This position is a 10-month tenure track assistant professor position in quantitative genetics/biostatistics. The incumbent will have shared responsibilities in Plant Science, Animal and Range Science and Math/Statistics Departments at SDSU and collaborate with the Governor's 2010 Drought Tolerance Center. The position is a 90/10% research/teaching appointment with 70% appointment in Plant Science, 20% appointment in Animal and Range Science, and 10% appointment in Math/Statistics. The incumbent will develop independent and collaborative research programs with scientists in the ABS College to strengthen the areas of plant and animal breeding and genomics.

The SDSU ABS College has 10 Departments with a strong commitment to excellence in teaching and cuttingedge research. The Plant Science Department has 35 tenure track faculty in crops/breeding/genetics, soils/environmental sciences and pest management. The Animal and Range Sciences Department has 25 faculty in diverse disciplines, including nutrition, physiology, meat science, cell biology, range ecology, and genetics. Both Plant and Animal and Range Sciences Departments offer BS, MS, and Ph.D. degree programs with a variety of specializations. The Department of Mathematics and Statistics within the College of Engineering offers both M.S. and Ph.D. programs with the department particularly strong in the areas of biometrics and computational biology. The Drought Tolerance Center is a virtual center, with faculty collaborating across departments to investigate the impact of abiotic and biotic stresses on plant systems blending basic and applied techniques.

General description of duties:

1. Conduct independent and collaborative agriculturally-based research with plant, animal, and statistics faculty in the area of quantitative genetics and/or biostatistics.
2. Provide consultation in experimental design and/or applied statistical methods in the study of quantitative biology, genetics, and genomics that the incumbent may or may not have assisted in planning, but where refinements would be helpful.
3. Provide instruction to scientists, staff, and students on the use of current major statistical analysis programs and developing specialized applications. Develop graduate level courses in applied statistics, biometry, or quantitative methods through the Math/Stat Department that are relevant to students in Plant and Animal Sciences.

Research responsibilities: (90%)
Research activities of the incumbent will include both independent and collaborative statistical research with plant and animal scientists and statistics faculty. The incumbent will be expected to develop research programs based in quantitative genetics and/or biostatistics in plant or animal sciences, genomics, or other agriculturallyrelated fields such as entomology or plant pathology that have application directly or indirectly to state, regional, or national agricultural problems and initiatives. Collaborating with researchers in the Plant Science, Animal and Range Science and Drought Tolerance Center in the general areas of plant and animal genomics are expected. The incumbent will provide statistical consulting services for faculty, research staff and students in the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences as appropriate. This area of responsibility may include discussions of statistical design of new or ongoing projects that the incumbent may or may not have assisted in planning, but where refinements would be helpful.

Teaching responsibilities (10%)
Develop courses for graduate level applied statistics, biometry, or quantitative methods for students in Plant and Animal Sciences. Development of courses that are of interest to the incumbent is negotiable.

Qualifications Required:

• Earned Ph.D. in plant breeding, animal breeding, biostatistics, or related fields with emphasis in quantitative genetics.
  
• Demonstrated ability to publish and present research results.
  
• Demonstrated ability to develop collaborative projects with colleagues that incorporate diverse multidisciplinary techniques.
  
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
  

Desired:

• Demonstrated consulting experience on varied agricultural statistic research topics
  
• Demonstrated grant writing experience
  
• Demonstrated effectiveness in teaching
  

SALARY: Commensurate with qualifications.

CLOSING DATE: December 1, 2008 or until filled

APPLICATIONS:
Applications will be considered as they are received with closing date of December 1 or until filled. To apply, visit: https://yourfuture.sdbor.edu , search by the position title, view the job announcement, and click on "apply for this posting." The system will guide you through the electronic application form. The employment site will also require the attachment of a letter of application, CV, and the names, addresses and phone numbers of four (4) current professional references. For application to be considered complete, attach copies of academic transcrips. Please contact SDSU Human Resources at (605) 688-4128 if you require assistance with this process. For further information on the position contact:

Dr. Sharon Clay
Department of Plant Science
South Dakota State University, Box 2140C Brookings, SD 57007
Telephone: 605-688-4757
E-mail: sharon.clay@sdstate.edu

South Dakota State University is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity and the diversity of its faculty, staff and students. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made at TTY (605) 688-4394. SDSU prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, gender, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran's status or any other protected class in the offering of all educational programs and employment opportunities. Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact: Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Administration 324, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007. Phone: (605) 688-4128.