Associate/Professor of Weed Science

New Mexico State University•Las Cruces, NM

8d•Onsite

About The Position

New Mexico State University’s Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) seeks a 12-month Associate Professor or Professor faculty member to be stationed at the Clovis Agricultural Science Center located in Clovis, New Mexico. The successful candidate will develop an innovative, applied research program in weed science, agronomy, or a closely related discipline as it relates to integrated pest management in the semi-arid west. The successful candidate will be expected to devote 90% of their effort towards research, and 10% towards teaching. Faculty members appointed as Research Coordinator will have a portion of their research effort reassigned to administrative responsibilities. The successful candidate will develop a creative, collaborative, extramurally funded research program. Research areas could include but are not limited to weed management within drought-tolerant cropping systems, agronomic practices, water utilization, dryland and irrigated systems, and rangeland invasive species management. The cropping systems in the eastern high plains of New Mexico include wheat, sorghum, canola, forages, and peanuts. Connections with the impacts of crop rotation, alternative crops, dairy management, soil-plant-water relations, precision irrigation methods, soil/water conservation, and interactions of nutrients and/or contaminants within a research program would be of interest. The position may include an opportunity to serve in a three-year renewable leadership appointment as Research Coordinator of the Clovis Agricultural Science Center. The appointment is made by the Director of AES for a three-year term and may be renewed indefinitely following periodic review. The appointment is administrative in nature and may be modified or discontinued at any time at the discretion of the Director of AES. The Research Coordinator serves as the primary point of coordination for research activities at the Science Center. This includes facilitating research conducted by resident faculty and visiting faculty (main campus or other locations). The Coordinator works closely with faculty, staff, and the farm manager to ensure that Center space is appropriately allocated and efficiently utilized. This includes planning for seasonal field availability, resolving scheduling conflicts, and helping to ensure that research projects can be successfully implemented. AES seeks an individual who can work collaboratively with faculty across departments and colleges. The candidate will be expected to foster collaborations and participate in activities and research teams that support the work of the Center of Excellence in Food and Sustainable Agriculture (CESFAS) as well as the Cooperative Extension Service (CES). The applicant will be expected to contribute to graduate education through recruitment, support, and mentorship of graduate students, serving on graduate committees, and engagement in disciplinary graduate programs. Teaching responsibilities may include online courses in their home department. The successful candidate is expected to develop and maintain a nationally recognized program of scholarly activity that contributes to the scientific understanding and practical application of weed science, agronomy, and integrated pest management in semi-arid ag systems. Research findings should be disseminated through publications (e.g., peer-reviewed journals, technical reports, etc.) and presentations at regional, national, and international scientific meetings. The candidate is expected to maintain a consistent record of scholarly productivity and to contribute to the visibility and reputation of NMSU through high-quality scientific outputs. The candidate will be expected to develop a sustainable, externally funded research program that addresses critical challenges facing agriculture and natural resource management in eastern New Mexico and the semi-west US. The candidate should actively pursue competitive grant opportunities from diverse sources and participate in collaborative, interdisciplinary research initiatives. The candidate should demonstrate the ability to develop partnerships that enhance the impact, scope, and long-term sustainability of their research program. The successful candidate is expected to engage stakeholders through effective communication and outreach activities that translate research findings into practical applications. The candidate should work collaboratively with AES scientists, CES personnel, agricultural producers, commodity organizations, industry, and natural resource managers to identify emerging research needs and communicate research outcomes. Outreach activities may include field days, workshops, producer meetings, extension publications, presentations, and engagement with agricultural and community organizations. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the mission of NMSU by developing research programs that address stakeholder priorities and improve agricultural sustainability, profitability, and resilience. The candidate is expected to participate in departmental, college, and university service activities commensurate with rank that support the mission of AES, the College of ACES, and NMSU. Service responsibilities may include participation on committees, professional societies, advisory groups, etc. In collaboration with the farm manager, the Research Coordinator is responsible for helping ensure the smooth and effective day-to-day operation of the Science Center. Together, they work to maintain a productive and engaged environment by encouraging regular faculty and staff presence at the Center, ensuring personnel are informed about research activities and outreach efforts, and promoting participation in Center-based initiatives. The Coordinator plays an important role in fostering a collaborative culture that supports both research excellence and effective outreach and plays a key role in strengthening relationships with external stakeholders (e.g., farmers, ranchers, commodity and industry groups). The Coordinator helps ensure that research at the Center is responsive to stakeholder needs by maintaining active communication and engagement. This requires the ability to effectively communicate with a broad and diverse audience. The Coordinator leads or facilitates outreach and engagement activities at the Center. These include organizing field days, demonstrations, workshops, and tours that highlight ongoing research and its applications. The Coordinator supports educational outreach efforts (e.g., hosting school groups, youth organizations) to promote awareness of the Center, AES, and ACES. The Coordinator provides leadership in strategic planning and development of research priorities at the Center. This includes identifying opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, facilitating partnerships among AES faculty, CES personnel, government agencies, commodity groups, and industry partners, and assisting with the development of initiatives that enhance the visibility and impact of the Center. The Coordinator may represent the Center at university, stakeholder, and professional meetings and provide recommendations to the Director of AES regarding facility needs, infrastructure investments, and long-term research priorities. The Coordinator is expected to foster an environment that supports scholarly excellence, successful grant development, and effective stakeholder engagement. The Coordinator works with resident and affiliated faculty to identify opportunities for collaborative grant proposals, shared use of facilities and equipment, and coordinated outreach activities that enhance the overall effectiveness of the Center. The Coordinator assists the Director of AES in communicating Center accomplishments, identifying emerging research opportunities, and supporting strategic planning efforts that advance the mission of the Center.

