Horticulture Professor of Practice

The Department of Horticulture of the College of Agriculture at Auburn University is seeking applications for the position of Horticulture Professor of Practice. This faculty position is a full-time, nine-month, non-tenure track instruction appointment that may be renewed annually contingent upon satisfactory performance.  There may be opportunity for a separate appointment during the summer for additional instructional and student-related activities. Full-time positions are eligible for benefits, including health insurance. The projected start date is August 16, 2026.

Responsibilities:  The successful candidate will be instructor of record for several vital horticulture courses that may include but are not limited to HORT 2210 “Landscape Gardening”; HORT 3280 “Landscape Construction”; HORT 3910 “Professional Landscape”; HORT 3950 “Careers in Horticulture”; and HORT 5210/6210 “Landscape Bidding, Installation and Maintenance”. The actual semester-based course load will be in keeping with college instructional workload guidelines and course assignments could be changed and/or negotiated with the department Head as needed and agreed upon based upon the needs of the Department. The incumbent will advise the AU Landscape and Nursery Association (AULNA) student club. The incumbent will be actively involved in leading hands-on student learning projects at the developing Auburn University Transformation Garden.

Qualifications: Minimum qualifications include an earned Master’s degree in Horticulture with an emphasis in landscape horticulture from an accredited institution at the time employment begins.  Successful candidate should have a minimum of 5 years of experience that could be in teaching landscape-related courses and/or experience in or supporting the commercial landscape industry. The candidate must possess outstanding teaching, interpersonal communication, and organizational skills. They must be passionate about teaching undergraduate students and helping them develop hands-on skills to prepare for careers in the profession. The incumbent must meet eligibility requirements for work in the United States at the time the appointment is scheduled to begin and continue working legally for the term of employment.

Desirable qualifications: a PhD in horticulture with an emphasis on landscape horticulture is highly desired. Experience teaching at a community college or in an undergraduate horticulture program and a strong background in commercial landscape construction and maintenance industry as a business owner or manager are all desired. 

Application: Applicants must apply for the position by clicking on 'APPLY TO THIS POSITION' and attach the following:

• 1) a cover letter that addresses the experience pertinent to all of the position responsibilities, 2) current curriculum vita, 3) copies of ALL academic transcripts, and 4) a one-to-two-page statement of teaching philosophy and vision for the position.
• When prompted during the on-line process, please provide names, phone numbers and email addresses of four professional references.
• Only complete applications will be considered. 
• To ensure consideration for the position, applicants are encouraged to apply by end of business on Nov. 20, 2025.
• The position may stay open until it is filled.  

The University:  Auburn University is an R1: Doctoral University and one of the nation’s premier land, sea and space grant institutions with an enrollment of 30,000 graduate and undergraduate students. The University is located in the city of Auburn in east-central Alabama approximately 100 miles southwest of Atlanta, GA and southeast of Birmingham, AL and is about 60 miles northeast of the state capital (Montgomery). Auburn has a highly ranked public-school system, a vibrant economy and an excellent quality of life.  Auburn University is ranked in the top 50 public universities for its undergraduate programs.  

The Department: The Department of Horticulture was established in 1908.  It is one of eight academic departments in the College of Agriculture and is comprised of 16 faculty members.  The Dept. of Horticulture offers four undergraduate areas of specialization: landscape horticulture, nursery and greenhouse science, fruit and vegetable production and pre-landscape architecture.  It is also the headquarters for the agricultural science degree program.  Graduate programs include a Certificate in Public Horticulture, M.Ag., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in horticulture.

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