MACHINE SYSTEMS FACULTY POSITION IN AGRICULTURAL AND BIOLOGICAL ENGINEERING AT PURDUE UNIVERSITY

The agricultural machinery industry has a significant demand for engineers and related technology support specialists who have a strong background in agricultural systems and the integration of machines, sensors, and actuators. The Purdue University ABE program is one of several in the Midwest that supply engineers to fulfill this need. This position complements a faculty cluster being hired in the area of digital agriculture. Digital agriculture has the potential to create a continuum from the sensing of data, through the analysis of the data, and ending with action on this information within the agricultural system. There exists significant opportunities to collaborate with faculty in agriculture, engineering, and technology units at Purdue University.

POSITION: Assistant or Associate Professor of Agricultural & Biological Engineering, 9-month tenure track

RESPONSIBILITIES: The successful candidate is expected to work and collaborate effectively with other faculty in a highly interdisciplinary effort to address machine systems discovery and learning needs. The individual will engage local, state, national and international government, and non-government agencies, and other stakeholders, and contribute to Purdue’s research and teaching efforts focused largely on machine systems engineering.

Research areas may include:

  • Design of intelligent machine systems enabling digital agriculture
  • Advanced machine driveline and actuation technology
  • Pneumatics/hydraulic systems in automation
  • Robotic/autonomous field and process operations
  • Engineering for safety
  • Interactions of machines and biological materials
  • Diagnostics/prognostics of machine systems

Teaching in related subject matter for Agricultural Engineering degree seeking students is expected. The individual will also develop a successful externally funded research program with support from federal agencies and industry.

This is an academic year, tenure track, research and teaching position. The successful candidate will build a renowned program in this area that is inclusive of an international dimension. 

QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must have a Ph.D. degree in agricultural engineering or a related discipline. Excellent communication and grant writing skills are required.

THE COLLEGES:  The Department is part of the Colleges of Agriculture and Engineering at Purdue University that are deeply committed to the three land-grant missions (teaching, research, and extension), to international activities and perspectives that span all missions, and to excellence in all we do.  The College of Agriculture is one of the world’s leading colleges of agricultural, food, life, and natural resource sciences and ranked eighth globally in the 2016 QS World University Rankings. The College has 11 academic departments and includes 325 faculty, 2736 undergraduate students, and 699 graduate students. The College of Engineering has 13 academic units and includes 456 faculty, more than 8700 undergraduate students, and nearly 3,500 graduate students. The College of Engineering is ranked number 9 for undergraduate programs and number 6 for graduate programs by U.S. News and World Report.  The Colleges’ strategic plans can be accessed at https://ag.purdue.edu/plan/Pages/default.aspx and https://engineering.purdue.edu/Engr/AboutUs/StrategicPlan/2009-2014.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS:   Review of applications will begin November 15, 2017 and continue until the position is filled.

APPLICATION MATERIALS:  Letter of interest, resume, official academic transcripts, statement of teaching and research philosophies, and names, addresses and phone numbers of three references. Applications should be submitted electronically to abejob2@ecn.purdue.edu. A background check is required for employment in this position.

The Department and Colleges are committed to advancing diversity in all areas of faculty effort, including scholarship, instruction, and engagement. Candidates should address at least one of these areas in their cover letter, indicating their past experiences, current interests or activities, and/or future goals to promote a climate that values diversity and inclusion. Purdue is an ADVANCE institution – www.purdue.edu/dp/advance.

CONTACT:

John Lumkes,
Department of Agricultural & Biological Engineering
Purdue University
Email: lumkes@purdue.edu
Phone: 765.494.1173

For additional  information regarding the Purdue University ABE program see  http://www.purdue.edu/ABE

PURDUE UNIVERSITY IS AN EOE/AA EMPLOYER.  ALL INDIVIDUALS, INCLUDING MINORITIES, WOMEN, INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES, AND VETERANS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.