Assistant/Associate/Professor (Rice Extension Specialist)

Louisiana State University • Baton Rouge, LA

41d • Onsite

About The Position

This is a full-time 12-month, tenure-track position with an 80% extension and 20% research appointment focused on all aspects of rice production that are relevant to the Louisiana rice industry. This position is intended to be a primary point of contact for rice producers and crop consultants. The successful candidate must interact with commodity and agricultural industry partners to identify, develop, and implement critical extension programs and research projects. Collaboration with research and extension faculty within Louisiana, as well as with national experts on issues of shared interest and importance will be critical. Formal participation in multi-disciplinary, regional, or national research initiatives will be expected. Results of research should be published in peer-reviewed journals and other scientific/technical publications. Extramural funding to support the activities of the position should be solicited from federal and state agencies, commodity (state and national) research boards, and agro-industries. The successful candidate will be expected to develop applied and mission-oriented extension and research programs, focused on production issues that are important to the rice industry. Collaborative and independent research efforts would be expected to be conducted at the HRC Rice Research Station, LSU AgCenter stations throughout the state, and/or on farm with cooperating producers. Extension responsibilities would include information and technology transfer as well as stakeholder and agent education. These efforts would be expected to be accomplished through a variety of delivery methods which could include, but are not limited to, demonstration trials, field days, producer meetings, contribution to commodity web pages, social media, agricultural trade magazines, and traditional extension methods (newsletters, blogs, email blasts, oral delivery, and formal extension publications). The faculty member would be expected to work with advisory committees to identify clientele needs, develop research and extension programs that respond to those needs, and assess program impact. Additional duties include participation in professional and technical meetings and other outreach as is necessary to inform producers, industry personnel, and other research scientists of project activities and findings. This position has the opportunity to train graduate students and serve on graduate student committees. This faculty member will report to the Resident Coordinator of the HRC Rice Research Station and the Southwest Regional Director.

Requirements

• A Ph.D. in agronomy, soil science, plant pathology, plant breeding, entomology, weed science or other closely related agricultural field of study is required.
• Documented training in field crops research and agronomic production practices is critical to the success of the position.
• Applicants must have demonstrated effective oral, written and electronic communication skills necessary for presentations to a variety of audiences.
• Evidence of successful grantsmanship, research activity, and stakeholder interaction will be important considerations.
• The ability to multi-task and work in a team environment with research and extension faculty representing other disciplines is critical.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with the US rice industry and/or knowledge of production farming practices and challenges is strongly desired.

Responsibilities

• Interact with commodity and agricultural industry partners to identify, develop, and implement critical extension programs and research projects.
• Collaborate with research and extension faculty within Louisiana, as well as with national experts on issues of shared interest and importance.
• Participate in multi-disciplinary, regional, or national research initiatives.
• Publish results of research in peer-reviewed journals and other scientific/technical publications.
• Solicit extramural funding to support the activities of the position from federal and state agencies, commodity (state and national) research boards, and agro-industries.
• Develop applied and mission-oriented extension and research programs, focused on production issues that are important to the rice industry.
• Conduct collaborative and independent research efforts at the HRC Rice Research Station, LSU AgCenter stations throughout the state, and/or on farm with cooperating producers.
• Extension responsibilities would include information and technology transfer as well as stakeholder and agent education.
• Work with advisory committees to identify clientele needs, develop research and extension programs that respond to those needs, and assess program impact.
• Participate in professional and technical meetings and other outreach as is necessary to inform producers, industry personnel, and other research scientists of project activities and findings.
• Train graduate students and serve on graduate student committees.

Benefits

• retirement
• multiple medical insurance options
• supplemental insurances (dental, life, long-term disability, accident, vision, long-term care, etc.)
• Tax Saver Flexible Benefits Plan (saves tax dollars on some child care and medical expenses)
• university holidays (14 per year, typically includes a week off at Christmas)
• generous annual (vacation) and sick leave benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• possible educational leave and tuition exemption for coursework at campuses of the LSU System

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Industry: Educational Services
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees