Assistant/Associate Professor: Vegetable Breeding and Genetics - Oregon Staffing : Job Details

The Horticulture Department invites applications for a full-time (1.00 FTE), 9-month, tenure-track Assistant/Associate Professor position. The position provides leadership for the applied and fundamental research activities around breeding, genetics and genomics of vegetable crops with new cultivars anticipated as an end product of research. The position provides training for graduate students in plant breeding and graduate and undergraduate education in vegetable crop systematics. This faculty member will focus on vegetable breeding for production in conventional and organic systems for fresh market and processed vegetable growers, home gardeners and other stakeholders. It will emphasize development of regionally adapted cultivars that have resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, improved human nutrition, and that are climate resilient. Additional areas of research may be identified during needs assessments. This position will work closely with clientele, vegetable specialists, university colleagues and others to identify common needs and opportunities for collaboration in vegetable breeding and genetics. Active and effective communication with colleagues and key stakeholders is critical to the success of this position.

As a member of the College of Agricultural Sciences, this position contributes to the mission of the college, with principal responsibility for needs assessment, Extension program and educational material development, delivery, and evaluation, and for conducting applied research to support Extension activities. Oregon State University is committed to practicing and delivery of tools for state-of-the-science interaction and engagement of partners and stakeholders. This faculty member is required to use modern learning and outreach tools including online and hybrid classes, multimedia and digital communications, employ and practice engaged scholarship, promote integration of programs across disciplines that are demand-driven and use open-source tools that continually align with innovation and shifts in educational program delivery. These activities will be included in the annual plan of work, impact statements, and summary of accomplishments/achievements. College of Agricultural Sciences faculty are committed to enhancing student/learner success by engaging them in quality academic, research, internships, global studies, and other experiential learning opportunities. Positions with primary responsibility for Extension and Engagement are likewise committed to student/learner success through programming appropriate for diverse audiences. College of Agricultural Sciences (CAS) faculty are committed to enhancing student success by engaging students in quality academic instruction, research, internships, global studies, and other experiential learning opportunities. There is an expectation that, as part of your role in the college, you embody and advance the principles and practices conveyed in the CAS CARE Commitment document.

Why OSU?

Working for Oregon State University is so much more than a job! Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers, problem-solvers and change-makers. We don't wait for challenges to present themselves we seek them out and take them on. We welcome students, faculty and staff from every background and perspective into a community where everyone feels seen and heard. We have deep-rooted mindfulness for the natural world and all who depend on it, and together, we apply knowledge, tools and skills to build a better future for all.

FACTS:

• Top 1.4% university in the world
• More research funding than all public universities in Oregon combined
• 1 of 3 land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the U.S.
• 2 campuses, 11 colleges, 12 experiment stations, and Extension programs in all 36 counties
• 7 cultural resource centers that offer education, celebration and belonging for everyone
• 100+ undergraduate degree programs, 80+ graduate degrees plus hundreds of minor options and certificates
• 35k+ students including more than 2.3k international students and 10k students of color
• 217k+ alumni worldwide

Locations: Oregon State has a statewide presence with campuses in Corvallis and Bend, the OSU Portland Center and the Hatfield Marine Science Center on the Pacific Coast in Newport. Oregon State's beautiful, historic and state-of-the-art main campus is located in one of America's best college towns. Corvallis is located close to the Pacific Ocean, the Cascade mountains and Oregon wine country. Nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, this beautiful city offers miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, a river perfect for boating or kayaking and an eclectic downtown featuring local cuisine, popular events and performances.

Total Rewards Package: Oregon State University offers a comprehensive benefits package with benefits eligible positions that is designed to meet the needs of employees and their families including:

• Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life. OSU pays 95% of premiums for you and your eligible dependents.
• Free confidential mental health and emotional support services, and counseling resources.
• Retirement savings paid by the university.
• A generous paid leave package, including holidays, vacation and sick leave.
• Tuition reduction benefits for you or your qualifying dependents at OSU or the additional six Oregon Public Universities.
• Robust Work Life programs including Dual Career assistance resources, flexible work arrangements, a Family Resource Center, Affinity Groups and an Employee Assistance Program.
• Optional lifestyle benefits such as pet, accident, and critical illness insurance, giving you peace of mind and the support you need to thrive in all aspects of your life.

Key Responsibilities

• 50% Research: Provide leadership in research related to vegetable breeding, genetics and genomics research in relation to new knowledge and cultivars for Oregon's processing and fresh market vegetable industry supporting both conventional and organic growers. Seek and obtain outside funding from commodity commissions, competitive grants, gifts and endowments. Collaborate with other research and extension colleagues and agencies to address breeding and production needs in Oregon. Develop national and international collaborative projects as appropriate. Serve as an investigator on one or more USDA - NIFA Hatch collaborative or Hatch multistate projects.
• 15% Scholarship and Creative Activity: Discover new knowledge and develop creative solutions and applications for problems related to aspects of vegetable breeding and genetics. Research discoveries should be communicated to the scientific community, Extension audiences, and practitioners using innovative and contemporary tools in both oral and written venues, including web-based formats.
• 10% Outreach: Maintain/develop communication with various entities on program needs and opportunities with commodity organizations such as the Oregon Processed Vegetable Commission, fresh market growers, seed producers and Agriculture professionals in the Willamette Valley, and others as appropriate. Extend research results and information generated by the breeding program to clientele groups through presentations at grower meetings and articles in grower newsletters, and through small-group and personal interactions. Venues may include the Pacific Northwest Vegetable Association, Organic Seed Growers Meeting, Vegetable Education Group, Culinary Breeding Network Variety Showcase and others as appropriate.
• 20% Teaching: Teach Systematics and Adaptation of Vegetable Crops (HORT 433/533) and another undergraduate course in Horticulture in specialized areas of plant breeding or related topics in alternate years. Possibilities would include intellectual property of plants, crop plant domestication and breeding for organic production systems, but other subject areas in the Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics curricula would be appropriate. Contribute guest lectures to other courses as appropriate. Advise graduate students specializing in plant breeding and vegetable crops, and supervise vegetable breeding research assistants. Mentor and advise undergraduate students.
• 5% Service: Serve as an effective team member with the department and wider University community. Provide service to academic home, college, and university through committee service and leadership as appropriate and requested by administrators and peers. Serve on state, regional, and national advisory committees appropriate to position responsibilities and participate in professional organization activities. Contribute to a welcoming and respectful work place environment. Participate actively in the Departmental and College commodity- and discipline-specific working groups. Serve professional societies by reviewing manuscripts and other activities as appropriate.

What You Will Need

Minimum Qualifications for Assistant Professor and Associate Professor ranks:

• PhD in plant breeding and genetics, horticulture, agronomy or related field.
• Demonstrated teaching, written and oral communication skills including effective use of electronic (traditional and web-based) media.
• Demonstrated ability to write clearly and professionally for a variety of audiences.
• Demonstrated experience with and/or specialized knowledge of annual crop production.
• Commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity and demonstrated ability to incorporate multiple cultural perspectives in educational design and delivery.
• Demonstrated ability to lead a team/group, and be a team member, with other professionals and volunteers; as well as plan, organize, evaluate, manage, and delegate details associated with program and office management.
• Demonstrated capacity to share research-based information with stakeholders, colleagues, and peers in appropriate formats.
• General ability to use common computer software, including proficiency with information technology, web sites and social media.
• Previous teaching experience (e.g. as a teaching assistant or instructor)

Additional Minimum Qualifications for the rank of Associate Professor: