Assistant Professor – Specialty Crop Weed Scientist

Weed Science Society of America; Auburn (AL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Auburn University seeks a tenure-track Assistant Professor in specialty crop weed science. This 9-month, 75% research / 25% instruction position aims to build a nationally recognized, externally funded program in weed management for specialty crops.

The successful candidate will develop and teach weed management courses, mentor students, and collaborate with extension and industry partners in Alabama. Start date is August 16, 2027.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in horticulture, crop science, agronomy, or another closely related plant science discipline by start date.
• Experience conducting field research in agricultural cropping systems.
• Experience using conventional or novel weed detection and control methods.
• Record of scholarly productivity with peer-reviewed publications.
• Teaching experience at the undergraduate level.

Responsibilities

• Establish an innovative, externally funded research program on weed management in specialty crops.
• Conduct applied field research addressing critical weed management challenges for Alabama producers.
• Integrate chemical and nonchemical approaches with emerging technologies (sensors, UAVs, rovers, precision application).
• Publish in peer‑reviewed journals and present findings to scientific and industry audiences; contribute to Extension education.
• Develop and teach a four-credit course in Weed Management in Specialty Cropping Systems and an additional graduate course.
• Mentor undergraduates and graduate students; participate in service at departmental, college, university, and professional levels.

Skills

Field research experience

Weed detection methods

Grant writing experience

Teaching experience

Scholarly publications

Education

PhD in horticulture / crop science / agronomy

Job description

Home » Assistant Professor – Specialty Crop Weed Scientist

Assistant Professor – Specialty Crop Weed Scientist

Description of Duties

The Department of Horticulture in the College of Agriculture at Auburn University is seeking applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in specialty crop weed science. This full-time, nine-month appointment includes 75% research and 25% instruction responsibilities. The successful candidate will develop a nationally recognized, externally funded program focused on weed management in specialty crop production systems. The projected start date is August 16th, 2027.

Responsibilities: The successful candidate will establish an innovative, externally funded research program that advances scientific understanding and develops practical solutions for weed detection, management, and control in economically important specialty crops, including food and ornamentals crops produced in conventional and organic systems. The candidate is also expected to conduct applied field research that addresses critical weed management challenges and delivers practical, research-based solutions that benefit commercial specialty crop producers in Alabama. Depending on the candidate’s expertise and program direction, the research may integrate chemical and nonchemical approaches with emerging technologies such as advanced sensors, unmanned aerial vehicles, rovers, autonomous scouting, precision application, and other smart systems. The incumbent will exhibit excellent written and oral communications skills while collaborating with departmental and university scientists, Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station personnel, Alabama Cooperative Extension System specialists and regional agents, industry partners, commodity groups, and commercial producers. The candidate will publish in peer-reviewed journals, present findings to scientific and industry audiences, and provide research-based information that supports Extension education and producer decision-making. Instructional responsibilities will include developing and teaching a four-credit undergraduate/graduate course in Weed Management in Specialty Cropping Systems and developing and teaching an additional graduate course aligned with the candidate’s expertise and student needs. The incumbent will mentor undergraduate researchers and graduate students and participate in departmental, college, university, and professional service.

Minimum qualifications include an earned Ph.D. in horticulture, crop science, agronomy, or another closely related plant science discipline from an accredited institution by the time employment begins; experience conducting field research in agricultural cropping systems; experience using conventional or novel methods for weed detection and control in an agricultural cropping system. The ideal candidate is also expected to exhibit a record of scholarly productivity that includes peer-reviewed publications and presentations at scientific conferences; success in securing competitive research grant funding; and teaching experience at the undergraduate level. The incumbent must meet eligibility requirements for work in the United States at the time the appointment is scheduled to begin and maintain legal authorization to work for the term of employment.

Desirable qualifications include: Postdoctoral experience; specialized scholarly research in specialty crop weed science; experience conducting field research in specialty crop production systems; experience with both conventional and novel weed management systems, including organic production systems; experience serving as principal investigator on competitive grants supporting research or Extension outreach; experience mentoring undergraduate researchers and serving as major professor for M.S. or Ph.D. students; experience working in crop protection, agricultural technology, or related agricultural industry sectors; experience conducting collaborative research trials on commercial farms; and experience as instructor of record for an undergraduate weed science course.

Stem-Ag Building Auburn University, AUBURN UNIVERSITY, AL 36849, AL 36849,

Closing Date

12/31/2026

Date Position Available

Auburn 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 34,000 graduate and undergraduate students. The University is located in the city of Auburn in east-central Alabama, approximately 100 miles southwest of Atlanta, Georgia; southeast of Birmingham, Alabama; and 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. The University is ranked in the top 50 public universities for its undergraduate programs. Interested applicants are encouraged to visit www.auburn.edu for more information.