Logo
Tacoma News, Inc.

Assistant Professor - Weed Science / Ecology / Management in Edible Specialty Cr

Tacoma News, Inc., East Lansing, Michigan, United States, 48823


Assistant Professor

Weed Science/Ecology/Management in Edible Specialty Crops

Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University

The

Department of Horticulture

in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at

Michigan State University

invites applications for a full-time 12-month tenure-system Assistant Professor position (with a 50% Research, 40% Extension, and 10% Teaching assignment) to lead an internationally recognized, innovative and competitively funded research and extension program in weed science and ecology to support Michigan’s fruit and vegetable industries. The position start date is anticipated to be August 16, 2025.

The successful candidate will be responsible for developing a collaborative research and extension program focused on weed science, management and agroecology. Specific areas of research may include, but are not limited to: optimization of herbicide products, rates, timings and application methods to selectively manage weeds; effects of climate change on weed population dynamics and management; development and application of automated, AI-assisted precision weeders; integration of preventative, chemical, biological and physical approaches to manage herbicide resistant weeds and improve production efficiency. Extension responsibilities include developing educational materials and presentations to inform and advise growers, extension educators, industry advisors, government regulators, and elected officials, based on industry needs and opportunities in vegetable and fruit specialty crop weed management, with a focus on sustainability, profitability, and environmental impact.

The successful candidate will be expected to develop and coordinate outreach and research collaborations within the MSU vegetable and fruit faculty and extension educator teams; procure competitive external grant funding; publish in peer-reviewed scientific journals; create and publish industry relevant educational materials; develop leadership activities in professional scientific associations; advise and mentor students, postdoctoral fellows, and visiting scientists; and contribute to the graduate-level curriculum in applied horticultural crop production. Opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration exist with scientists in soil science, plant pathology, nematology, entomology, and agricultural engineering. Salary will be commensurate with the successful candidate’s experience. MSU offers competitive start-up support for new faculty and attractive benefits including health and dental insurance and retirement plans.

Qualifications:

Required:

Ph.D. in weed science, horticulture, agronomy, plant biology/physiology, forestry, or other relevant plant-science related fields.

Demonstrated capacity to conduct and publish independent, original, innovative research.

Excellent oral and written communication skills appropriate for both scientific peers and agricultural stakeholders.

Desired:

Graduate, postdoctoral or other professional experience in weed science/ecology.

Experience in competitive grant proposal writing and administration.

Experience working in a diverse environment and utilizing a variety of outreach/communication methods.

Ability to work collaboratively as a team member and as a leader in a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural setting.

Location:

The position will be based at Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI, USA.

Application Procedure:

Qualified applicants should submit the following materials to

https://jobs.msu.edu

: 1) A letter of application summarizing research/extension accomplishments and future interests; 2) a current resume; 3) a statement of extension/teaching philosophy; 4) a summary of your experience or philosophy fostering diversity and inclusion; and 5) contact information for at least three references. Questions on submitting applications can be directed to

hrt@msu.edu .

Review of Applications:

The search committee will begin reviewing completed applications on November 10, 2024, and continue until a suitable candidate is selected. Questions about the position can be directed to Dr. Steve van Nocker, Search Committee Chair ( vannocke@msu.edu ).

#J-18808-Ljbffr