Assistant Professor in Digital Agriculture/Smart Farming

The Department of Agriculture is committed to promoting sustainable food production through cutting-edge research, education, and outreach. The department is looking to pursue a vigorous research agenda for Smart Agriculture through interdisciplinary collaborations with other departments and organizations in Lebanon and the region that will transform agriculture in Lebanon and the MENA region and foster practical innovations and support entrepreneurship. The Department provides state-of-the-art facilities and resources to support teaching and research activities. These include a 100 ha research and education center (AREC) located in the heart of the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon equipped with a wide range of agricultural facilities. The successful candidate will have access to these resources, improve them, and be expected to utilize them to advance their research program and enhance their teaching. Engagement at AREC as described above and potentially through conducting outreach activities is essential and expected from the successful candidate.

The successful candidate will be responsible for teaching courses related to Precision/smart agriculture at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Courses may include any of the following: Autonomy in Agriculture (both Crops & Livestock), Advanced Machinery, Intensive Horticulture, High-throughput phenotyping, prescription fertilization, site-specific pesticide application, variable-rate seeding, greenhouse automation, vertical farming, hydroponics, and other advanced topics in horticulture/fertilizer technologies. The candidate will also be expected to develop new courses that contribute to the Department’s mission and curricula and align with the candidate’s interest, and integrate new technologies and techniques into their teaching.

The successful candidate will conduct research in any of the above-mentioned areas. The candidate will be expected to secure external funding to support their research program and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to develop innovative solutions to current challenges in the field. The successful candidate will be expected to participate in departmental and university service activities. This may include serving on committees, participating in outreach activities, and contributing to the development and maintenance of academic programs.

Required Qualifications:

A Ph.D. is required at the time of appointment in agronomy, horticulture, precision agriculture, digital agriculture, agricultural engineering, machinery, or a closely related discipline. In addition, the successful candidate should have a record of scholarly achievement that includes publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at national and international conferences, along with outstanding oral and written communication skills.

Special Instructions to the Applicant:

Interested applicants should submit by May 1, 2024, a complete curriculum vitae, a research statement, service statement, and teaching philosophy, along with a list of relevant professional academic degrees and experiences and names and addresses of three professional references electronically to FAFS Dean' Office at fafs@aub.edu.lb. Letters of reference must not accompany the application. Applicants should ask the referees to send their letters directly to FAFS Dean' Office at the above address. Recruitment will continue until the position is filled.