POSITION DESCRIPTION Lecturer / Senior Lecturer in Crop Science and Agronomy Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences Vacancy: May 2016
POSITION DESCRIPTION Lecturer / Senior Lecturer in Crop Science and Agronomy Context Lincoln University is New Zealand s specialist, land-based University with a proud tradition as New Zealand s third oldest tertiary institution, founded in 1878 as a School of Agriculture. Today it is a research-led institution with an emphasis on land-based disciplines and their associated industries - agriculture, horticulture, viticulture, bio-technology, environmental science, environmental management, tourism, landscape architecture, sport & recreation and commerce. Lincoln University has three (3) Academic Faculties, two (2) Research Centres, two (2) Divisions and sixteen (16) Corporate Service Units, and draws its students from throughout New Zealand and from over 60 countries. The University has a student roll of around 3,500 and approximately 720 staff. The Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences comprises four departments: Agricultural Sciences; Ecology; Soil and Physical Sciences and Wine, Food and Molecular Biosciences. The Faculty is responsible for over 50% of all external research income to the University and has control of or access to over 1,000 ha land, including dryland and irrigated sheep farms, a deer farm, and commercial and research dairy farms which, together with specialized field and laboratory facilities for agronomy and animal nutritional studies, are used in both teaching and research. Plant science, crop and pasture agronomy are central to New Zealand s future as a cost-effective producer of food in sustainable production systems. The Department of Agricultural Sciences is responsible for teaching and research in the plant and animal sciences and in crop and livestock production. The teaching and research brings a strategic and applied focus to the technologies which are of particular relevance to New Zealand s low-cost export-oriented land-based industries. This position, within the Department of Agricultural Sciences, is designed to research and teach crop science and agronomy. Purpose The Lecturer / Senior Lecturer has an academic role in the university, with a principal focus on research, teaching, and administrative responsibilities, with the latter broadly encompassing service to the University and community including industry and professional communities. There are also expectations of Lecturer / Senior Lecturer staff with respect to extension and other professional activities. The depth and balance of these will change in relation to the seniority and development of the staff member. This position exists to further the pursuit and acquisition of knowledge and understanding by: teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students in crop science and agronomy; supervising postgraduate students research in crop science and agronomy; conducting research appropriate for the cropping and agronomy appropriate for major New Zealand farming situations; contributing to the functioning of the University. The position is designed to enhance understanding of all aspects of crop science and agronomy with a focus on developing a research lead programme that integrates and compliments other staff activities within the broader plant science discipline. Performance Based Research Fund (PBRF): Contribute actively to advancing the University s research culture and research outputs by developing personal and team-based research programmes in crop science and agronomy 2
Key Outputs Teaching This encompasses the following key tasks: Teaching of specialty subjects including contributions to diploma, undergraduate and post graduate papers in crop science and agronomy. Facilitating student learning in line with the Faculty s and University s goals and objectives. Supervising postgraduate students research to the standard required by the Dean of the Faculty. Maintaining office hours to provide support for student learning and development. Research This encompasses the following key tasks: Performance Based Research Fund (PBRF): Actively contributing to advancing the University s research culture and research outputs by developing personal and team-based research programmes as agreed with the Head of Department and Faculty Dean Supervising graduate research Engaging in collaborative research ventures with industry partners and other service providers Supervising postgraduate research programmes Preparing and publishing research findings in refereed journals Contributing to the Faculty research programme and research seminars Curriculum development, research and service collaboration with colleagues Attracting external research funding. Extending and transferring research results to the NZ cropping and pastoral industries to accelerate the uptake of new science and technology. Administration This encompasses the following key tasks: Contributing to the quality management programmes within the Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the university. Assist individual students by providing course advice, guidance and assistance with academic problems. Such other duties or rearrangement of responsibilities as may reasonably be required by the Head of Department and/or Faculty Dean. Key Performance Indicators Student learning is being facilitated in line with the Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences and University goals and objectives. Graduate research is being well supervised to the standard set with the Faculty Postgraduate committee and the University. Achieve above average in student teaching evaluation. A personal research programme (about 20-25% of working time) yields demonstrable outcomes, including peer-reviewed publications with at least 2 journal articles per year. Funding is being secured from research grants and contracts. Research findings are presented at national and international conferences. Actively submits research proposals for competitive research funding (internal and external) Actively engages in research which contributes to advancing the University s research culture and research outputs in crop science and agronomy Research results are effectively extended to the cropping and pasture industries. Collaboration is effective and valued by the relevant external partners. Appropriate collaboration is established with key individuals in the discipline area in other NZ universities and research organisations Participate in at least one Faculty or university committee. Participate in student recruitment programs. Participate in registration and course advising. All legal and University requirements are complied with in respect of the administration and management of all university records. 3
