NDSU Department of Plant Sciences invites applications for this 12-month, tenure track position at the academic level of Assistant Professor. The rapid expansion of invasive and noxious weeds poses threats to natural area management and agriculture in North Dakota. This position will require focus and rapid reaction to provide timely research and management recommendations relevant to rangeland, pastures, cropland, and rights-of-way areas. The person filling this position will establish collaborative working relationships within NDSU and across the statewide agronomist network, as well as with state agencies and private industries. Cooperation with local land managers will be important to plan and conduct research aimed at limiting the spread of early invaders and unique weedy targets. Potential areas of research include weed biology, invasive species ecology and management, herbicide resistance screening, biological control, or site-specific herbicide application technology.
The position is a 90% research appointment with a 10% teaching responsibility. The successful candidate will be expected to: (i) Establish and lead an integrated and collaborative research program focused on management of invasive and noxious weeds; (ii) Solicit project funding from state and industry clientele and acquire competitive extramural funding from state, regional, and national agencies; (iii) Disseminate information by preparing field research tours for clientele, publishing results in research reports and peer-reviewed journals, and presenting information at scientific conferences and to grower/commodity groups; (iv) Work collaboratively and collegially with other scientists, Extension professionals, agronomists, producers, county weed boards, and stakeholders to identify needs and meet desired outcomes; (v) Provide stakeholders information about noxious weed legislation and serve as a liaison to county weed entities and NDSU Extension; (vi) Teach one agronomy-related course per year; (vii) Participate in undergraduate advising and supervise graduate students’ academic and research programs; and (viii) Serve on committees at the Department, College, and University levels and participate in appropriate professional society activities.
Minimum Qualifications¦ Ph.D. in weed science at time of appointment or Ph.D. in related area with experience in weed science¦ Familiarity with integrated weed management practices, including herbicide use¦ Knowledge about weed biology, ecology, and weed identification¦ Demonstrated ability to generate and disseminate research results¦ Effective written and oral communication skills¦ Collegial nature to interact effectively with diverse audiences and clientele¦ North Dakota Commercial Applicator License or ability to obtain¦ A valid U.S. driver’s license or equivalentPreferred Qualifications¦ Experience with invasive or noxious weed management¦ Farm background or other relevant land management activities¦ Demonstrated ability to provide recommendations for land managers, farmers, and crop advisors¦ Experience supervising personnel¦ Experience teaching diverse audiences in either an academic or Extension setting¦ Demonstrated success obtaining funding from extramural sources
