The Distinguished Endowed Chair in Soil Health for Potato Cropping System | Open Rank
Washington State University

Job Info

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Online applications must be received before 12:00am on:January 7, 2025If a date is not listed above, review the Applicant Instructions below for more details.Available Title(s):270-NN_FACULTY - Assistant Professor, 280-NN_FACULTY - Associate Professor, 290-NN_FACULTY - Professor, 395-NN_FACULTY - New Tenure-Track - Pre-Academic YearBusiness Title:The Distinguished Endowed Chair in Soil Health for Potato Cropping System | Open RankEmployee Type:FacultyPosition Term:9 Month - SummerPosition Details:

Summary of Duties:

The Distinguished Endowed Chair in Soil Health for Potato Cropping Systems will create and lead an internationally recognized research program that is integrated with and closely collaborates with growers and the processing industry in the Columbia Basin to develop practical methods, means, and management tools to promote soil health and improve potato productivity by focusing research on soil ecosystems in Columbia Basin potato cropping systems, which includes potatoes, rotation crops with potatoes, and cover crops.

Recent advances in understanding interactions of the soil microbiome with soil physical and chemical qualities have opened new research and management opportunities to improve soil health for enhanced potato productivity and human nutrition. As a Distinguished Endowed Chair, we seek a leader to join our team of soil scientists, horticulturists, and plant pathologists to further our understanding of and ability to manage these properties and processes to enhance potato production in the Pacific Northwest (PNW).

The individual selected is expected to inform, coordinate, and encourage the research community to focus on potato cropping systems with an emphasis on soil health. This includes leading and participating in soil health research proposals to the Northwest Potato Research Consortium and other national funding programs; defining research objectives based in part on existing knowledge gaps1 and ongoing engagement with industry and other scientists; leading collaborative soil health research projects; and coordinating and assisting grower-based research on commercial farms.

The Chair will collaborate with and complement other research and extension activities conducted by WSU including the Washington Soil Health Initiative, and other PNW and U.S. public and private sector scientists, extension professionals, crop consultants, growers, and processors. The individual must secure extramural funds to support the program and complement the endowment; regularly engage with and disseminate information to stakeholders by contributing to extension efforts, participating in industry meetings, and other research-based outreach and outputs; and deliver high quality instruction at the advanced undergraduate or graduate levels.

Qualifications:

Required for all ranks:

• Earned Ph.D. degree in soil science, soil microbiology, biogeochemistry, horticulture, plant pathology, or a closely related field by employment start date.

Additional requirements for Associate rank:

• Must have served at least 6 years in academic, industry or a federal lab after Ph.D.

• Must have experience in mentoring and leading funded research programs.

Additional requirements for Professor rank:

• Must have served at least 10 years in academic, industry or a federal lab after Ph.D.

• Must have experience in mentoring and leading funded research programs.

• Must be a recognized leader through national/international accomplishments and awards.

Preferred for all ranks:

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with technical and nontechnical audiences in oral, written, and electronic forms.

• Demonstrated leadership in developing and executing interdisciplinary research programs.

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with industry and the crop research community on a local, regional, national, and international scale.

• Demonstrated record of acquiring extramural competitive grant support.

• Knowledge of state-of-the-art techniques applicable to potato soil health research.

• Experience or expressed interest in working with potato-based crop rotations and irrigated agriculture systems.

• Demonstrated evidence of effective teaching and student mentoring.

• Demonstrated knowledge and ability to work effectively with individuals and groups of diverse cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.

Additional Information:

Area/College:

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

Department Name:

Crop and Soil Sciences

City, State, Zip:

Pullman, WA, 99164

Department Link:

https://css.wsu.edu/

Annual Salary:

$90,000.00 - $168,750.00

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.

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 visit: https://hrs.wsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2024-Benefit-Overview-for-Faculty-and-AP.pdf.

Find total compensation information here: https://hrs.wsu.edu/managers/recruitment-toolkit/total-compensation/.

Overtime Eligibility:

This position is Ineligible for Overtime.

FTE:

100%

Position Term:

9-months

There is also the potential for 2 additional months of summer salary.

This is a permanent, tenure track position.

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:

Applicants must upload the following required documents to their 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) Detailed letter of application addressing the required and preferred qualifications

2) Curriculum Vitae

3) Unofficial transcripts or list of courses relevant to the position

4) Names, email addresses and phone numbers for three (3) professional references

Time Type:Full timeWASHINGTON 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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