Assistant Professor of Agronomy Practice

Important Notifications:

Application Deadline: When applying, please keep in mind this posting will close at 11:59 pm the night before the posted "end date". Applications MUST be submitted prior to this deadline.

Current Employees: Do not apply via the OSU Career site. Instead, please login to your regular Workday account and visit the Jobs Hub to apply.

Department:

Hermiston Agricultural Research & Extension Center

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Special Instructions to Applicants:

When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic documents:

1) A resume/CV; and

2) A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position.

Starting salary will be commensurate with skills, education, and experience.

For additional information please contact:

Gordon Jones

[email protected]

541-447-6228

Job Summary:

The Hermiston Agricultural Research & Extension Center invites applications for a full-time (1.00 FTE), 12-month, fixed-term Assistant Professor (Practice) position. Reappointment is at the discretion of the Department Head.

This position is located at the Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center (HAREC)(https://agsci.oregonstate.edu/harec) in Hermiston, Oregon, with an academic home in the Department of Crop and Soil Science.

Appointment at the Assistant Professor rank is anticipated; however, appointment at a promoted rank may be considered depending upon the qualifications of the successful candidate.

The faculty member will lead an Extension and applied research program in field crop agronomy, with expertise in soil health, plant nutrition, and irrigation management, complementing the station's existing strengths in potato breeding and pest management. The program will focus on soil, nutrient, and irrigation management for the region's high-value crops, including potato, onions, mint, alfalfa, wheat, corn, and grass seed. The faculty member will also work with industry partners and regulatory agencies to develop environmentally sustainable and economically viable strategies for managing reused water and by-products from agricultural processing facilities. They are expected to collaborate with HAREC colleagues, regional Extension faculty, and OSU researchers statewide to address crop production challenges across the Columbia Basin, and to actively pursue external funding to support research and Extension programming.

Key Responsibilities:

• Extension teaching and related assignments
• Applied research
• Scholarly outcomes
• Service

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

• PhD in agronomy, soil science, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated excellence in extension teaching and other informal education delivery methods.
• Demonstrated knowledge in soil, nutrient and/or irrigation management.
• Demonstrated applied research skills in crop production, including skills to independently conduct and manage all field operations related to an active field research program
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate successfully with broad and diverse audiences.
• Possess or be able to obtain an Oregon Department of Agriculture Pesticide Consultant License within six months of employment and maintain it throughout employment.
• Evidence of a commitment to collaborative and respectful learning and working environments that are safe, inclusive, and welcoming.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate and cooperate effectively within a team.
• Demonstrated ability to serve constituents from different backgrounds and with different life experiences, particularly members of minoritized communities.

This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard: 05-010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.

This position requires driving a university vehicle or a personal vehicle on behalf of the university; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a motor vehicle history check, possess and maintain a current, valid driver's license in their state of residence, be determined to be position qualified and self-report convictions as per University Policy 05-030.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Multiple years of experience in potato production systems or other irrigated cropping systems with relevance to the Columbia Basin.

• Demonstrated experience with and understanding of center-pivot irrigation systems.

• Demonstrated applied research experience on nutrient management to reduce nitrate leaching and groundwater contamination.

• Proficiency in modern agricultural technology methodologies and applications, such as artificial intelligence applications in agricultural production.

• Demonstrated experience working with grower groups and regulatory agencies in developing policy.

• Demonstrated experience in understanding program advisory committees.

• Demonstrated ability to obtain extramural funding for program research, operations, development, and enhancement.

• Demonstrated ability to lead groups and to plan, organize, evaluate, manage, and delegate details associated with program management.

• Demonstrated ability to contribute to scholarly activity evidenced by publications in refereed journals, books, and/or electronic media.

• Ability to learn and adapt to using multiple forms of digital communications tools and systems, including websites, email newsletters, social media, and other tools in a changing technological environment.

• Ability to incorporate multiple cultural perspectives in educational design and delivery.

• Record of/commitment to work with underrepresented/underserved students or other audiences.

• Life experience, education, or training that broadens capacity to equalize student success or impact underserved audiences.

Working Conditions/Schedule:

Work activities will take place outdoors and other settings, including inclement weather.

Flexibility to perform work in a variety of office and work settings. Evenings and weekends may be required based on events and other educational programming needs.

Ability to transport (lift/carry/push/pull) field and other educational equipment/materials is required.

Salary Range:

Salary is commensurate with skills, education and experience.

Anticipated Start Date:

2026-12-01

Anticipated End Date:

2027-06-30

When applying, please keep in mind this posting will close at 11:59 pm the night before the posted "end date". Applications MUST be submitted prior to this deadline.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability, protected veteran, and other protected status.

OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire.

OSU is a fair chance employer committed to inclusive hiring. We encourage applications from candidates who bring a wide range of lived experience including involvement with the justice system. If this position has “critical or security-sensitive” responsibilities and/or driving duties and you are selected as a finalist, your initial job offer will be contingent upon the results of a job-related pre-employment check (such as a background check, motor vehicle history check, sexual misconduct reference check, etc.). Background check results do not automatically disqualify a candidate. Take a look at our Background Checks website including the for candidates section for more details. If you have questions or concerns about the pre-employment check, please contact OSU’s Employee and Labor Relations team at [email protected].