Assistant Professor of Weed Science

The Department of Crop and Soil Science invites applications for a full-time (1.00 FTE), 9 month, Tenure Track Assistant Professor position. 

The primary purpose of this position is to conduct applied research addressing improved management of weed populations in integrated systems, complemented with research on site-specific, precision weed management methodologies. Teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in weed science is also expected.     Evolved resistance of weeds to herbicides is a significant management problem in Oregon crops, necessitating identification of systems approaches to reducing the selection for and spread of herbicide resistant weed populations, and development of novel methods of weed management. Furthermore, site-specific weed management technology shows considerable promise to reduce the heavy reliance on chemical weed control common in contemporary crop production systems, and may reduce the cost and difficulty of controlling these important pests. Continued advances in unmanned aerial vehicles, robotics, artificial intelligence and machine learning, and other such smart technologies offer enormous potential to advance site-specific weed management in the near future, and to develop more sustainable approaches to weed management. The incumbent will work independently and in multi-disciplinary teams to: i.) conduct applied, field-based research to improve management of herbicide resistant weed populations with both chemical and non-chemical means applied in integrated systems in Oregon crops, and ii) develop and advance site-specific and precision weed management approaches. The successful candidate is also expected to have a commitment to and an understanding of the importance of enhancing diversity.
  The Department of Crop and Soil Science has 114 on-campus faculty and staff, and an additional 33 off-campus faculty located at branch experiment stations and county extension offices with academic homes in CSS.   These faculty and staff are engaged in the department’s four missions in research, teaching, extension, and service.  There are more than 100 students seeking CSS degrees ranging from the BS to PhD.  Three on-campus service units are an important part of our service mission – OSU Seed Laboratory, OSU Seed Certification, and the Soil Health Lab.  College of Agricultural Sciences faculty are committed to enhancing student success by engaging students in quality academic, research, internships, global studies, and other experiential learning opportunities.    Position Duties:
45% Research 1. Research will focus on applied research addressing stakeholder need for improved management of herbicide resistant weed populations using both chemical and non-chemical strategies applied in integrated field crop systems. 2. This will be supplemented with research on development and application of advanced technologies, analytics and tools for field-level decision-making, precise application of weed control inputs, and real-time weed management using site-specific practices in Oregon field crops including but not limited to grass seed, clover seed, wheat, oilseeds, mint, and forages.  3. Develop and obtain extramural funding for the support of research activity through grants, gifts, and contracts. 4. Serve as an investigator on a USDA-NIFA Hatch collaborative or Hatch multistate project.   25% Scholarship Scholarship is creative, intellectual work that is both validated by peers and communicated. Emphasis in scholarship should be placed on outcomes that recognize activities as defined by the incumbent’s position description. 1. Validation of scholarship through procurement of competitive grants. 2. Work with collaborators and graduate students to publish thesis and other scholarly works. 3. To achieve promotion, scholarship for this position must include peer-reviewed materials that are durable and findable in the web environment.  Documentation must be provided that shows these scholarly outputs have had an impact. 4. Maintain a solid record of peer reviewed research publications. 5.  Communication of scholarship through presentations to state, regional, national and international professional groups, societies, media, and other outlets as appropriate.   20% Teaching Specific teaching duties may include, but are not limited to on-campus and Ecampus versions of the following: 1. CROP 440/540 Weed Science each academic year 2. CROP 6XX Graduate Weed Science course of incumbent’s choice on an alternate year basis.   These duties include maintenance, facilitation, and delivery of courses and student performance assessment through evaluation and grade assignment. The incumbent will review and update current curriculum as needed.

5% Service The incumbent will provide service to the department, college, and university through committee service and appropriate leadership as requested by the department, college, and university. They will also maintain active membership and involvement in professional organizations.   5% Supervision Supervise various research workers including postdocs, visiting scientists, faculty research assistants, graduate students, temporary workers, and/or student workers as funding allows.   Minimum/Required Qualifications:

• PhD in weed science, crop science, agronomy, horticulture, or related discipline.
• Research experience in weed science, agronomy, crop physiology, or related areas.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; work independently and cooperatively within a team; and work and communicate with colleagues.
• Evidence of teaching experience at the college or university level or demonstrated ability to effectively teach at these levels.
• Strong scientific writing and technical presentation skills.
• Experience in securing extramural funding.
• Demonstrable commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity.
• Ability to obtain and maintain licensure by the Oregon Department of Agriculture as a Pesticide Consultant.

When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic documents:

1) A CV; and    2) A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position.   You will also be required to submit the names of at least three professional references, their e-mail addresses and telephone numbers as part of the application process.   For additional information please contact:  Thomas Chastain at Thomas.chastain@oregonstate.edu