Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in Row Crop Entomology

North Carolina State University; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 97,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Retirement Programs

Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs

12 Holidays Each Year

Tuition and Academic Assistance

Job summary

North Carolina State University seeks a tenure-track Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in Row Crop Entomology to lead statewide arthropod management for major row crops such as sweetpotato, peanut, and soybean. The role is 70% Extension and 30% research, connecting practical grower needs with emerging technologies.

You will advance IPM, pest ecology, and resistance management while guiding field trials, decision-support tools, and data-driven approaches.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of integrated pest management (IPM) principles and their application to agronomic cropping systems.
• Expertise in pest ecology and management across field, landscape, and broader agroecosystem scales.
• Advanced understanding of insecticide resistance mechanisms and proven capability in developing and applying innovative resistance management strategies.

Responsibilities

• Shape a statewide Extension program that helps North Carolina growers address arthropod pest challenges in major row crops, including sweetpotato, peanut, and soybean.
• Translate research into practical recommendations that help growers, consultants, and industry stakeholders make informed pest management decisions.
• Connect with agricultural professionals and growers through field days, Extension programming, and innovative digital decision-support tools.
• Build strong partnerships with commodity groups, Extension agents, and state and federal partners to address emerging arthropod management challenges.
• Support the growth and development of graduate students and other trainees through mentorship, research guidance, and professional development opportunities.
• Strengthen agricultural workforce capacity by developing training and professional development opportunities for Extension agents, consultants, and agricultural professionals.
• Advance adoption of integrated pest management through innovative technologies and decision-support tools that translate research into practical solutions for North Carolina agriculture.

Skills

IPM knowledge

Pest ecology

Resistance management

Communication/extension

Education

PhD in entomology or equivalent

Tools

AI

Precision agriculture

Remote sensing

Drones

Job description

Posting Information

Posting Number: PG194828EP

Internal Recruitment: No

Working Title: Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in Row Crop Entomology

Anticipated Hiring Range: Commensurate with Experience ($85,000 - $97,000)

Work Schedule: Core Business Hours (Monday - Friday; 8:00 am - 5:00 pm) schedule will vary based on extension and research needs.

Job Location: Raleigh, NC

Department: Entomology and Plant Pathology

About the Department: As part of the Land Grant University, the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at North Carolina State University is composed of over 40 faculty that direct a diverse portfolio of programs in teaching, research, and extension. Collectively, these strengths not only serve our clientele and our science but also provide a rich environment for graduate education and training that can be tailored to the specific career interests of the student, irrespective of whether they prefer training in the basic sciences or are preparing for a career in extension. Our education and research programs provide graduate and undergraduate students with unique hands-on learning opportunities using the latest technologies. Entomology and Plant Pathology houses the Plant Disease and Insect Clinic, the Larry Grand Mycological Herbarium, Micropropagation and Repository Unit, Structural Pest Management Training Facility, an Insect Museum with 1.9 million vouchered insects, and the Center for Integrated Fungal Research. The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences houses 12 Academic departments with 294faculty, 2,891 undergraduate students and 899 graduate students. The College is home to 18 research stations strategically located across the state that enhances our interactions with our farmers, stakeholders, and industry partners.

Wolfpack Perks and Benefits

As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.

What we offer:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision


• Flexible Spending Account


• Retirement Programs


• Disability Plans


• Life Insurance


• Accident Plan


• Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs


• 12 Holidays Each Year


• Tuition and Academic Assistance


• And so much more!

Attain Work-life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership, and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.

Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.

Essential Job Duties

The Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology seeks a tenure-track Assistant Professor (12-month) to provide statewide leadership in arthropod management for North Carolina row crop production, with a focus on sweetpotato, peanut, and soybean. The position is 70% Extension and 30% research, connecting applied research, grower needs, and emerging technologies to strengthen sustainable pest management across North Carolina agriculture.

You'll have the opportunity to build on your expertise in row crop entomology, integrated pest management, pest ecology, and insecticide resistance while shaping innovative approaches to pest prediction, decision support, and resistance management. Your work may draw on field experimentation, landscape-scale studies, pest monitoring, and data-driven tools, including artificial intelligence, precision agriculture, remote sensing, and drones. Through your research and Extension program, you'll translate new knowledge into practical solutions that help growers and agricultural professionals make informed, sustainable pest management decisions.

Key responsibilities fall within the following functional areas.

Extension & Outreach:

• Shape a statewide Extension program that helps North Carolina growers address arthropod pest challenges in major row crops, including sweetpotato, peanut, and soybean.


• Translate research into practical recommendations that help growers, consultants, and industry stakeholders make informed pest management decisions.


• Connect with agricultural professionals and growers through field days, Extension programming, and innovative digital decision-support tools.


• Build strong partnerships with commodity groups, Extension agents, and state and federal partners to address emerging arthropod management challenges.


• Support the growth and development of graduate students and other trainees through mentorship, research guidance, and professional development opportunities.


• Strengthen agricultural workforce capacity by developing training and professional development opportunities for Extension agents, consultants, and agricultural professionals.


• Advance adoption of integrated pest management through innovative technologies and decision-support tools that translate research into practical solutions for North Carolina agriculture.

Research & Discovery:

• Build an applied, externally funded research program that responds to grower needs and strengthens the impact of your Extension work.


• Advance understanding of pest ecology and management through field- and landscape-scale research addressing current and emerging crop protection challenges.


• Share new knowledge and practical solutions through peer-reviewed publications, Extension resources, and other scholarly contributions.


• Secure and steward extramural funding to advance applied research and strengthen the impact of Extension priorities.

Mentorship, Teaching & Service:

• Mentor graduate students and other trainees through research guidance, professional development, and career preparation.


• Contribute to undergraduate and graduate instruction through teaching courses and supporting the department's educational mission.


• Contribute expertise and perspective through departmental, college, university, and professional service activities.

If you are a collaborative entomologist who enjoys connecting research with real-world agricultural challenges, building strong relationships with growers and partners, and developing innovative solutions for sustainable crop protection, we encourage you to apply.

Other Responsibilities

In addition to the core responsibilities of this role, there will be occasional opportunities to take on additional duties. This offers an opportunity to build on your skills, explore new areas, and gain a deeper understanding of the department, college and university operations.

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience: PhD in entomology or equivalent degree

Other Required Qualifications:

• Knowledge of integrated pest management (IPM) principles and their application to agronomic cropping systems.


• Expertise in pest ecology and management across field, landscape, and broader agroecosystem scales.


• Advanced understanding of insecticide resistance mechanisms and proven capability in developing and applying innovative resistance management strategies.


• Technical experience with AI, precision agriculture, remote sensing, drones, or other emerging technologies applied to crop protection.

Preferred Qualifications: Extension experience in Row Crop Entomology

Required License(s) or Certification(s): NC Pesticide License, NC Driver's License

Valid NC Driver's License required: Yes

Commercial Driver's License required: No

Recruitment Dates

Job Open Date: 08/28/2026

Anticipated Close Date: 12/1/2026; if posting is still active we are still accepting and reviewing applications

Position Details

Position Number: 00105789

Position Type: Tenured/Tenure-Track Faculty

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week): 1.00

Appointment: 12 Month Recurring

Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather: Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather

Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events: Non Mandatory - Emergency Event

Department ID: 111801 - Entomology and Plant Pathology

EEO Statement

NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.

If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at [phone] or [e-mail].

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.

NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.