The College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resources Sciences (CAHNRS) through the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences (CSS) seeks a leader in soil and rhizosphere ecology to serve as a core member of our tree fruit research and extension team, contributing to an expanding college focus on soil-plant interactions.

The Endowed Chair is expected to address significant challenges to fruit production whose solutions can be derived from an improved understanding of soil and rhizosphere ecology, supported by extramural funding, on the ecology of soil-root interactions leading to improved orchard productivity, profitability and sustainability. Teaching responsibilities will include the mentoring and supervision of graduate students. The Endowed chair will be based at the Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center in Prosser.

Information about WSU CAHNRS can be found at http://cahnrs.wsu.edu, CSS at http://css.wsu.edu, and IAREC at http://iarec.wsu.edu.

Required

Ph.D. in soil science, ecology, horticulture, forestry or closely related field at time of application. Qualified for appointment at associate or full professor rank in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences. Demonstrated record of scholarly accomplishments in soil and rhizosphere ecology.

Preferred

Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with technical and nontechnical audiences in oral, written, and electronic forms. Demonstrated leadership in developing and executing an intensive interdisciplinary research program in soil and rhizosphere ecology. Demonstrated excellence in collaborative research, graduate student mentoring, and interdisciplinary team building. Demonstrated record of acquiring extramural competitive grant support. Knowledge of state-of-the-art techniques applicable to tree fruit soil and rhizosphere ecology research. Demonstrated knowledge and ability to work effectively with individuals and groups of diverse cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.

Please apply online via https://www.wsujobs.com
(Position #121694)
with a cover letter, current curriculum vitae, copies of official graduate transcripts, and the names and contact information for three people willing to serve as references. The cover letter should address, in distinct sections, all of the required and preferred qualifications for the position (including your areas of expertise) and research interests.

Application screening will begin on September 1, 2015, and continue until a suitable candidate is identified.

For questions about the position, contact:
Dr. David Brown at dave.brown@wsu.edu or 509-335-1859.