The University of Guelph, Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) seeks a Chair for its Department of Plant Agriculture.  The successful candidate, for this Guelph campus position, will serve an initial five-year term and will hold a tenured faculty appointment in the department. The Chair will be a member of the executive of OAC and be an active member of the OAC Deans Council.

The Plant Agriculture Department encompasses applied bioinformatics and molecular genetics field; horticultural and greenhouse crops; plant breeding; turf and grassland studies; environmental sustainability; and the post-harvest application of biomaterials for food, health products, fibres and industrial products.  Plant Agriculture is a large department, with annual expenditures of $9.3 million, in 2008/09, supporting 36 faculty, 39 permanent staff, 60 contract staff, and over 100 graduate students who are concentrated primarily at the Guelph campus and at the Ridgetown campus as well as at Simcoe and Vineland.  World class research facilities provide excellent working conditions. Faculty profiles, their activities and further description of the department are available at: http://www.plant.uoguelph.ca.

The preferred candidate will be a successful researcher and educator, possessing a Ph.D. and record of scholarly accomplishments related to one of the primary disciplines in Plant Agriculture. A commitment to teaching excellence, life-long learning and learner-centred education is essential.  (S)he will offer a vision and leadership including strong organizational, interpersonal and communication skills.  Success in leading interdisciplinary teams is essential as is an understanding of human resource management and the ability to develop and execute new initiatives.  The Chair must have an understanding of the agri-food industry and an ability to interact with government, producer, environmental and consumer groups. (S)he will also have a capacity to contribute to fundraising and advancement priorities.

Applications will be treated in confidence and should include a curriculum vitae and the names and addresses of three persons who may be contacted as referees at a later date.  Deadline date for applications is June 25, 2010

Applications and nominations should be submitted to:

Dr. Robert J. Gordon
Dean, Ontario Agricultural College
University of Guelph
Guelph Ontario N1G 2W1
Fax: (519) 766-1423 or
email: rjgordon@uoguelph.ca