Assistant Professor in Turfgrass and Managed Grasslands Weed Science

The Department of Crop and Soil Sciences encompasses diverse disciplines in research, extension, and teaching. The department mission is to develop future leaders in crop, soil, and environmental sciences, improve crop plants and products, devise effective and sustainable crop production systems, devise effective and sustainable soil management techniques in both agriculture and urban settings; and disseminate crop, soil, and environmental science knowledge for the benefit of users and producers of food, feed, turfgrass, biofuels and fiber in North Carolina, the nation and the world.

This position is critical to departmental extension, research, and teaching missions. The primary focus for this position will be the development of weed management programs in turfgrass and managed grassland systems; weed biology and ecology of turfgrass and pasture weeds; ecological and physiological effects of plant growth regulators on turfgrasses; and invasive plants.

Extension: Responsibilities will include developing proactive outreach educational programs on turfgrass weed management to include (but not limited to) county agent and practitioner training, development and dissemination of educational materials, engaging technology in outreach educational programs, participation in interdisciplinary IPM educational programs, and resource development, and provide regional and national leadership in outreach to target audiences. Target sectors include commercial and residential lawn care, institutional grounds, sports turf (including golf and others), roadside turf, grasslands, biomass-energy grasses, and related.

Research: The incumbent in this position is expected to develop an innovative and extramurally funded research program that addresses the current and future needs of the turfgrass industries. The research should be closely aligned with the Extension mission, addressing practical weed management challenges, based on industry needs. The research should include the utilization of new technologies, biological traits related to weed establishment and management, and or other innovative alternatives to traditional weed control practices.

Teaching: Responsible for taking the lead and co-teaching CS 470/570 (Advanced Turfgrass Pest Management) and contributing subject matter lectures in appropriate academic classes. Advising and mentoring graduate students is required.

This position will also seek national and international research and extension collaborations. Turfgrass and forage grasses are international commodities and the NC State Turfgrass Weed Science position is expected to play a leading role in this field.

The successful candidate will join a community of fundamental and applied plant scientists across several departments at NC State. The Weed Science Program at NC State is dynamic. The incumbent in this position is expected to collaborate closely with other members of this program in research, outreach, and academic missions. The departments of Horticultural Science, Entomology and Plant Pathology, Plant and Microbial Biology, Biological and Agricultural Engineering as well as Agricultural and Resource Economics are traditional and/or potential collaborators. Collaborating Centers may include the Center for Integrated Pest Management and the Center for Turfgrass Environmental Research and Education. The Horticultural Science Extension Program Team, Landscape, and Turfgrass Systems Working Group is an interdepartmental team focused on outreach collaborations with county-based Extension staff. All research efforts should align with the goals and objectives of the NC State Crop & Soil Sciences Department. The incumbent will actively seek and garner external, competitive funding through research grants and contracts. The incumbent will publish research results in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

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