Assistant Professor of Vegetable Crops

Position Title:

Appointment Type:

Job Description:

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:

The Department of Horticulture at Iowa State University seeks a Vegetable Crop Specialist with 55% Extension, 25% research, 15% teaching, and 5% service appointment. The successful candidate will lead an integrated research and extension program focused on sustainable vegetable production systems pertinent to grower needs in Iowa and the Midwest.

The position has a majority effort in Extension, which will include leading nationally recognized programs aimed at improving sustainability, productivity, and profitability of vegetable production systems while minimizing environmental impacts. Research efforts are to be well integrated with the Extension programming and will include mentoring graduate students, and generating peer reviewed publications. A strong emphasis on building collaborations with local growers, grower organizations, and other industry partners, and securing funding to support both the Extension and research efforts are expected. The successful candidates specialty area may include high tunnel systems, integrated pest management, irrigation, soil and nutrient management, technologies that optimize crop yields and quality, and/or the development of sustainable crop production practices using precision agriculture technologies (e.g., use of sensors, variable rate application methods, etc.).

This position will include teaching two undergraduate courses in fruit and vegetable production (one every other year), and contribution to departmental/college/university and professional service.

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Horticulture, Crop Science, Agronomy, or a related field with an emphasis on vegetable crop production.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated expertise in field and/or high tunnel vegetable production systems.

• Experience developing and delivering extension programs to diverse audiences, including growers, industry partners, stakeholders, and extension field specialists.

• Demonstrated evidence of scholarly productivity in applied research, such as peer reviewed publications and grant writing.

• Teaching experience at undergraduate or graduate level.

• Expertise in the use of precision agriculture tools to improve vegetable production efficiency and sustainability and/or ability to use data-driven approaches and emerging technologies to address production challenges.

College and Department:

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is one of the worlds leading agricultural colleges preparing students to make a difference as leaders who address lifes greatest challenges in food, the environment, and plant-animal-health systems. The college offers the nations top agricultural technology programs, an award-winning entrepreneurship program, and the nations only student-managed farm. Learn more about the college at https://www.iastate.edu/academics/majors-minors-certificates/agriculture-and-life-sciences.

Iowa States Horticulture department is one of the oldest and most respected in the world being founded in 1877. For more about the department, visit http://www.hort.iastate.edu/.

Proposed Start Date:

Number of Months Employed Per Year:

Time Type:

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please click on Apply and complete the Employment Application. Please attach the following:

• Letter of application

• Resume/Curriculum Vitae

• Statement of extension philosophy

• Statement of research interests with plans for extramural funding

• Unofficial transcripts from universities attended

• Complete contact information for three professional references (References will not be contacted without prior notice to the candidate)

For guaranteed consideration, applications must be received by January 31, 2025. This posting will be open until the position is filled.

For questions regarding this vacancy, please contact:

Dr. Suzanne Slack
Search Committee Chair
Department of Horticulture
222 Horticulture Hall
Ames, IA 50011
slacksuz@iastate.edu
515-294-0035

Why Choose ISU?
Iowa State Faculty enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:
Retirement benefits, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
Generous leave plans
Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
Life insurance and long-term disability
Flexible Spending Accounts
Various voluntary benefits and discounts
Employee Assistance Program
Wellbeing program

Original Posting Date:

Posting Close Date:

Job Requisition Number: