Plant Pathologist and State Extension Specialist – Vegetable Crops Pathology

Applications are being invited for the position of Plant Pathologist and State Extension Specialist in vegetable crop pathology in the Department of Plant Pathology (plantpath.osu.edu) in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University. This is a 9-month tenure-track position at the Assistant or Associate Professor level, with responsibilities for Research (50%), Extension (40%), and Teaching (10%).

The successful candidate will be expected to develop a strong interdisciplinary, nationally, and internationally recognized Research and Extension program focused on biotic diseases of vegetable crops. The incumbent will build a cutting-edge research program designed to develop and test the efficacy of integrated disease management strategies that will inform their extension activities in a changing climate. The research program should incorporate field or protected/controlled environment settings, for both conventional and organic vegetable production systems. The successful candidate will implement an Extension program to inform and guide stakeholders on the causes and remediation of vegetable diseases. This will include the production of electronic and printed materials as well as in-person presentations and visits. Teaching commitments will include co-teaching Fruit and Vegetable Diseases (PLNTPTH 5150), teaching and coordinating the team-taught course Plant Disease Diagnosis (PLNTPTH 5685), both of which are offered every other year, and providing guest lectures in other courses. The incumbent will support the C. Wayne Ellett Plant and Pest Diagnostics Clinic as the expert on vegetable diseases by assisting with the diagnosis of vegetable samples and providing management recommendations. The incumbent will be expected to contribute to a collegial environment, develop internal and external collaborative relationships, and seek both internal and external research, extension, or teaching program support funds from local, government, industry, and other sources.

Qualifications

Candidates must hold a Ph.D. in plant pathology or other relevant areas of biological science, with training in plant pathogen identification, characterization, ecology, and disease epidemiology and management. Strong documented experience in contemporary research and diagnostic techniques and grant writing, an excellent publication record, and postdoctoral training is highly desirable. Experience with vegetable crop pathology is desirable but not required. It is expected that the candidate has a strong commitment to graduate education, advising, and training.

Location

Laboratory and office space are located on the Wooster campus. The Department and College maintain state-wide field research facilities as well as core analytical instrumentation centers.

The Department of Plant Pathology

We consist of faculty, postdoctoral scientists, students, and staff based at the Columbus and Wooster Campuses of The Ohio State University. Faculty members conduct and lead nationally and internationally recognized research, extension, education, and development programs in fulfillment of the university’s Land Grant mission. We offer B.S. degree programs in Plant Pathology, M.S., and Ph.D. degree programs in Plant Pathology, as well as a professional Master in Plant Health Management (MPHM). Specializations of the faculty range from genomics and molecular biology to quantitative epidemiology and disease management. We are committed to enhancing an already excellent team of diverse faculty, students, and staff, and promoting positive and inclusive work environments for all individuals.  Additional information is available at the department’s website, plantpath.osu.edu.

Application Procedure

Review of complete applications will begin on August 31, 2023, and continue until a qualified candidate is identified. Qualified persons are requested to submit the following: 1) a letter of application; 2) a complete Curriculum Vitae including names, addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses of three references; 3) a statement of research interests (limit two pages);  4) a statement of teaching and advising philosophy (limit two pages); and 5) a statement of philosophy and approach to building a diverse, inclusive and welcoming environment for faculty, staff, and students (limit one page). Submit application materials in one pdf file when applying at: https://osu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/OSUCareers/job/Wooster-Campus/Assistant-Associate-Professor-Vegetable-Crop-Pathology_R73882-1

For specific questions about the position, please contact Dr. Soledad Benitez Ponce, Search Committee Chair, benitezponce.1@osu.edu.

The Ohio State University is committed to establishing a culturally and intellectually diverse environment, encouraging all members of our learning community to reach their full potential. We are responsive to dual-career families and strongly promote work-life balance to support our community members through a suite of institutionalized policies. We are an NSF Advance Institution and a member of the Ohio/Western Pennsylvania/ West Virginia Higher Education Recruitment Consortium.