Brief Job Description:

Interested in learning about improving vineyard sustainability through smart pest management? Want to work on real-life solutions that growers can use to reduce pesticide drift? Do you like coupling research findings with teaching? Then we have the project for you!

The Washington State University Viticulture and Enology Program currently has an opening for a funded, PhD Graduate Extension Assistantship, starting in Spring 2016 in the Moyer Laboratory. The associated student will improve their understanding of the technology involved in vineyard pest management, how to reduce pesticide drift, how particular pest management products work under different vineyard environmental conditions, and the methods behind Extension programming and delivery. The student will couple an understanding of overall vineyard management (particularly trellis design and canopy management) with pest management program development and application. This is a dual research-extension based project, based out of the WSU-Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center located in Prosser, WA, the heart of Washington wine country.

This project will involve field work, public speaking, and extension publication writing. The student should be able to spend several hours working outside, lift 50 lbs, have a strong understanding of word and number processing software, and be fluent in English. Fluency or an understanding of Spanish is also highly desirable.

Students with completed Master’s degrees are preferred; however, highly qualified students with Bachelor’s degrees will be considered.

Please apply directly to the Department of Horticulture through the WSU Graduate School (http://horticulture.wsu.edu/graduate-programs/entrance-requirements/)

In your application, indicate your interest in this position. In your graduate school application cover letter, please address your interest in pest management, viticulture, and Extension education.

Closing Date:
December 1, 2015