The College of Agricultural Sciences is seeking a Researcher/Assistant Research Professor to establish a strong, externally funded research and teaching program in the area of turfgrass pest management and hemp production.
The successful candidate for this non-tenure track faculty position will strengthen Pennsylvania’s turfgrass and hemp industries by conducting applied research and pest diagnostic support in turfgrass pest management, training the next generation of Pennsylvania’s hemp industry through residential, online, and continuing education, and developing and delivering outreach programming that serves the Commonwealth’s current and future industry needs.
The successful candidate will serve as the laboratory manager for the Turfgrass Pest Management Lab in the Department of Plant Science. Responsibilities include training and supervision of graduate students and part-time employees in laboratory and field experiments in the area of turfgrass pest management (i.e., diseases, weeds and insects).
The position will assist in the development and management of the Turfgrass Pest Diagnostic Lab for commercial turfgrass managers. The applicant is expected to develop a self-paced short course in hemp production and management to be delivered online through Penn State extension and teach a comparable 3-credit general-education course for resident undergraduate students to be offered twice per year, with the potential of expanding the class online through World Campus.
This is a fixed term 3-year appointment with an excellent chance for renewal. Applicants should hold a minimum of an earned M.S. (Researcher) or Ph.D. (Assistant Research Professor) degree in Plant Pathology, Turfgrass Science, Horticulture, Crop Science, or a relevant field of specialization.
Experience in horticultural systems management, pest identification and control, and evidence of impactful teaching and outreach activities is required. The applicant should possess a strong willingness to work as part of a multidisciplinary team that bridges plant science, horticulture, pest management, crop production, and ideally provides examples of such successful interdisciplinary collaborations.
Communication, creative leadership, congeniality, and the ability to work cooperatively among a diverse population of students, faculty, staff, industry and agency groups is essential in our department and university.