Assistant Prof and State Extension Vegetable Specialist BF9549

Oklahoma State University•Stillwater, OK

33d•Hybrid

About The Position

Oklahoma State University (OSU) is seeking to fill a full-time, eleven-month, tenure-track faculty position as Assistant Professor and State Extension Vegetable Specialist in vegetable production systems within the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture. This role involves a 75% Extension and 25% research appointment. The selected candidate will be responsible for developing an integrated Extension and applied research program focused on vegetable production across various systems, including commercial-scale, small-acreage farming, market gardening, and community food systems. Key program areas may encompass crop and cultivar selection, irrigation and fertility management, abiotic and biotic stress management, cover crops, and other emerging needs identified in collaboration with Oklahoma growers and industry stakeholders. Applications will be reviewed starting January 11, 2027, and will continue until the position is filled. The anticipated start date is on or after May 1, 2026.

Requirements

An earned Ph.D. in Horticulture, Agronomy, Plant Sciences, Soil Science, Environmental Science, or a closely related field, with academic preparation or experience relevant to vegetable crop production.
All degree requirements must be completed by the position start date.
Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively with professional and public audiences.
Ability to travel throughout Oklahoma.
Ability to conduct Extension programming and applied field research.

Nice To Haves

Experience in Extension programming, applied research, or commercial production involving vegetable crops.
Evidence of scholarly and Extension productivity.
Experience developing competitive grant proposals or serving as a principal investigator or co-principal investigator on externally funded projects.
Experience assessing stakeholder needs and evaluating Extension program outcomes.
Demonstrated ability to communicate through in-person, written, digital, and multimedia formats.
Evidence of effective collaboration, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and contribute effectively as a team member.

Responsibilities

Work cooperatively with Extension educators, area and state specialists, growers, producers, farmers’ market organizations, and industry stakeholders to identify priority needs and develop, implement, and evaluate research-based Extension programs.
Assess and continually improve the reach, effectiveness, and impact of these programs.
Conduct applied research to evaluate and improve vegetable production practices and systems that are sustainable, economically viable, and socially responsible.
Develop a high-impact, externally supported Extension and applied research program with statewide relevance and the potential for regional and national recognition.
Disseminate program and research findings through peer-reviewed journal articles, Extension publications, grower handbooks, trade or industry publications, presentations, demonstrations, and other appropriate communication channels.
Share Extension information through in-person programs, publications, field demonstrations, digital media, and other appropriate platforms.
Participate actively in relevant professional societies and conferences and contribute to the broader professional community through collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Develop and maintain effective grower and stakeholder relationships and travel throughout Oklahoma to conduct site visits, engage with growers and industry partners, provide research-based support and recommendations, and identify emerging needs and opportunities.
Conduct Extension programming and applied field research at one or more locations, potentially including the OSU Student Farm, The Botanic Garden at OSU in Stillwater, the OSU Cimarron Valley Research Station in Perkins, the OSU Mingo Valley Research Station in Bixby, and cooperating farms throughout Oklahoma.
Recruit and mentor graduate students and serve as a major advisor and chair of graduate advisory committees in the Horticulture M.S. program and, as appropriate, the Crop Science, Food Science, or Environmental Science interdisciplinary Ph.D. programs.
Contribute to graduate education through service on graduate advisory committees.
Work cooperatively with OSU faculty and staff.
Serve as a member of the OSU vegetable crop production systems team.
Provide appropriate service to the department, division, university, and profession.
Participate in relevant professional development activities.
Complete required university, division, and departmental training.