Jobs at Member Institutions & APLU

South Dakota State University (SDSU) Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering Department (ABED) is offering an exciting career opportunity for a creative and innovative professional to join us as an Assistant Professor of Precision Agriculture AI Engineering. This is a nine-month, full-time, benefits-eligible, tenure-track, faculty position in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD. This position is supervised by the Klingbeil Endowed Department Head of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering.

South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to this land-grant mission of access.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The appointment will be 20% teaching and 80% research as part of the Agricultural Experiment Station responsibilities. The incumbent will develop a Nationally Competitive Research Program in Precision Agriculture AI Engineering. This incumbent will be expected to focus on the next generation of precision agriculture by developing new agricultural technologies based on AI. This incumbent will develop an AI powered electronic consultant to aid decisions at all levels of the farming operation including testing scenarios regarding generational transition and long-term success when considering investment in land, equipment, inputs, and on-going management. This incumbent will have expertise in integrating SD Mesonet data into several precision agricultural technologies including livestock operations. This position will require close working relationships within the Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering Department, all faculty and staff on campus involved in precision agriculture, SD Mesonet and other departments on the SDSU campus, commodity associations, granting agencies, and other Universities.

 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• D. degree in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering or closely related discipline by date of appointment.
• Ability to develop a quality research program to focus on the next generation of precision agriculture by developing new agricultural technologies based on AI.
• Ability to present and publish research results.
• Ability to secure extramural funding.
• Must be able to interact and communicate effectively (both verbally and in writing) with colleagues, staff, students, producer groups, and other clientele.
• Skills in teamwork and interpersonal relations.
• Must have a valid driver’s license, or ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire and be willing to travel.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge of Midwest or Great Plains agricultural production practices.
• Ability to monitor network design and big data analysis.
• Ability or potential to mentor and support graduate students.
• Relevant teaching experience.
• Registered or eligible to pursue registration as a Professional Engineer.

SALARY:

Commensurate with qualifications

 BENEFITS:

South Dakota State University offers a wide range of benefits including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave.  Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions.

UNIVERSITY AND THE BROOKINGS COMMUNITY:

South Dakota State University is the state’s largest, most comprehensive university with more than 200 academic programs, an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students, and over $60 million annual research expenditures.

South Dakota State University offers a rich academic experience in an environment of inclusion and access through inspired, student-centered education, creative activities and research, innovation and engagement that improve the quality of life in South Dakota, the region, the nation and the world. Its employees embrace the university’s core values of being people-centered, expanding knowledge through creativity, embracing organizational and personal integrity, commitment to diversity of thought, and excellence through continuous improvement.

The ABED includes approximately 30 faculty and staff members, over 20 graduate students, and over 220 undergraduate students, of which approximately a third are in the Precision Agriculture major delivered jointly by the ABED and the Agronomy, Horticulture, and Plant Sciences Department. The other undergraduate majors are Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering and Agricultural Systems Technology. Graduate Programs include an M.S. in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, and Ph.D. offerings in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering and Biological Sciences – Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering emphasis. Research and Extension outreach is focused on precision agriculture, bioprocessing, food and biorenewable processing, rural and urban livestock production systems, land and water, climate, and 4-H STEM. The department houses the Mesonet at SDState, South Dakota’s live weather network, which provides accurate weather updates every five minutes to increase agricultural efficiency, and the Water Resources Institute, which provides leadership on evolving water concerns and problems faced by South Dakota citizens. More department information is available at https://www.sdstate.edu/agricultural-and-biosystems-engineering.

As the state’s 1862 Morrill Act land-grant institution, the work of South Dakota State University is carried out on its main resident campus in Brookings, at sites in Sioux Falls, Pierre, Rapid City, and Aberdeen, and through Extension offices and Agricultural Experiment Station research sites across South Dakota.

Jackrabbits Athletics competes as an NCAA Division I member with membership in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, the Summit League and the Big XII for wrestling.

Brookings is home to approximately 24,000 residents and is located 60 miles north of Sioux Falls and 200 miles west of Minneapolis. Brookings is listed as an ideal community for families, students, young professionals and retirees, and is rated among the safest and most vibrant cities in South Dakota.

The Brookings Public School District educates approximately 3,300 K-12 students and ranks among the state’s highest academic achieving school districts. The district includes three elementary schools, an intermediate school for fourth and fifth grade, one middle school, and a high school.

The city also boasts an abundance of attractions and activities, including the Children’s Museum of South Dakota, Dakota Nature Park, South Dakota Art Museum, McCrory Gardens, South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum, Outdoor Adventure Center and the Brookings Summer Arts Festival.

 APPLICATION DEADLINE: 

Position is open until filled with full consideration given to applications received by May 26, 2023.

 APPLICATION PROCESS:

South Dakota State University accepts applications through an online employment site.  To apply, visit:  https://yourfuture.sdbor.edu, search by the position title, view the job announcement, and click on “apply for this job.”  This system will guide you through the electronic application form. This employment site will also require the attachment of a cover letter, which should specifically address how the candidate meets the qualifications as outlined in the advertisement, Curriculum Vitae, research statement (attached as writing sample), teaching philosophy (attached as other), and a reference page with the contact information for three professional references. Email applications will not be accepted.  Please contact South Dakota State University Human Resources at 605-688-4128 if you require assistance with this process.

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies, including but not limited to, successful completion of a criminal background check.

South Dakota State University is a tobacco free environment. It is university policy to maintain a drug-free environment and to thereby establish, promote, and maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment for employees and students.  This position is subject to South Dakota State University’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy 4:14.

For questions on the position, contact Dr. Young Chang at 605-688-5610 or Young.Chang@sdstate.edu.

South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to this land-grant access mission. SDSU is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to, and SDSU prohibits discrimination on, the basis of sex, race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, gender, gender identification, transgender, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status that may become protected under law against discrimination in the offering of all educational programs and employment opportunities. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by emailing HR@sdstate.edu. Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact: Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Morrill Hall 100, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007, 605-688-4128.