Position Description

Faculty Position Available
Cohort Hire: Revolutionizing Controlled Environment Agriculture

Focus: Crop Physiology

School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University

Position:            Assistant Professor, Tenure-track

Location:           Ithaca, NY. The academic home for this position is the School of Integrative Plant Science (SIPS) in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, housed on the Ithaca campus of Cornell University.

The School of Integrative Plant Science (SIPS) in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at Cornell University invites applications for a 9-month, full-time tenure-track position in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Crop Physiology at the Assistant Professor level. Our new colleague will join a Cohort Faculty Hire in Revolutionizing Controlled Environment Agriculture. In addition to this advertised hire, the cohort includes recently hired faculty in insect ecology, plant pathology, engineering, and an anticipated hire in food systems economics. The new faculty hires will play an integral role in the design of a planned CALS investment in new CEA facilities.

The CALS Roadmap to 2050 encourages collaborating across the university, our network of partners, and diverse communities to solve the world’s leading challenges. The Roadmap identified Transdisciplinary Moonshots - opportunities for the CALS community to collaborate on future-focused, cross-disciplinary scientific breakthroughs and to align research, education, and extension programs for greater impact and stronger connectivity. The Moonshot areas build upon core strengths in CALS, spanning the agricultural, life, environmental and social sciences.

The Revolutionizing Controlled Environmental Agriculture cohort will develop productive and sustainable CEA systems that are energy and resource efficient, adaptable to biotic and abiotic stressors, and responsive to changing demographics and markets. Current production of specialty crops is challenged by a myriad of factors, which are amplified by extreme and erratic climatic events that devastate crops and favor the establishment of invasive pests and diseases. CEA systems, such as greenhouses and high tunnels, can offer year-round production and season-extension of high nutrient density fruits, vegetables, herbs, and medicinal-grade plant products. CEA is an expanding approach to address climate change and other challenges for crop production. CEA systems, ranging from partially to fully enclosed facilities, have the potential to provide an extended and more stable environment for crop production with enhanced protection against extreme weather events, food-borne pathogens, and pests and diseases. These systems create opportunities for streamlining farm labor and advancing production techniques using artificial intelligence and robotics. CEA systems will also help to stabilize supply-chain issues and export market timing, thus expanding market potential and opportunities to provide more equitable access to food and other products.

We are seeking a candidate who will develop an innovative research and teaching program in crop physiology of food and/or medicinal specialty crops adapted for controlled environments with economic impact in New York State and beyond. The successful candidate will use novel methodologies, digital tools, and sensors to understand and optimize CEA crop physiology and quality in response to environmental factors and towards efficient and sustainable production.  New crops and changing production technologies are constantly envisioned for CEA and are limited, in part, by cultural management knowledge, productivity, and market demand. The faculty member will develop a nationally/internationally recognized program on production strategies and environmental physiology to maximize crop productivity, environmental sustainability, and economic efficiency. Research opportunities within the context of CEA specialty crops include, but not are limited to, strategies to improve nutritional quality or shelf-life, plant secondary metabolism, analytical chemistry, molecular biology, high-throughput phenotyping, crop modeling, energy efficient crop production, CEA systems energy modeling, and development of new crop and management protocols. The successful candidate will work closely with CEA producers, Cornell faculty, and Cornell Cooperative Extension specialists to prioritize research needs and translate results to drive a more profitable and resource-efficient industry resulting in healthier individuals and communities. The candidate is expected to secure funding from sources that include federal and state agencies, foundations, the private sector, and agricultural interest groups.

We seek a record of outstanding peer-reviewed scholarship, grant writing, excellence in and commitment to teaching, translation of knowledge, and advising and mentoring of students, relative to career stage. We seek a colleague with an outstanding record demonstrating success and promise across all these areas, and who will be supported by and contribute to a vibrant culture of inclusive excellence at Cornell.

Responsibilities:

This position has an effort split of 50% research and 50% teaching. Service and advising are expected within these effort allocations.

Research (50%). Outstanding research scholarship relative to career stage is expected in physiology of specialty crops in CEA. The candidate will develop an internationally recognized and externally funded program in CEA crop physiology. Excellence in and devotion to development of interdisciplinary team-based research and training programs is essential.

Teaching (50%).  The candidate will develop undergraduate or graduate courses in their area of expertise. Expectations for a 50% teaching appointment typically align with a teaching load of approximately 2–3 courses per academic year, with final assignments based on curricular needs and instructional formats. The successful candidate will be expected to deliver an existing course such as PLSCI 3025/5025 Hydroponic Food Crop Production (4 credits) or PLSCI 4175 Production and Management of Greenhouse Crops (4 credits), create another upper division undergraduate or graduate course such as on plant physiology of CEA crops, and contribute to the development of a team taught course with the new CEA cohort such as integrated management of pests, diseases, and abiotic stresses in CEA, or climate control in CEA.

Qualifications: The successful candidate will have a Ph.D. by the time of appointment in Horticulture, Plant Science, Crop Science, Plant Biology or a related discipline, with enthusiasm to apply this knowledge to specialty crops in CEA systems.  A commitment to research and teaching in SIPS and to the development of interdisciplinary team-based research and teaching programs with a collegial atmosphere is essential. Well-qualified applicants are expected to have a demonstrated record of publication, teaching, mentoring, and industry impact relative to career stage. Preferred qualifications include postdoctoral or industry experience in CEA, the aptitude to work as part of a team, and the skills needed to communicate effectively with students, colleagues, and broader audiences. Previous specific experience working in CEA is not a requirement to apply for this position, but the successful candidate must be willing to apply their expertise to dedicated research/teaching in this area.

Affiliation: The successful candidate will be a tenure-track faculty member of the Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences based in the School of Integrative Plant Science. The new faculty member will also be part of the CEA Initiative at Cornell as a member of the cohort of faculty hires focusing on Revolutionizing Controlled Environment Agriculture. A mentoring program will support the personal and professional development of the new faculty member, providing advocacy, guidance, and assistance.

Applications and Starting Date: The anticipated starting date is January 2027, or as negotiated.  Qualified applicants should submit their application as a single PDF file including: 1) a cover letter briefly summarizing background, qualifications, and interest in the position as well as addressing leadership in collaboration, team efforts, and the experience needed to communicate effectively with students, colleagues, and broader audiences (2 page maximum); 2) a curriculum vitae (including contributions to grant writing/external funding); 3) a research statement outlining experience, interests, and goals in CEA research (4 page maximum); 4) a statement outlining teaching and mentoring experience, interests, and goals (2 page maximum); 5) copies of no more than four relevant publications; 6) names and contact information of four references who can speak to the applicant’s suitability for this position (letters will be requested later after initial review from select applications using Academic Jobs Online); and 7) academic transcripts (unofficial is acceptable). Materials should be submitted online to https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/32165. Applications received by September 10, 2026 will be given full consideration. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

This is an in-person position. The successful candidate will be expected to relocate within commuting distance of Ithaca, NY. Relocation assistance may be provided. Finalists for this position will be asked to sign an affidavit that they have not been found to have violated employer policies at their previous institutions.

Consistent with Cornell’s practice, appointments to academic positions require candidates to disclose relevant information about their prior employment including whether they have been found to have violated institutional or employer policies related to or governing unlawful discrimination and harassment, academic and research misconduct, or financial misconduct.

Inquiries may be directed to:

Search chair: Professor Neil Mattson

School of Integrative Plant Science

Cornell University

Ithaca, NY 14853

Email: nsm47@cornell.edu

In compliance with New York's Pay Transparency Law, the annual base salary range for this assistant professor position is $90,000 - $135,000 . This pay range represents base pay (for 9 months). Cornell University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Cornell University seeks to meet the needs of dual career couples, has a Dual Career program, and is a member of the Upstate New York Higher Education Recruitment Consortium to assist with dual career searches including positions available in higher education in the upstate New York area.

The new faculty member will join a collaborative, interdisciplinary community on the main campus in Ithaca, New York.  Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League and Land-grant university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students, and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery, and engagement.

Cornell’s regional and global presence includes state-wide Cornell Cooperative Extension programs and offices in all counties and boroughs, global partnerships with institutions and communities engaged in life-changing research and education, the medical college’s campuses on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and Doha, Qatar, and the Cornell Tech campus on Roosevelt Island in the heart of New York City.

With a founding principle of “…any person…any study,” Cornell is an equal opportunity employer.