Requirements

Ph.D. in Weed Science, Agronomy, or a related plant science field.
Post-graduate experience in conducting field research.
A proven record of publishing results in peer-reviewed journals.
Strong background in weed science, agronomy, or a related field.
Strong communication skills.
A commitment to leadership.
Demonstrated ability to conduct both independent and collaborative research.
Ability to pursue competitive grant funding.
Meet the minimum qualifications for an NMSU graduate faculty appointment.

Nice To Haves

Complementary expertise that enhances existing departmental strengths.
Advanced ecological methods.
Digital agriculture.
Data science.
Artificial intelligence.
Modeling.
Remote sensing.
Precision agriculture technologies.
Innovative approaches for investigating weed ecology, invasive species dynamics, and crop management systems.
Distinguished record of scholarly achievement (for Professor rank).
Sustained success in securing extramural funding (for Professor rank).
National or international reputation in their discipline (for Professor rank).
Evidence of successful graduate student mentoring (for Professor rank).
Demonstrated leadership in collaborative research programs and professional service (for Professor rank).

Responsibilities

Develop an innovative, applied research program in weed science, agronomy, or a closely related discipline as it relates to integrated pest management in the semi-arid west.
Devote 90% of effort towards research, and 10% towards teaching.
Develop a creative, collaborative, extramurally funded research program.
Contribute to graduate education through recruitment, support, and mentorship of graduate students, serving on graduate committees, and engagement in disciplinary graduate programs.
Develop and maintain a nationally recognized program of scholarly activity that contributes to the scientific understanding and practical application of weed science, agronomy, and integrated pest management in semi-arid ag systems.
Disseminate research findings through publications and presentations.
Maintain a consistent record of scholarly productivity and contribute to the visibility and reputation of NMSU through high-quality scientific outputs.
Develop a sustainable, externally funded research program that addresses critical challenges facing agriculture and natural resource management in eastern New Mexico and the semi-arid western US.
Actively pursue competitive grant opportunities from diverse sources and participate in collaborative, interdisciplinary research initiatives.
Develop partnerships that enhance the impact, scope, and long-term sustainability of their research program.
Engage stakeholders through effective communication and outreach activities that translate research findings into practical applications.
Work collaboratively with AES scientists, CES personnel, agricultural producers, commodity organizations, industry, and natural resource managers to identify emerging research needs and communicate research outcomes.
Participate in departmental, college, and university service activities commensurate with rank that support the mission of AES, the College of ACES, and NMSU.
Serve as Research Coordinator (optional leadership role) for the Clovis Agricultural Science Center, coordinating research activities, facilitating research conducted by resident and visiting faculty, and ensuring efficient utilization of Center space.
Collaborate with the farm manager to ensure smooth and effective day-to-day operation of the Science Center.
Foster a collaborative culture that supports research excellence and effective outreach.
Strengthen relationships with external stakeholders.
Facilitate outreach and engagement activities at the Center, including organizing field days, demonstrations, workshops, and tours.
Support educational outreach efforts.
Provide leadership in strategic planning and development of research priorities at the Center.
Represent the Center at university, stakeholder, and professional meetings.
Foster an environment that supports scholarly excellence, successful grant development, and effective stakeholder engagement.
Identify opportunities for collaborative grant proposals, shared use of facilities and equipment, and coordinated outreach activities.
Assist the Director of AES in communicating Center accomplishments, identifying emerging research opportunities, and supporting strategic planning efforts.