Senior Lecturer/Lecturer in Farming System Adaptation (5 Year Fixed-term)

The School of Environmental and Rural Science is one of the largest and most respected agricultural and environmental science Schools in Australia, with over 85 academics, 100 postgraduate students and approaching 1000 undergraduates with excellent links to Industry.  The School's activities are research-led, covering a wide range of disciplines.  The School is seeking to appoint an academic staff member in the agronomy discipline to teach and undertake research in farming system adaptation that secures food and fibre production in Australia, against the challenges of climate change, drought, increasing herbicide resistance, the invasion of pests, weeds and diseases, rising fertilizer costs, and demand for specific grain quality by end users.

We are seeking an appointee with appropriate industry experience and understanding of crop sequencing and species selection, adaptation to changing environmental conditions with respect to water and nutrition, the role of legumes in rotations to manage disease and nitrogen status of paddocks and the ability to integrate livestock into farm systems to increase flexibility, profitability and sustainability of mixed farming systems.   They will have a foundation in agro-ecology, experience in teaching and evidence of productive collaborative relationships with industry and researchers. An understanding of farm system models and their application to both research and teaching environments is desirable.

This is a five-year fixed-term position with the possibility of further appointment, and/or conversion to a continuing appointment, subject to satisfactory performance and the availability of funding.  Consideration may be given to filling the position on a less than full-time basis.  The successful applicant will be supported to undertake research and to seek further funding opportunities to maintain a position within the School beyond the initial five-year appointment.

This position would ideally suit someone who wishes to further develop their career focus while also having the desire for a life-style change in beautiful Armidale, in the New England region, NSW, Australia. Armidale is surrounded by world heritage national parks, is only 2 hours from the mid north coast and is a unique country town that offers all the facilities of a city. Recognised as a centre for culture, Armidale is well served for art, music, theatre and education, both public and private.

Informal enquiries may be directed to Professor Iain Young on ers@une.edu.au.  For further information about the School visit www.une.edu.au/ers

Please ensure that the coversheet is attached to your application. Instructions on how to send your application to the University are available on this coversheet.

Your application should include: the reference number; a curriculum vitae; a statement that addresses the selection criteria; and names, addresses, telephone numbers, facsimile numbers/email addresses of three relevant referees.

Applications must be received by 5pm on the closing date .

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