Washington State University – Distinguished Endowed Chair in Soil Health for Potato Cropping Systems, full-time, permanent tenured/tenure-track, assistant, associate, or professor rank
The Department of Crop and Soil Sciences (CSS) in the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resources Sciences (CAHNRS) at Washington State University (WSU) seeks a dynamic, motivated, problem-solving leader to join an extraordinary team of faculty members. The position begins on or about July 1, 2025 with a salary range of $90,000 - $168,750. The Distinguished Endowed Chair will create and lead an internationally recognized research program that is integrated and closely collaborates with growers and the processing industry in the Columbia Basin to develop practical methods, means, and risk management tools to promote soil health and improve potato productivity. The research will improve the efficiency and productivity (yield, disease control, quality, and economic returns) of potato cropping systems by focusing research on soil ecosystems in Columbia Basin potato cropping systems, which includes potatoes, rotation crops with potatoes, and cover crops. The Chair will collaborate with and complement other research and extension activities conducted by WSU including the Washington Soil Health Initiative, and other PNW public and private sector scientists, extension professionals, crop consultants, growers, and processors. In addition, the individual must i) seek and obtain extramural funds to support the program and complement the endowment; ii) regularly engage with and disseminate information to stakeholders by contributing to extension efforts, participate in in industry meetings, and other research-based outreach and outputs; and iii) deliver high quality instruction at the advanced undergraduate or graduate levels. This position is located on the WSU main campus in Pullman, with expectations to conduct research in the irrigated Columbia Basin of central Washington (approximately 2-hr drive). The position reports directly to the Chair of CSS. Information about WSU CAHNRS can be found at http://cahnrs.wsu.edu, and CSS at http://css.wsu.edu. Required qualifications for all ranks: i) Earned Ph.D. degree in soil science, soil microbiology, biogeochemistry, horticulture, plant pathology, or a closely related field by employment start date. Additional requirements for Associate rank: Must have served at least 6 years in academic, industry or a federal lab after Ph.D.; Must have experience in mentoring and leading funded research programs. Additional requirements for Professor rank: Must have served at least 10 years in academic, industry or a federal lab after Ph.D.; Must have experience in mentoring and leading funded research programs; Must be a recognized leader through national/international accomplishments and awards. Preferred qualifications for all ranks: i) Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with technical and nontechnical audiences in oral, written, and electronic forms; ii) Demonstrated leadership in developing and executing interdisciplinary research programs; iii) Demonstrated ability to collaborate with industry and the crop research community on a local, regional, national, and international scale; iv) Demonstrated record of acquiring extramural competitive grant support; v) Knowledge of state-of-the-art techniques applicable to potato soil health research; vi) Experience or expressed interest in working with potato-based crop rotations and irrigated agriculture systems; vii) Demonstrated evidence of effective teaching and student mentoring; and viii) Demonstrated knowledge and ability to work effectively with individuals and groups of diverse cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.
This position closes on December 8, 2024 and screening will begin immediately after. This position is posted on the WSU Jobs site at http://www.wsujobs.com. To apply, please be prepared to submit a detailed letter of application addressing the required and preferred qualifications, a current curriculum vitae, unofficial transcripts (optional) or a list of courses relevant to the position, and a list of three (3) references (names, e-mail addresses, and phone numbers). For questions about the position contact: Dr. Rich Koenig, richk@wsu.edu. EEO/AA/ADA