Description
Value-added agriculture allows producers to capture more value for their inputs and effort by transforming agricultural commodities into higher value end products. It includes generation of new products, expanding the existing market opportunities, and identifying
new retail markets enabling farmers to align with consumer preferences and demands. By advancing value-added agriculture, we can create new food, feed, industrial products, and high-paying jobs and increase product sales, constituting a crucial economic stimulus for the entire state. By generating value-added products from Montana’s agriculture-based raw materials and processing derivatives, and advertising those products to the proper markets, we can generate more business, community awareness and economic vitality for our agricultural communities. The faculty member in this position would conduct research on, but not limited to, fiber use/transformation (hemp, straw, wool, etc.), high value end-product commodity transformation for cereals, oilseed crops or horticultural products, or food systems engineering for Montana-produced agricultural commodities. Teaching expectations will include courses that support a new degree program in agricultural & biosystems engineering.
Requirements
Required Qualifications:
- PhD degree in agricultural engineering, or a closely related engineering field by start date.
2. Demonstrated potential for research achievement in value-added agricultural product design and engineering.
3. Evidence of strong skills in communication of research, including peer-reviewed publications.
4. Demonstrated potential for teaching, effective mentoring and training of students, employees, or early-career professionals.
Preferred Qualifications:
1. Record of conducting innovative research that advances fundamental understanding of value-added agricultural product design and engineering.
2. Demonstrated potential to secure funding via successful grant proposals.
3. Demonstrated ability and interest to work collaboratively across disciplines and take on leadership roles in interdisciplinary teams.
4. Demonstrated ability to teach and mentor undergraduate and graduate students with differing backgrounds.
