The Seed Biotechnology Center (SBC), a program of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and housed in the Department of Plant Sciences at UC Davis, is seeking a Director for the Plant Breeding Academy. The SBC serves as a focal point for interaction between the seed industry and the research and educational resources of the University of California, Davis. It coordinates and conducts research and provides extension information, continuing education, including the Plant Breeding Academy, and public service related to agricultural biotechnology.
The Plant Breeding Academy (PBA) offers a University Certificate in Plant Breeding to working professionals in the seed industry. The current PBA program consists of six sessions each 6 days in length offered over a two year period. The three core instructors are all university faculty with active plant breeding programs. Class size is limited to insure intensive student-instructor interaction. The PBA has achieved international recognition and is expanding by establishing a European Plant Breeding Academy (EPBA). Other opportunities for future expansion are being explored.
The Director will serve as the academic and administrative leader of the PBA. The Director will report to Professor Kent Bradford, the Academic Director of the Seed Biotechnology Center. In addition to managing and improving the current PBA, the Director will be responsible for establishing the new Academies by hiring additional instructors, establishing the curriculum, recruiting participants and coordinating all logistical arrangements. The position is a full time (11 month) academic appointment with full benefits and will be split between two title codes: Academic Coordinator II and University Extension Teacher.
Selection criteria include a M.S. degree required with a Ph.D. in a plant science discipline preferred; evidence of strong managerial and administrative skills to develop and lead an international education program; demonstrated ability or potential to develop and instruct courses in plant breeding subjects, and a working knowledge of current plant breeding practices. An established plant breeder who has released commercial varieties is preferred.
To apply online go to: http://recruitments.plantsciences.ucdavis.edu/. For additional information go to: http://pba.ucdavis.edu. For questions, contact Sue DiTomaso, Manager of Outreach, UC Davis Seed Biotechnology Center, via email at scditomaso@ucdavis.edu, fax 530-754-7222 or phone 530-754-7333.