Assistant Professor and Extension Plant Pathologist - Sugarbeet Specialist

Position Information

North Dakota State University (NDSU) is seeking a highly-motivated individual for a 12-month, tenure track faculty plant pathology position with responsibilities for sugarbeet Extension (90%) and applied research (10%). The position is located in Fargo, ND and is funded jointly by NDSU and the University of Minnesota (UMN), who share a long and successful history of cooperating on this joint position. The successful applicant will utilize traditional and emerging communication platforms and techniques to develop a nationally-recognized Extension and applied research program that delivers information to producers and stakeholders in both North Dakota and Minnesota. The successful applicant will develop an applied research program that addresses stakeholder needs and supports Extension programming and graduate education. Travel and activity in both states is expected. The successful applicant will collaborate with researchers and Extension personnel with appointments at NDSU, UMN, USDA and others. Office space is provided by NDSU and the tenure evaluation process is an NDSU function. Position responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Provide leadership in planning, developing, and conducting extension education for a diverse clientele of ND and MN sugarbeet growers, sugarbeet cooperatives, Extension agents and educators, industry cooperators and others. Extension education will focus on primarily on plant disease management and agronomic production issues which affect sugarbeet yield and quality.
• Development of a successful applied research program that supports extension programming and graduate education, the focus of which may include (but is not limited to) any tools in an integrated pest management strategy for important diseases, including chemical, biological, genetic and cultural.
• Develop and disseminate unbiased, science-based, information through innovative extension programs and publications, which may include; field days, grower meetings, conferences, webinars, online publications, traditional media and social media.
• Secure extramural funding to support sugarbeet extension education and applied research.
• Communicate and cooperate with growers, agrochemical companies, sugarbeet cooperatives, ag media, the USDA, NDSU and UMN faculty and other partners to identify to develop integrated, environmentally sound approaches to crop production and protection.

Minimum qualifications include:

• Earned Ph.D. in plant pathology, plant or microbial sciences, or other closely related fields.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with university faculty and staff, producers, commodity groups, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to develop an effective extension program.
• Ability to develop an effective applied research program.
• Excellent oral, written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experiences in computer applications and technology to meet position requirements.
• Availability and willingness to travel to conduct Extension and research activities across the sugarbeet production region in ND, MN and MT on a regular basis.
• Valid U.S. driver's license or equivalent.

Preferred qualifications include:

• Previous Extension experience including resource and program development, delivery and evaluation.
• Experience working effectively with university faculty, Extension personnel, growers, land owners and managers, industry professionals, government entities, media and the public.
• Experience communicating research findings to producers or other stakeholders.
• Demonstrated grant writing experience and record of successfully securing funding for Extension and/or research activities.
• Experience conducting field research that addresses economically important disease or production problems.
• Experience with management of plant diseases with fungicides and fungicide resistance.

• Demonstrated ability to compose and publish Extension educational articles in high quality and relevant platforms (Extension publications, trade magazines, crop commodity websites, etc..).
• Demonstrated ability to conduct and publish applied research findings in relevant high-quality peer-reviewed academic journals (such as Plant Disease, Plant Health Progress, etc.).

Salary: Commensurate with qualifications.

Application: For full consideration, all application materials must be received by Friday, March 17, 2022.

Application materials must include:

1. An application letter that describes your Extension and research interests relative to the position and how the minimum and preferred qualifications are met.

2. Curriculum vitae.

3. Names and contact information for three references.

Please direct questions about the position or the department to either: Dr. Sam Markell, Professor and search committee chair at samuel.markell@ndsu.edu or Dr. Jack Rasmussen, Professor and Department Head, at jack.rasmussen@ndsu.edu .

Benefits:

NDSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes single or family health insurance coverage with premiums paid for by the university - with an effective date for new employees the first of the month following date of hire. Other benefits include: wellness benefits, basic life insurance, retirement plan, tuition waiver, annual leave, EAP, sick leave and holiday pay. Optional benefits include: supplemental life, dental, vision, long-term care insurance, flexible spending account, and supplemental retirement plans.

About Us:

North Dakota State University is distinctive as a student focused, land-grant, research university. We educate leaders who solve national and global challenges by providing affordable access to an excellent education that combines teaching and research in a rich learning environment.

NDSU is in the highest Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, R1, granted to the top research institutions in the country.

NDSU has offices across the state of North Dakota, and the main campus is in Fargo, on the Minnesota border. Along with Moorhead, Minnesota, Fargo forms one of the largest metropolitan centers between Minneapolis and Seattle. The community is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live.

No Smoking Notice :

As an employer, the State of North Dakota prohibits smoking in all places of state employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. § 23-12-10.

EO/AA Statement:

North Dakota State University is an Equal Opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, gender expression/identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, participation in lawful off-campus activity, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, public assistance status, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, spousal relationship to current employee, or veteran status, as applicable.

Veteran's Preference Notice:

This position is subject to North Dakota Veteran's Preference requirements.

Reasonable Accommodation Information

North Dakota State University 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, please contact Human Resources at 701-231-8961 or ndsu.hr@ndsu.edu .

Land Acknowledgement

We collectively acknowledge that NDSU, a land grant institution, on the traditional lands of the Oceti Sakowin (Dakota, Lakota, Nakoda) and Anishinaabe Peoples in addition to many diverse Indigenous Peoples still connected to these lands. We honor with gratitude Mother Earth and the Indigenous Peoples who have walked with her throughout generations. We will continue to learn how to live in unity with Mother Earth and build strong, mutually beneficial, trusting relationships with Indigenous Peoples of our region. (see www.ndsu.edu/inclusioncouncil/native_american_initiatives/ ).