The University of Idaho is looking for a new dean for its agricultural college.

John Hammel, dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the university in Moscow, Idaho, will leave the position this month after nine years. Hammel will pursue teaching and research full-time, the university announced Dec. 7.

An internal search begins immediately for an interim dean while a national search will be completed this spring, according to the university.

Hammel said in the release he is excited to resume efforts in crop and tillage systems at the department of plant, soil and entomological sciences.

"I have greatly appreciated the time that I have served as dean," Hammel stated. "In spite of some challenging times, we have seen advances with our partners around the state."

Hammel joined the university in November 1982 as a professor of soil physics. He was appointed dean in January 2004.