Associate Professor in Desert Ecology

Position Summary

The United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) invites applications for a full-time faculty position in Desert Ecology at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor. The position will be based in the College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine and is expected to begin in the upcoming academic year.

The successful candidate is expected to establish a competitive, externally funded research program in desert ecology, with a focus on sustainable agricultural systems in arid and semi-arid environments. Research areas may include soil–plant–microbiome interactions, salinity and drought stress adaptation, soil health and restoration, carbon sequestration, greenhouse gas (GHG) dynamics, climate-smart agriculture, and ecosystem functioning under extreme environmental conditions. Particular emphasis will be placed on marginal environments, including saline and sabkha soils, and the development of innovative strategies to enhance soil productivity, carbon storage, and ecosystem resilience.

The candidate is expected to contribute to the development and advancement of the Zayed Program for saline agriculture and genetic resource conservation, including the study and utilization of halophyte and native desert plants. This includes establishing and managing a gene bank for halophyte species and stress-tolerant crops, supporting biodiversity conservation and the selection of plant materials adapted to harsh desert conditions.

In addition, the candidate will lead research on soil rehabilitation and sustainable land management practices, including the treatment and improvement of degraded soils (e.g., sabkha soils), mitigation of soil salinization, erosion, land degradation, and the development of innovative technologies for desert environment management. Research will also address carbon cycling and greenhouse gas emissions (CO₂, CH₄, N₂O) in desert agroecosystems, aiming to develop strategies for carbon sequestration and mitigation of climate change impacts.

These approaches may include advanced soil amendments (e.g., biochar and mineral-based fertilizers), smart irrigation systems, and climate‑resilient agricultural practices. The candidate will contribute to teaching, research, and service activities, with particular emphasis on desert agroecosystems, saline agriculture, and sustainable management of natural resources in the UAE and similar environments, while supporting national priorities in food security, environmental sustainability, and climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Key Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in desert ecology, soil ecology, environmental science, and sustainable agriculture
• Supervise MSc and PhD students in areas related to desert ecosystems and soil‑plant interactions
• Establish and maintain an internationally recognized research program in desert ecology
• Secure competitive external research funding
• Publish in high‑impact, peer‑reviewed journals
• Contribute to interdisciplinary research initiatives related to climate change and food security
• Engage in community outreach and industry collaboration, particularly in areas relevant to UAE national priorities (salinity management, water use efficiency, soil restoration)
• Participate in departmental, college, and university service

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in Plant Ecology, Soil Fertility, Plant nutrition, Environmental Science, Desert Ecology, Natural Resources or a closely related discipline
• Demonstrated research productivity in areas such as:
  • Plant ecology in arid environments
  • Soil fertility and nutrient ecosystem
  • Salinity and drought stress management
  • Soil microbiome and ecosystem functioning
• Evidence of effective teaching at the university level
• Strong communication skills in English

Areas of Specialization

• Desert Soil Ecology & Biogeochemistry: nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, soil degradation and restoration
• Saline and Marginal Soil Management: soil amendments, biochar, polyhalite, and sustainable fertilization strategies
• Soil Microbiome & Plant–Microbe Interactions: microbial community analysis, rhizosphere ecology, biofertilizers
• Climate‑Smart Agriculture: water‑use efficiency, carbon dynamics, adaptation to climate change
• Environmental Soil Physics & Hydrology: water dynamics, irrigation management in arid systems
• Bioremediation & Soil Pollution: heavy metals, phytoremediation, ecological restoration
• Desert Agroecosystems & Crop Productivity: halophytes, drought‑ and salinity‑tolerant crops

Preferred Qualifications (Additional)

• Experience working in arid and semi-arid environments
• Record of successful research grant acquisition or participation in international projects
• Experience in interdisciplinary and applied research linked to food security and sustainability