Key Outputs Complies with all legal and University requirements in respect of the administration and management of all university records. Health & Safety Becomes familiar, and comply, with all H&S policies and procedures. Complies with all Lincoln University legislative requirements in respect of occupational H&S. Reports any hazard that has come to your attention. Wears protective clothing/apparatus as required. Treaty of Waitangi Support the University to meet its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi. Other Any other duties as may be required and as agreed with the Head of Department and/or the Dean of the Faculty. Key Performance Indicators All Lincoln University H&S policies and procedures are complied with. All Lincoln University legislative requirements in respect of occupational health and safety are complied with. The employer is notified of any hazard that has come to the employee s attention in the course of their employment. Protective clothing/apparatus are used where procedures or common sense would warrant this. Demonstrates, and encourages others to demonstrate, support for the University s commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi. Any other duties that may be agreed are carried out in a professional manner. Staff Supervised This role is not responsible for the supervision of staff. Key Relationships The Lecturer / Senior Lecturer in Crop Science and Agronomy is expected to establish effective working relationships with: Staff in the Faculty of Agricultural and Life Sciences Academic staff in other Faculties of the University Other organisations involved in agriculture Accountability The Lecturer / Senior Lecturer in Crop Science and Agronomy reports to the Agricultural Sciences Head of Department, to the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences and thence the Vice-Chancellor. 4
Person Specification Qualifications A PhD in Agricultural Science, Plant Science, Agronomy, Crop Physiology. Experience Crop science and agronomy and research and teaching experience at a tertiary level is required. Evidence of teaching effectiveness and research potential are required. Evidence of ability to identify research opportunities and to encourage their realisation. A genuine desire to motivate and encourage postgraduate study in a discipline area and to foster research communication. A genuine interest in and evidence of ability for interaction with and transfer research results to the livestock industries. International perspective in teaching and/or research a plus. A strong record in postgraduate thesis supervision and the capacity to develop strong relationships with government, industry organisations and professional associations is desirable. An outstanding record of peer reviewed publications. Technical Skills Demonstrated competence in the analytical techniques of plant sciences, preferably bringing skills which will strengthen an ability to manage crops and pastures for production and environmental reasons. The ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and work cooperatively in the Departmental team is essential. Planning the ability to anticipate events and identify desirable outcomes developing a course of action resulting in the achievement of those outcomes. Achieving the ability to achieve identified goals within a specified timeframe. Personal Attributes A desire to establish exciting and effective teaching in the area of plant sciences. The ability to stimulate, encourage and facilitate learning by both large and small, student groups. The curiosity to understand, through scholarship and research, fundamental scientific processes currently limited an area of crop production or agronomy. The ability to effectively communicate insights developed to students, staff farmers, consultants and external organisations. The ability to encourage, teach and supervise postgraduate students and research staff. The ability to communicate with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds. The ability to develop, carry out and report on appropriate research and to generate the necessary funding. To work within the LU policies and promote a respectful working environment. The level of the appointment (Lecturer or Senior Lecturer) depends on the extent to which the appointee meets the requirements and expectations specified above and on his/her qualifications and experience. 5
CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT ACADEMIC STAFF Term of Appointment This is a continuing appointment. Hours of Work This is a full time appointment. Remuneration Salary on commencement will be commensurate with qualifications and experience within the range: $67,230 to $80,670 per annum [A6 Grade] on the Academic Staff Lecturer salary scale $85,910 - $111,250 per annum [A7 Grade] on the Academic Staff Senior Lecturer salary scale Employment Agreement If the appointee chooses to become a union member, the appointee will be bound by the Lincoln University Academic Staff Collective Employment Agreement. It contains a comprehensive range of conditions of employment for this position. Otherwise the appointee will have an Individual Employment Agreement based on the Lincoln University Academic Staff Collective Employment Agreement. The conditions outlined in this document are indicators of some of the key items of that agreement. Annual Leave Annual leave entitlement is six weeks per annum. The appointee is also entitled to statutory holidays in accordance with the Holidays Act. Professional Development A professional development programme will be negotiated with the appointee in order to maintain and develop teaching expertise, research and management activities, and to address the needs of the University. This programme may include overseas study leave, conference leave, attending courses or other training. Health and Safety The appointee will work and act at all times in compliance with all Lincoln University requirements in respect of occupational health and safety. University staff can join the Recreation Centre on campus. The Centre offers a wide range of facilities and services, for example: gymnasium, weights room, exercise classes, fitness assessments, massage, and squash courts. Relocation If the appointee resides outside the Christchurch area, relocation may be discussed with the successful applicant. Other Further information about Lincoln University can be found on our website: www.lincoln.ac.nz