Assistant Professor- Weed Extension with Oregon State University in Corvallis, OR

Type of position Full-time, 1.0 FTE tenure-track Assistant Professor position
Employer Oregon State University
Location Corvallis, OR
Salary Salary is commensurate with skills, education and experience
Closing date of competition 10/01/2023
Date position available 01/01/2024
Description of duties
This is a full-time, 1.0 FTE tenure-track Assistant Professor position at Oregon State University in the Department of Crop & Soil Science Extension. This position is funded at 0.75 FTE and the faculty member is expected to fund the other 0.25 FTE from grants and contracts. For the first three years, full funding would be provided by the college at 1.0 FTE. This position has assignment as Assistant Professor Extension Specialist with a statewide assignment. This position contributes to the missions of OSU Extension Service and the College of Agricultural Sciences with principal responsibility for needs assessment, Extension program development, Extension teaching, and program evaluation.

The primary purpose of this position is to lead an innovative educational outreach and applied research program in integrated weed management throughout Oregon and, as time allows, in other agricultural and non-agricultural settings. The incumbent contributes to the missions of Oregon State University Extension Service and the College of Agricultural Sciences with principal responsibility for needs assessment, Extension program development, delivery, and evaluation in integrated weed management in agronomic crops for adult learners. Specific emphasis is on environmentally and economically sustainable weed management programs for Oregon. This position will require traveling.

The incumbent will work independently and in multidisciplinary teams to i) conduct applied, field-based research to respond to the needs of stakeholders in Oregon crops, and ii) develop extension programming to improve the adoption of integrated weed management programs while promoting long-term sustainable farming practices. The incumbent is expected to have a commitment to and an understanding of the importance of enhancing diversity in the development and delivery of their program efforts.
 
55% Extension
  • Utilize Oregon State University’s six principles of teaching excellence which include audience consideration, planning, enhanced engagement, teaching, assessment, and reflection to provide a high level of non-credit teaching for extension audiences.
  • Provide statewide leadership in developing, delivering, and evaluating extension education programs on applied integrated weed management in agronomic crops including dryland agriculture.
  • Develop these programs in partnership with the agriculture industry, other public agencies, and colleagues in the state and across the Pacific Northwest.
  • Collaborate with extension and research faculty located around the state to identify, develop, and implement research and educational programs to address critical weed management problems within local/regional cropping systems and/or have statewide implications. Provide training and support of extension field-based faculty.
  • Provide educational outreach to producers, consultants/advisors, processors, and agriculture industry reps through traditional and non-traditional/multi-media informational delivery such as demonstration/research trials, field days/tours, short courses, and workshops. Multiple trial sites and event locations may be necessary to address needs across the state.
  • Provide leadership for and contribute updated content for the annual revision of agronomic crop chapters in the Pacific Northwest Weed Control Handbook.
  • Serve as a resource for field-based (off-campus) extension faculty, producers, agriculture industry professionals, and the Oregon Department of Agriculture.
  • Attend university, extension, industry, and professional organization training and in-service programs to improve ability and knowledge to perform assigned duties.
  • A driver’s license and travel to off campus sites will be required to complete essential duties.
  • Utilize technology to increase the impact of program delivery on constituents including participating with the “Ask Extension” program. Use multiple methods of electronic communication to collaborate internally and externally as appropriate.
  • Link program-level output with the overall OSUES and OSU brand in all opportunities.
  • Provide community and statewide leaders and decision makers with the understanding and context on how program-level extension work relates to OSUES programming output. Annually provide impact statement reports adhering to OSUES criteria.
  • Include a diversity of perspectives in program content with particular attention to concerns of marginalized individuals/populations. Develop plans of work addressing educational needs and evaluate the impact of educational programs provided to audiences as appropriate. Actively evaluate and communicate the outcomes of program activities and file required reports as requested by department, college, and university administrators.

 20% Applied Research

  • Develop integrated weed management strategies that incorporate chemical, cultural, biological, and mechanical control methods and integrate weed biology, ecology, and adaptive management practices.
  • Applied weed management research in agronomic crops should emphasize, but not be limited to, biology/ecology of problematic weed species, management of herbicide-resistant weed species, emerging weed management technologies, and management of invasive weed species in non-ag settings.
  • Conduct herbicide screening trials to support potential new registrations in agronomic crops and support IR-4 Program efforts in Oregon.
  • Keep up to date on scientific, technological, and industry developments and trends at state, regional, and national levels. Test developments under Oregon cropping and climatic conditions when appropriate.
  • Discover and adapt new information concerning integrated weed management in agronomic crops and communicate this information through appropriate channels.
  • Develop and obtain extramural funding for the support of research activity through grants, gifts, and contracts.
  • Serve as an investigator on a USDANIFA Hatch collaborative or Hatch multistate project.
 
15% Scholarship
  • Scholarship is defined as creative, intellectual work that is both validated by peers and communicated. The emphasis in scholarship should be placed on outcomes that recognize activities as defined by the incumbent’s position description.
  • Validation of scholarship through procurement of competitive grants.
  • Work with collaborators and graduate students to publish thesis and other scholarly works.
  • To achieve promotion, scholarship for this position must include peer-reviewed materials that are durable and findable in the web environment. Documentation must be if shows these scholarly outputs have had an impact.
  • Maintain a solid record of peer-reviewed research publications.
  • Communication of scholarship through presentations to state, regional, national and international professional groups, Extension faculty, stakeholders, media, and other outlets as appropriate.
 
5% Service
  • The incumbent will provide service to the department, college, 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.
Qualifications sought
  • Ph.D. in weed science, agronomy, crop science, or closely related discipline with a strong research background in applied weed science.
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; work independently and cooperatively within a team; and work and communicate with colleagues, stakeholders, the general public, policymakers, academics, and students.
  • Strong scientific writing and technical presentation skills. Demonstrated record of publishing peer-reviewed documents commensurate with career level.
  • Experience in securing extramural funding.
  • Demonstrable commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity.
  • General knowledge of computers, including proficiency with communication technology (e.g. e-mail, internet media).
  • Must have or be able to obtain an Oregon Department of Agriculture Pesticide Consultant License within six months of employment and maintain it throughout employment.
  • This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard: 05-010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.
  • This position requires driving a university vehicle or a personal vehicle on behalf of the university; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a motor vehicle history check, possess and maintain a current, valid driver’s license in their state of residence, be determined to be position qualified and self-report convictions as per University Policy 05-030.
Contact for additional information Thomas Chastain
[email protected]
Application procedure  
Submit what When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic documents:

1) A resume/CV; and

2) A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position.

3) How will you incorporate innovative approaches in research and extension programming? Address how you will connect your program statewide to various needs of diverse audiences. (Upload as Other Document 1)

4) After reviewing the OSU mission statement at http://leadership.oregonstate.edu/trustees/oregon-state-university-mission-statement and the emphasis on diversity, please state how your background and experience has prepared you to be effective in an environment that values diversity. (Attach as Diversity Statement)

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.

Submit to Application page: https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/postings/142117