Assistant Professor

The Opportunity:

The Department of Plant Pathology at Washington State University (WSU) is recruiting for a full-time (12 months), tenure-track position in plant pathology at the rank of Assistant Professor. The successful candidate is expected to develop a nationally and internationally recognized research program leading to enhanced management of diseases of potatoes grown in Washington State and the Pacific Northwest. The successful candidate is also expected to develop an extension program relevant to Washington potato production; contribute to the teaching mission of the department and the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS); provide service contributions to the department, college, and university; and contribute to WSU's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence.

Summary of Duties:

The successful candidate will be part of a dynamic research and extension team comprising WSU and USDA scientists over several academic units based in Pullman and the Research and Extension Centers in Prosser and Mount Vernon, WA. Washington is the second largest producer of processing potatoes in the United States and has substantial table and seed potato production. The successful candidate is expected to participate in transdisciplinary teams, collaborate with faculty at WSU as well as with state, federal, and industry scientists in the region and beyond. Potential research areas may include, but are not limited to, the etiology, ecology, epidemiology, diagnostics, population biology, and management of pathogens relevant to processing, table, and seed potato production in Washington, with a primary focus on fungal, oomycete, and bacterial diseases. The candidate will develop an integrated extension program that engages with diverse stakeholders in the Pacific Northwest potato industry. The successful candidate is expected to acquire competitive grant funding from national, regional, state, and industry sources.

Teaching duties include a graduate level course in epidemiology and management of plant diseases and contributions to a team-taught introductory plant pathology course. The person filling this position is expected to serve as an effective mentor to both undergraduate and graduate students, and to serve as major advisor and committee member for students working toward M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to student recruitment and retention, and participate in departmental, university, and professional service activities. The successful applicant will be expected to conduct a program of research and effective engagement consistent with the mission of the WSU CAHNRS Office of Research (https://cahnrs.wsu.edu/research/). The person will also contribute to WSU’s strategic focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required
1. An earned doctorate in plant pathology or related field at the time of hire.
2. Evidence of research productivity commensurate with career level.
3. Evidence of effective oral and written communication skills.

Preferred

• Ability to develop an original research and extension program addressing the biology and management of plant diseases.

• Potential to develop a dynamic, diverse, and innovative teaching program at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

• Ability to advise and mentor graduate and undergraduate students.

• Evidence of obtaining external funding in the form of competitive grants, gifts, and in-kind resources to support research and extension programs.

• Demonstrated commitment to advancing the goals of diversity, equity, and inclusion

Location:

Washington State University: Washington State University (WSU) is a comprehensive land-grant research institution with the main campus located in Pullman, and additional campuses in Spokane, the Tri-Cities (Richland, Pasco, and Kennewick), Everett, and Vancouver, Washington. There are 11 colleges and a graduate school. More than 27,5 00 undergraduate and graduate students are served by the Pullman campus. WSU offers some 245 fields of study, including more than 96undergraduate majors, 144 graduate degree programs, and many minors, options, and certificate programs. Bachelor’s degrees are available in all major areas, with master’s and doctoral degrees available in most. WSU is one of the largest residential universities in the western United States. WSU ranks among the top 60 public research universities in the United States, and is a Carnegie RI, Doctoral/Research Extensive University. WSU strongly values diversity among faculty, staff, and students, and seeks to ensure a welcoming community for all. To learn more about WSU, visit: https://wsu.edu/.

College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS):

Recognizing its unique land-grant research and educational mission to the people of Washington State and beyond, CAHNRS is proud to provide leadership in discovering, accessing, and sharing knowledge through high quality research, instruction, and extension programs. These programs contribute to a safe and abundant food and fiber supply; promote the well-being of individuals, families, and communities; enhance sustainability of agricultural and economic systems; and promote stewardship of natural resources and the environment. CAHNRS is an academically-diverse college and the largest college at WSU with ~2,000 undergraduate and 460 graduate students, providing opportunities to engage, share, and support one another across 13 departments and 4 research and extension centers throughout the state. To learn more about CAHNRS, visit: http://cahnrs.wsu.edu.

Department of Plant Pathology:

The tenure unit for this position is the Department of Plant Pathology(https://plantpath.wsu.edu/), which offers one of the most comprehensive plant pathology programs in the country. Faculty are engaged in a wide range of research activities that address biological, molecular, epidemiological, and biotechnological investigations into diverse groups of microorganisms that threaten the sustainability and profitability of numerous economically important crops. Protecting crops from destructive diseases and ensuring plant health by using environmentally sound and sustainable strategies are some of the core strengths of our department. Plant pathology faculty are located on the WSU main campus in Pullman and at Research and Extension Centers in Mount Vernon, Prosser, Puyallup, and Wenatchee. Several USDA-ARS scientists hold adjunct faculty appointments in the department.

Additional Information:

Area/College: College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS)

Department Name: Department of Plant Pathology

Department Link: https://plantpath.wsu.edu/

Yearly Salary: $90,000.00 - $95,000.00

In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation and optional supplemental retirement accounts.

For a more detailed summary of benefits offered by WSU for Faculty visit: https://hrs.wsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/2022-Benefit-Overview-for-Faculty-and-AP.pdf. Find total compensation information here: https://hrs.wsu.edu/managers/recruitment-toolkit/total-compensation/.

FTE: 100%

Tenure Track: Yes

This is a Permanent position.

Screening Begin Date:

This position has been posted as Open until Filled. The screening of applicants will begin March 8, 2023 and remain on-going until a successful finalist has been identified.

Background Check:

This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need.  A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.

Application Instructions:

Applicants must attach the following documents to their online application:

1) Cover letter (maximum 2 pages)

2) Current curriculum vitae

3) Research and extension statement (maximum 2 pages)

4) Teaching statement (maximum 1 page)

5) A statement of philosophy on diversity, equity, and inclusion (maximum 1 page)

6) Names and contact information for four professional references.

Applicants are required to include contact information for professional references within the application. Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets required and preferred qualifications.

For questions about the position: Please contact Lindsey du Toit, Search Committee Chair, via email at dutoit(at)wsu.edu or phone 360-848-6140.

WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFRIMATIVE ACTION EDUCATOR AND EMPLOYER. Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled 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, has faculty friendly policies including a partner accommodation program and an NSF ADVANCE Institutional Transformation grant (see https://advance.wsu.edu/ and https://advance.wsu.edu/nsfgrantproposal/).

WSU employs only US citizens and lawfully authorized non-US citizens. All new employees must have employment eligibility verification as required by the US Citizenship and immigration Services.

Washington State University is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in their 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, Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509- 335-1259, or hrs(at)wsu.edu.

Time Type: Full time

Position Term: 12 Month

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

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(at)wsu.edu.