Endowed Chair of Tree Fruit Soil and Rhizosphere Science

Washington State University

Prosser (WA)

On-site

USD 120,000 - 180,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

Washington State University invites applications for the Endowed Chair of Tree Fruit Soil and Rhizosphere Science, located at the IAREC in Prosser, WA. The appointee will lead a nationally recognized program focused on soil-plant interactions that enhance tree fruit production and industry competitiveness.

The successful candidate will build collaborations with growers, extension personnel, and other researchers, mentor graduate students, teach across related programs, and secure extramural

Qualifications

Earned Ph.D. in soil science or closely related field by time of application.
Demonstrated scholarly accomplishments in soil and rhizosphere science.

Responsibilities

Develop an internationally renowned soil and rhizosphere research program.
Collaborate with state, federal, and private researchers to strengthen tree fruit soil science.
Mentor graduate students and contribute to teaching in soil science and related fields.
Publish broadly and secure extramural funding to advance tree fruit soil research.

Education

Ph.D. in soil science or closely related field

Job description

Endowed Chair of Tree Fruit Soil and Rhizosphere Science

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Screening of application materials begins July 9, 2018, open until filled. Applications must include the following materials: 1) a cover letter, 2) a current curriculum vitae, 3) a statement of vision and goals for the position that describes how you would serve the needs of the tree fruit industry (submit as “Research Statement”); 4) electronic copies of official graduate transcripts (submit as “Other”), and 5) the names and contact information for four professional references. Reference letters will be requested for the finalists. The cover letter should address, in distinct sections, all of the required and preferred qualifications for the position (including your areas of expertise and research interests). For questions about the position, contact Dr. David Brown at dave.brown@wsu.edu or 509-335-1859.

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Position Information

Employee Type

Employee Type Faculty

Title

Working Title

Working Title Endowed Chair of Tree Fruit Soil and Rhizosphere Science

Position Number

Position Number 121694

College/Area

College/Area College of Agricultural Human & Natural Resource Sciences

Hiring Unit

Hiring Unit Crop and Soil Sciences

Department Link

Faculty and students in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences ( CSS ) at WSU are committed to creating a sustainable earth and feeding the world through research, teaching, and extension. Our department offers M.S. and Ph.D. programs in Crop Science and Soil Science. Undergraduate students can select B.S. programs in either Integrated Plant Sciences (with emphasis on agricultural biotechnology, field crop management, or turfgrass management) or Agricultural Food Systems (with emphasis on education, technology and production management, business economics, organics or food security). First-class facilities include a new 30-acre organic farm on the Pullman campus as well as labs and farms at research centers in Prosser, Wenatchee, and Mount Vernon. Partnerships with the USDA Agricultural Research Service, the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest Laboratory, commodity commissions, the agriculture industry, and family farms result in well-rounded and timely research, successful outreach, and opportunities for student internships.

THE OPPORTUNITY :

The College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resources Sciences ( CAHNRS ) through the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences ( CSS ) seeks a current or emerging leader in basic and applied research on soil-plant interactions to serve as a core member of our tree fruit research and extension team. The endowed chair will build an internationally renowned soil and rhizosphere research program that enhances the competitiveness of the Washington apple, cherry, pear and stone fruit industries. This position is supported by a $2.0 million endowment made possible by a recent and historic, $32 million investment from the state’s tree fruit growers to support tree fruit research and extension at Washington State University.

Washington State is recognized globally as a premier tree fruit production region, with more than 230,000 acres of tree fruits statewide providing an annual economic impact of more than $8 billion. Over a third of the state’s fruit production is exported worldwide. The Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center ( IAREC ) is situated in one of the most agriculturally diverse regions in the U.S., where long, warm summer days, cool nights, low precipitation, and fertile soils make ideal conditions for irrigated fruit production, as well as other high-value horticultural crops.

The Endowed Chair in Tree Fruit Soil and Rhizosphere Science is directly responsible to the Chair of the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences and the IAREC Director. This position will be located at the Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center ( IAREC ) in Prosser, WA.

