COLLEGE OF FOOD, AGRICULTURAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
Department: School of Environment and Natural Resources
Position: Soil and Environmental Mineralogy
Rank: Assistant Professor
Description:
The School of Environment and Natural Resources in the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental
Science at The Ohio State University is seeking an individual with research and teaching interests in pure
and applied soil and environmental mineralogy. The incumbent will develop a program focused on carbon
capture in the Earth’s critical zone. She or he should have demonstrated success in working collaboratively
with others and should have interest in joining the Soil and Environmental Sciences and other faculty
groups to address complex environmental issues ranging from the molecular to regional watershed scale.
Research emphasis on bio-based and solid-earth based material science regarding organic and inorganic C,
and organometallic speciation in soils and terrestrial environmental media. Expertise in traditional soil
mineralogical techniques (i.e. X-ray diffraction), and advanced molecular scale micro-analytical mineralogy
and spectroscopy is desirable. The incumbent is expected to develop an internationally recognized research
and teaching program.
This will be a full time, 9 month, tenure-track appointment to begin fall semester 2015. This position is
partially funded by Ohio State's Discovery Themes Initiative, a significant faculty hiring investment in key
thematic areas in which the university can build on its culture of academic collaboration to make a global
impact. The incumbent will be engaged in the Discovery Themes program on Sustainable and Resilient
Economy (https://discovery.osu.edu/focus-areas/sustainable-economy), which takes a holistic approach to
understanding how production and consumption systems are linked to ecological systems, and how society
can achieve more sustainable and resilient development. This program aims to stimulate innovations that
enhance the value and reduce the adverse impacts of material flows through the economy and society, and
to provide a rigorous evaluation of the costs, benefits, and potential hidden consequences of changes in
technology, policy, and the natural environment.
Specific expectations and responsibilities include:
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Developing an externally-funded, nationally recognized research program in soil science and novel
materials for soil carbon capture and preservation. The individual is expected to seek appropriate
interdisciplinary alliances including team research within School of Environment and Natural
Resources, and the Sustainable and Resilient Economy program. Publication of research in
refereed scientific journals is expected.
Teaching relevant to soil / environmental science and other academic majors in SENR including an
undergraduate course in soil / environmental science, and graduate level courses in (i) soil /
environmental mineralogy and (ii) permanence of carbon capture in soil and the environment.
Faculty responsibilities include advising and mentoring undergraduate students, including honors
students, as well as assist with advising student organizations. Advise and mentor graduate
students in the Environment and Natural Resources Graduate Program with the opportunity to also
contribute to graduate education in other related graduate degree programs at The Ohio State
University.
COLLEGE OF FOOD, AGRICULTURAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
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Work collaboratively on interdisciplinary teams with other University faculty/personnel,
government agencies, non-government organizations, and citizen groups to advance the land grant
mission of the University
Salary/Support:
Salary is dependent on qualifications and experience. The Ohio State University offers one of the most
comprehensive benefits packages in the nation, which includes medical, dental, vision, and life insurance;
tuition authorization; paid vacation and sick leave; ten paid holidays; and State Teachers Retirement System
of Ohio (STRS) or an Alternative Retirement Program. A start-up package, including discretionary funding,
will be provided.
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion:
The Ohio State University is committed to establishing a culturally and intellectually diverse environment,
encouraging all members of our learning community to reach their full potential. We are responsive to
dual-career families and strongly promote work-life balance to support our community members through a
suite of institutionalized policies. We are an NSF Advance Institution and a member of the Ohio/Western
Pennsylvania/West Virginia Higher Education Recruitment Consortium.
This position is located in Columbus, Ohio.
Qualifications:
Applicants are expected to have earned a Ph.D. with strong academic background and experience in soil
and environmental mineralogy including using advanced spectroscopy (i.e., NMR, TEM) with application
to carbon storage and permanence. A record of peer-reviewed publications and demonstrated potential for
developing extramural funding are essential; post-doctoral training and confirmed teaching experience are
preferred. We are especially interested in individuals capable of interfacing with faculty having core
interests in other disciplines including natural resource sciences. The successful candidate will also
demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills and desire to collaborate. Preferred
qualifications include experience mentoring members of underrepresented groups and experience
developing or working in interdisciplinary research teams.
Application Instructions:
The deadline for applications is September 7, 2015 or until a suitable candidate is identified. Applicants
should send the following: 1) letter of interest summarizing areas of expertise, research interests, teaching
philosophy, career goals, and experience appropriate to the position; 2) resume that includes a listing of
course titles and where taken for mineralogy and soil sciences; 3) copies of three relevant publications or
reports and 4) a list of three references, including complete mailing addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail
addresses. These materials must be submitted as a single pdf file and sent as an e-mail attachment to Dr.
Nicholas Basta, Search Committee Chair, at basta.4@osu.edu School of Environment and Natural
Resources, The Ohio State University.