Research Assistant Professor - Crop Science

Description:

The Research Assistant Professor is responsible for coordination and management of research to improve planting, growing, and marketing of crops. Research responsibilities will include developing key plant physiological parameters and under changing climate conditions for adoption and sustainability of local and alternate crops suitable to the region. The incumbent will establish a program of research geared to incorporate innovative state-of-the-art digital agriculture approaches to defining, understanding, and influencing sustainable crop growth around the energy-food-water nexus. The research will be geared to help improve farm management practices for efficient crop production using cutting-edge technologies. The candidate will collaborate on interdisciplinary research projects and provide service at department, college, and university levels. The successful candidate will be required to seek and secure extramural research funding, contribute scholarly literature, and effectively communicate research results to stakeholder groups. Teaching responsibilities include the mentoring and supervision of students in the areas of crop production systems.

This position complements other Departmental and inter-Departmental programs, and USDA statewide and regional initiatives on production including crop genetics, variety development, disease resistance, and postharvest biology. This position will help strengthen North Carolina's small farm economic viability and environmental integrity by offering relevant, valuable, and timely information that is generated and aggregated from CAES, agriculture-related agencies, and organizations. Within these systems, this position will connect a diverse set of actors including farmers, traditional extension professionals, consultants, non-profits, government agencies, and others. These networks will include both face-to-face personal relationships and those mediated by communication technology. This position will help connect farmers to a number of support agricultural production agencies and organizations that will be critical to a farming success and sustainability. This might include investigation of producing different crops, or low-cost effective approaches to reestablish the vitality of damaged croplands or pastures or developing barriers that would help withstand major weather events.

Primary Function of Organizational Unit:

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University's College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CAES) has a rich history of innovation and application of cutting-edge technology. From our pioneering Laboratory Animal Science and Landscape Architecture programs to our award-winning Cooperative Extension and Agricultural Research programs, our faculty and staff serve today's needs while keeping an eye on the future. With programs and expertise in such areas as biotechnology, agricultural and biosystems engineering, natural resources management, waste management, and food microbiology, the A&T College of Agriculture grows concurrently with the demand for qualified graduates. Our four academic departments are the Department of Agribusiness, Applied Economics and Agriscience Education; the Department of Animal Sciences; the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences; and the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Design. Within these departments, students will find a myriad of opportunities for classroom learning, research, and field work. Through our Agricultural Research Program and our Cooperative Extension Program, we are able to research issues of importance to North Carolina and provide research-based outreach training to citizens across the state and around the world.

Internal job number: 009018

Requirements:

- Ph.D. from an accredited university in Crop Science or a closely related field.
- Broad knowledge of production agriculture, including production.
- Computer literacy (proficiency in MS Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Office)
- Strong oral and written communication skills as well as strong interpersonal skills
- Ability to handle multiple demands and set priorities.
- Valid Driver’s license and personal transportation.
- Ability to travel and work after hours/weekends as needed.
- Must be able to lift at least 50 pounds safely to conduct livestock demonstrations and training.

Preferred:

- In addition to Ph.D., five or more years of professional experience in agricultural production research, academia or the private sector.
- Knowledge gained through one or more years of experience in agriculture research implementation, and evaluation.
- Experience with statistical analysis software.
- Experience planning, implementing, marketing and evaluating crop production programs.
- Ability to interact and gain support from constituencies outside the university such as business and industry, state and federal agencies and non-profit and private foundations.

Special Instructions:

You must complete and submit an electronic application for employment to be considered. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing an electronic application.

Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD 214 form. Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty with your application during the process of applying to the job posting. Final candidates are subject to criminal and sex offender background checks.

North Carolina A&T State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

North Carolina A&T State University is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. No one who applies or seeks employment will be denied admission to or employment at North Carolina A&T State University on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disabling condition, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or sexual orientation and sexual identity.