Current Department Openings:
Assistant Professor - AI for Agriculture and Natural Resources (tenure-track) – JR 103283:
Assistant Professor - AI for Agriculture and Natural Resources (tenure-track) JR 103283
In Animal and Avian Science, or Environmental Science and Technology, or Veterinary Medicine, or Nutrition and Food Science, or Plant Science and Landscape Architecture
Description:
- This is a 9-month, tenure-track faculty
- Salary range: $95,000 - $110,000. The University offers a comprehensive benefits package.
- Anticipated start date: August 2026
- For best consideration, applications should be submitted by Feb. 28, 2026. Applications will be accepted until a suitable candidate is identified.
Position Summary:
The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Maryland seeks candidates with expertise in utilizing AI and machine learning to improve decision making in agriculture, agroecology, and/or natural resources. Applications are invited for one or more tenure-track faculty positions (a cluster hire) at the rank of Assistant Professor with a 60% research and 40% teaching appointment. Faculty will be members of one of these departments based on their disciplinary expertise and research interests: Animal and Avian Sciences, Environmental Science and Technology, Veterinary Medicine, Nutrition and Food Science, or Plant Science and Landscape Architecture. Depending on the department's needs, the exact split of the position's research and teaching responsibilities is negotiable at the time of appointment. The successful candidate will join a collaborative, interdisciplinary research community at UMD, with opportunities to collaborate with the AI Interdisciplinary Institute at Maryland (AIM), Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station (MAES), and regional stakeholders involved in agricultural and environmental management for rural and urban ecosystems.
Applicants may also be considered for a joint appointment with AIM. Ultimately, we seek individuals interested in applying AI to benefit Maryland residents and farmers in support of UMD’s Land Grant mission. Candidates’ disciplinary backgrounds could include, but are not limited to, agricultural engineering, agronomy, animal or avian science, aquaculture, computer science, environmental science, food science, horticulture, natural resources management, human or animal nutrition, plant science, biology, genetics, plant pathology, veterinary medicine, or related fields.
Successful candidates will have experience/expertise applying AI in big data analytics, sensors, computer vision, robotics, remote sensing, precision agriculture, biological systems, molecular biology, precision nutrition, microbiome, wearable technology for health or performance monitoring, gene discovery, or other relevant technologies to solve current community/agriculture/environmental problems.
Specific areas of research opportunity include:
Utilizing AI to accelerate the discovery of strategies leading to improved health outcomes of humans, plants, animals, and the environment,
Application of AI-enabled surveillance or remote sensing systems, for monitoring and risk assessment in plant, animal, human, or natural ecosystems
Applying AI to promote human health by increasing the nutritional value of foods and/or increasing food safety,
AI applications in precision agriculture to reduce production inputs
Utilizing AI to accelerate gene discovery, programmed gene expression, and de novo protein design to develop new strategies/plants/vaccines for enhanced resistance to abiotic stressors and pathogens,
AI applications to support communication and policy analysis, sustainable design and green infrastructure planning, and ethics and governance across plant, animal, and/or environmental systems
More information about the departments of Animal and Avian Sciences, Environmental Science and Technology, Veterinary Medicine, Nutrition and Food Science, and Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, and existing faculty expertise and teams can be gleaned from their websites.
Position Responsibilities:
Establish and maintain an externally funded research program in one or more research areas listed above.
Develop and teach new courses in AI and data science applications in animal and plant-based agriculture, environmental science and technology, veterinary medicine, or nutrition and food science at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Disseminate research findings through peer-reviewed publications and presentations at national and international conferences.
Recruit and mentor graduate and undergraduate students.
Provide academic advising for undergraduate majors and contribute to graduate education.
Collaborate with faculty across departments, colleges, and external organizations to promote interdisciplinary research and outreach.
Participate in departmental, college, and university service activities and governance.
