Careers

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 advancing WSU’s goals of diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

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.

The salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. Washington State University provides health insurance and contributes to the TIAA Retirement Plan. Start date is negotiable.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required

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

Preferred

1. Ability to develop an original research and extension program addressing the biology and management of plant diseases.
2. Potential to develop a dynamic, diverse, and innovative teaching program at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
3. Ability to advise and mentor graduate and undergraduate
4. Evidence of obtaining external funding in the form of competitive grants, gifts, and in-kind resources to support research and extension
5. Demonstrated commitment to advancing the goals of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

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 USA. 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.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Apply online via https://wsu.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/WSU_Jobs/job/Assistant-Professor_R-8411. The application must include: 1) a cover letter (maximum 2 pages); 2) a current curriculum vitae; 3) a research and extension statement (maximum 2 pages); 4) a teaching statement (maximum 1 page); 5) a statement of philosophy on diversity, equity, and inclusion (maximum 1 page); and 6) the names and contact information for four professional references. The application should address each of the required and preferred qualifications for the position. Combine all 6 documents into a single PDF file. Application screening will begin on March 8, 2023 and remain open until filled. For questions about the position, contact Lindsey du Toit, Search Committee Chair, dutoit@wsu.edu, 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@wsu.edu.