Additional Information

The Endowed Chair in Tree Fruit Soil and Rhizosphere Science located in the WSU Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, but collaborating widely both within and beyond WSU , is expected to address significant challenges to fruit production whose solutions can be derived from an improved understanding of soil processes and soil-plant interactions. Research may include investigations of rhizosphere characteristics; function of soil microbial communities in mediating biogeochemical processes; the phytobiome; plant nutrient and water uptake; nutrient cycling; signaling between root, microbes and scion; and root characteristics, exudates, and architecture. Building on a foundation of tree fruit research, the endowed chair is expected to collaborate with scientists currently addressing soil-plant interaction questions in tree fruit and related systems. By relating soil-tree interactions to bulk soil properties (biological, chemical, physical), meteorology, hydrology, biotic and abiotic stress, rootstock and scion performance, crop management practices, and landscape variability, new research findings will inform technology transfer to, and successful adoption by, growers. Participation in formal dissemination of soil-related knowledge to the tree fruit industry, undergraduate and graduate students via guest lectures, individual and team teaching activities and graduate student advising is expected. The endowed chair’s research program complements several recent and planned soil- and rhizosphere-focused faculty hires, as well as current USDA - ARS programs in tree fruit soil and root health and IAREC , Wenatchee Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center, Departmental, inter-Departmental, and state-wide initiatives—such as integrated pest management, the WSU Tree Fruit Decision Aid System, the WSU Agricultural Weather Network, the Center for Precision & Automated Agricultural Systems ( CPAAS ), and the Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources ( CSANR ).

The successful candidate will emphasize collaborative programs with state, federal, and private research and extension personnel to strengthen ties between interdisciplinary horticultural and soil science research teams. The successful candidate will acquire competitive extramural funding to support a comprehensive research program, contribute scholarly literature, and enhance the national and international scope and reputation of the WSU soil science and horticultural programs. The successful candidate will be expected to conduct a program of research consistent with the mission of the WSU Agricultural Research Center, and work effectively with other researchers, extension professionals, private crop consultants, and with the grower community and stakeholders. The successful candidate will participate in regional meetings, promote soil and rhizosphere science in tree fruit production systems, and write for popular/grower press in addition to publishing extensively in scientific journals. Teaching responsibilities include the mentoring and supervision of graduate students, guest lectures and individual or team teaching contributions.

Anticipated Start Date: October 1, 2018

Anticipated Start Date

Anticipated Start Date 10/01/2018

Tenure Track Yes

Full-Time/Part-Time

Full-Time/Part-Time Full Time

Appointment Status

Appointment Status Permanent

Position Term in Months

Position Term in Months 12

Monthly Salary

Monthly Salary Competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience

Required Qualifications

• Earned Ph.D. in soil science, ecology, horticulture, plant science, forestry or closely related field at time of application; and
• Demonstrated record of scholarly accomplishments in soil and rhizosphere science commensurate with career level.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with technical and nontechnical audiences in oral, written, and electronic forms;
• Demonstrated leadership in developing and executing an interdisciplinary soil and rhizosphere science research program;
• Demonstrated excellence in collaborative research, graduate student mentoring, and interdisciplinary team building;
• Demonstrated record of acquiring extramural competitive grant support;
• Knowledge of state-of-the-art techniques applicable to tree fruit soil and rhizosphere science research;
• Demonstrated knowledge and ability to work effectively with individuals and groups of diverse cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.

Background Check Yes

Type of Recruitment

Type of Recruitment Open Recruitment

Posting Open Date

Posting Open Date 05/09/2018

Screening Begin Date

Screening Begin Date 07/09/2018

Posting Close Date

Open Until Filled (overrides close field)

Open Until Filled (overrides close field) Yes

Special Instructions to Applicants

For questions about the position, contact Dr. David Brown at dave.brown@wsu.edu or 509-335-1859.

EEO Statement

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 veterans, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply.

WSU is committed to excellence through diversity and faculty-friendly policy action, including partner accommodation and NSF ADVANCE Institutional Transformation programs (http://www.advance.wsu.edu/).

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.

Posting Number 20152101F

Posting Supplemental Questions

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