Minimum Qualifications:
Ph.D. in Animal Science, Agricultural Science, Environmental Science, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Nutrition and Food Science, Veterinary Science, Data Science, Computer Science, Plant Science or Biology, Genetics, Horticulture, Agronomy, Plant Pathology, or related areas.
Demonstrated experience developing and applying AI, ML, or data analytics to the above-mentioned research areas.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Evidence of scholarly publications in peer-reviewed journals.
Potential to develop and sustain a funded, high-impact research program.
Experience presenting research results at national or international meetings.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience applying innovative, data-driven approaches integrating AI, geospatial analysis, remote sensing, etc. in animal- and/or plant-based agriculture, environmental science and technology, veterinary medicine, plant science/biology, or nutrition and food science.
Experience with programming languages (e.g., Python, R), AI/ML tools (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch), or GIS and remote sensing platforms.
Teaching experience at the college or university level.
Experience working collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams and engaging with agricultural and environmental stakeholders.
To Apply:
- You may access a .pdf version of the job announcement here.
Cover letter outlining interest in the position that includes a statement of the department that would be a best-fit tenure home
Curriculum Vitae
Brief Research Statement highlighting research accomplishments and ongoing and future research goals
Brief Teaching and Mentoring Statement detailing your teaching interests and experience (both within the home discipline and potential interdisciplinary teaching) and mentoring experience
Published Scholarly Works that demonstrate prior research experience using AI/ML in the discipline
A list of three Professional References. Requests for letters of reference will be made only for the candidates who are selected for final interviews.
Applications must be submitted through UMD Workday Jobs:
Lecturer – Animal Sciences (JR 102667):
Description:
- This is a 9-month, Full-Time Lecturer, Non-Tenure Faculty.
- For best consideration, applications should be submitted by Dec 1, 2025. Applications will be accepted until a suitable candidate is identified.
Responsibilities:
The Department of Animal and Avian Sciences (ANSC) at the University of Maryland, College Park, is seeking a dynamic, student-focused Lecturer to advance teaching and experiential learning. The Lecturer will deliver engaging and applied instruction, advise students, and liaise with employers to identify and coordinate educational internship opportunities. Strong candidates will be passionate about connecting students with hands-on experiences, fostering professional development, and using innovative approaches to provide students with a strong and well-rounded foundation in animal and avian sciences. Additional responsibilities include:
- Teach ANSC 201: Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals every fall and spring
semester. - Supervise one lab coordinator and graduate teaching assistants to deliver three weekly ANSC 201 labs.
- Teach ANSC 359: Internship Experience in Animal and Avian Sciences in the fall, spring, and summer semesters (with compensation for summer teaching).
- Coordinate the undergraduate internship program, including developing internship
opportunities and maintaining partnerships with industry stakeholders. - Advise students on plans of study, professional development, and career opportunities.
- Lead career-readiness initiatives including an internship and career newsletter and an annual departmental career night.
- Teach additional animal science courses consistent with expertise and as needs arise.
- Contribute to departmental service and student success initiatives as appropriate.
Required Qualifications:
- Master's degree in Animal Science or a closely related discipline.
- Teaching experience at the collegiate level.
- Experience working with livestock and other domestic animals.
- Strong communication and organizational skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Doctorate in Animal Science or a closely related discipline or Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
- Demonstrated excellence in teaching at the college or university level.
- Experience teaching courses in anatomy, physiology, or related animal/biological sciences.
- Supervisory experience with graduate teaching assistants, interns, or staff.
- Knowledge of relevant animal industries and evidence of developing partnerships with external stakeholders.
Salary and Benefits:
- Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications.
- The University of Maryland offers an extensive benefits package.
To Apply:
- You may access a .pdf version of the job announcement here.
- Include a cover letter addressed to Dr. Adele Turzillo, Department of
Animal and Avian Sciences, University of Maryland which includes a summary of teaching
experience; a CV - An unofficial transcript
- A list with the names and contact information of three professional references.
- Applications must be submitted through UMD Workday Jobs:
