Assistant Professor - Specialty Crop Weed Scientist

Auburn University•Auburn, AL

11h

About The Position

The Department of Horticulture in Auburn University's College of Agriculture seeks a tenure-track Assistant Professor in specialty crop weed science. This full-time, nine-month appointment is composed of 75% research and 25% instruction. The successful candidate will develop a nationally recognized, externally funded program focused on weed management in specialty crop production systems. The projected start date is August 16, 2027. The research program will advance understanding and develop practical approaches to weed detection, management, and control in economically important specialty crops, including food and ornamental crops produced in conventional and organic systems. Applied field research should address weed management challenges and provide practical, research-based solutions for commercial specialty crop producers in Alabama. Depending on the candidate's expertise and program direction, research may integrate chemical and nonchemical methods with technologies such as advanced sensors, unmanned aerial vehicles, rovers, autonomous scouting, precision application, and other smart systems. The position includes collaboration with departmental and university scientists, Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station personnel, Alabama Cooperative Extension System specialists and regional agents, industry partners, commodity groups, and commercial producers. The candidate will publish in peer-reviewed journals, present findings to scientific and industry audiences, and provide research-based information supporting Extension education and producer decisions. Instructional duties include developing and teaching a four-credit undergraduate/graduate course in Weed Management in Specialty Cropping Systems and an additional graduate course aligned with the candidate's expertise and student needs. The candidate will mentor undergraduate researchers and graduate students and participate in departmental, college, university, and professional service.

Requirements

Earned Ph.D. in horticulture, crop science, agronomy, or a closely related plant science discipline from an accredited institution by the time employment begins.
Experience conducting field research in agricultural cropping systems.
Experience using conventional or novel methods for weed detection and control in an agricultural cropping system.
Meet eligibility requirements to work in the United States when the appointment begins and maintain legal work authorization for the term of employment.

Nice To Haves

Scholarly productivity including peer-reviewed publications and presentations at scientific conferences.
Success securing competitive research grant funding.
Undergraduate-level teaching experience.
Postdoctoral experience.
Specialized scholarly research in specialty crop weed science.
Field research experience in specialty crop production systems.
Experience with conventional and novel weed management systems, including organic production systems.
Experience serving as principal investigator on competitive grants supporting research or Extension outreach.
Experience mentoring undergraduate researchers and serving as major professor for M.S. or Ph.D. students.
Experience in crop protection, agricultural technology, or related agricultural industry sectors.
Experience conducting collaborative research trials on commercial farms.
Experience as instructor of record for an undergraduate weed science course.

Responsibilities

Establish an innovative, externally funded research program addressing weed detection, management, and control in specialty crops.
Conduct applied field research that provides practical solutions for commercial specialty crop producers in Alabama.
As appropriate to expertise and program direction, integrate chemical and nonchemical weed management approaches with emerging technologies, including sensors, unmanned aerial vehicles, rovers, autonomous scouting, and precision application.
Collaborate with university and departmental scientists, Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station personnel, Alabama Cooperative Extension System specialists and regional agents, industry partners, commodity groups, and producers.
Publish research in peer-reviewed journals and present findings to scientific and industry audiences.
Provide research-based information to support Extension education and producer decision-making.
Develop and teach a four-credit undergraduate/graduate course in Weed Management in Specialty Cropping Systems and an additional graduate course.
Mentor undergraduate researchers and graduate students.
Participate in departmental, college, university, and professional service.