The Department of Crop and Soil Sciences (CSS) within the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resources Sciences (CAHNRS) at Washington State University (WSU) is seeking a motivated and problem-solving researcher, instructor and extension specialist to join a team of scientists and extension experts in multiple disciplines, including plant pathology, horticulture, soil science, entomology, and plant breeding. This career-track, assistant professor rank faculty position is a nine-month academic year appointment. In addition to the academic appointment salary, the successful candidate will be expected to work and will receive salary for two additional months for research, extension, and administrative expectations. The balance of the calendar year is leave without pay. We are looking to fill an integrated research/extension/teaching position to begin in Fall 2025, or as negotiated, at the WSU Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center (NWREC) and at the nearby WSU Everett campus (37 miles south of NWREC). The successful applicant will develop a nationally recognized and regionally relevant program focused on Integrated Weed Management of Horticultural Crops to enhance crop productivity while increasing profits and improving environmental quality.

The Assistant Professor of Horticultural Weed Science should emphasize the development of sustainable and effective weed management strategies through applied and fundamental research and extension for regional crops of significance in Northwestern Washington. The incumbent will develop and teach courses in ecology and management of weeds as part of the Agricultural and Food Systems (AFS) undergraduate program at WSU Everett and delivered to other WSU campuses. The incumbent will contribute to the broader development of the major at WSU Everett, foster connections between WSU Everett students and the NWREC, and will directly report to the NWREC Director and Chair of the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences (CSS). In addition to pursuing an outstanding research and extension program, the successful candidate will be expected to advise graduate students, provide effective academic instruction to undergraduate students, and contribute to WSU's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence.

Responsibilities:

This position integrates research, extension, and teaching duties, with the successful candidate expected to develop a nationally recognized program in Integrated Weed Management (IWM) focused on agricultural systems in Northwestern Washington. The incumbent will teach undergraduate courses in ecology and management of weeds in Agricultural and Food Systems (AFS) each year. The research and extension program will emphasize sustainable, integrated weed management strategies, incorporating both chemical and non-chemical control methods to address the weed challenges in horticultural crops. These crops include but are not limited to blueberry, potato, vegetable seed, raspberry, flower bulbs, tree fruit, and greenhouse production. Programs must be responsive to stakeholder needs and align with the missions of WSU NWREC and CAHNRS Office of Research.

The successful candidate must acquire competitive extramural funding from state, regional, and national agencies, and the agricultural industry to support a comprehensive research and extension program. The incumbent will disseminate information by publishing in appropriate peer-reviewed journals and extension media, delivering presentations at scientific conferences and grower meetings, and using technology and other modern communication platforms. This person is expected to work collaboratively with other researchers, extension professionals, private crop consultants, the grower community, and stakeholders. Teaching responsibilities will include teaching credit courses on topics described above, contributing to recruitment efforts at WSU Everett, helping guide development of the WSU Everett AFS program, and the mentoring and supervision of graduate students. Other duties include serving on CSS, NWREC, CAHNRS, and WSU committees. The person will also contribute to WSU’s strategic focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Required Qualifications:

By the date of hire, earned Ph.D. in weed science or closely related field, with sufficient depth in a discipline to address the breadth of weed management and sustainable farming systems in NW Washington;
Demonstrated record of scholarly accomplishments in research, extension, and/or teaching commensurate with career level

Preferred Qualifications:

Demonstrated excellence in graduate and undergraduate teaching, advising, and mentoring;
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with technical and nontechnical audiences in oral and written forms through refereed or non-refereed publications commensurate with career level;
Record of competitive grant success and refereed publications commensurate with career level;
Demonstrated knowledge of state-of-the-art techniques in weed science relevant to applied research, integrated management systems, and sustainable agriculture;
Demonstrated ability to use the web to disseminate research and extension information;
Demonstrated commitment to advancing the goals of diversity, equity, and inclusion;
Demonstrated experience working in horticultural and irrigated croping systems.

Additional Information:

Area/College:

College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS)

Department Name:

Crop and Soil Sciences and Northwest Research and Extension Center

City, State, Zip:

Mt. Vernon, WA

Department Link:

Department of Crop and Soil Sciences

Salary Range:

$75,000.0 - $85,000.00 (9-month academic year salary plus 2 months of summer salary)
In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Benefits:

WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation and optional supplemental retirement accounts. For a more detailed summary of benefits offered by WSU for Faculty please review the summary of benefits for WSU Faculty and Total Compensation

Overtime Eligibility:

This position is not eligible for overtime

FTE:

100%

Position Term:

The term of the faculty position is a nine-month academic-year appointment. In addition to the academic appointment, the successful candidate will be eligible for two additional months of summer salary.

This is a temporary non-tenure track position.

Temporary End Date:

This is a temporary position expected to end 36 months after date of hire. Renewal is dependent on the need for extension and/or if additional funding is secured to extend employment.

Background Check: This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.

Application Instructions: All applicants must upload a cover letter and resume/cv to their online application. Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications. Documents may be submitted in one file or separate files. Applicants are encouraged to upload as a PDF if possible. Applicants will be requested to provide contact information for professional references within the online application.

External candidates, please upload all documents in the “Resume/CV” section of your application.

Internal candidates, please upload all documents in the “Resume/Cover Letter” section of your application.

Required Documents:

1) Cover letter,

2) Current curriculum vitae,

3) A statement addressing each of the 3 land grant tenets: Teaching, Research, and Extension (2 page limit)

4) Statement on contributions to diversity equity, and inclusion,

5) Copies of official college transcripts.

The cover letter should address all of the required and preferred qualifications for the position and include your areas of expertise and research interests.

For questions about the position, please contact Dr. Drew Lyon, Search Committee Chair, at drew.lyon@wsu.edu or 509-335-2961.

Time Type:

Full time

WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EDUCATOR AND EMPLOYER. Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veteran, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply.

WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or hrs@wsu.edu.

Notice of Non-Discrimination

WSU prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates compliant with Title IX. Inquiries regarding Title IX and reports of sex discrimination can be directed to the WSU Title IX Coordinator. More information on WSU’s policies and procedures to respond to discrimination and harassment are available here: Nondiscrimination statement.

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