Assistant Professor of Vegetable Crops

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Job Description:

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:

The Department of Horticulture at Iowa State University seeks a Vegetable Crop Specialist with 40% Extension, 40% research, 15% teaching, and 5% service appointment. The successful candidate will lead an integrated research, extension, and teaching program focused on sustainable vegetable production systems pertinent to grower needs in Iowa and the Midwest.

The successful candidate is expected to develop a competitive, extramurally funded research program in improving sustainability, productivity, and profitability of vegetable production systems while minimizing environmental impacts. Research efforts are to be well integrated with extension programming and will include mentoring graduate students and generating peer reviewed publications. A strong emphasis on extramural funding and building collaborations with local growers, grower organizations, and other industry partners, and securing funding to support both the research and extension efforts are expected. The successful candidate's specialty area may include high tunnel systems, integrated pest management, irrigation, soil and nutrient management, technologies that optimize crop yields and quality, and/or the development of sustainable crop production practices using precision agriculture technologies (e.g., use of sensors, artificial intelligence, variable rate application methods, etc.).

This position will include teaching two undergraduate courses in vegetable production (one every fall and the other every even spring), and contribution to departmental/college/university and professional service.
 

Required Minimum Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Horticulture, Crop Science, Agronomy, Entomology, Plant Pathology, or a related field with an emphasis on vegetable crop production

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated expertise in field and/or high tunnel vegetable production systems

• Experience developing and delivering extension programs to diverse audiences, including growers, industry partners, stakeholders, and extension field specialists

• Demonstrated evidence of scholarly productivity in applied research, such as peer reviewed publications and grant writing

• Teaching experience at the undergraduate or graduate level

• Expertise in the use of precision agriculture tools to improve vegetable production efficiency and sustainability and/or ability to use data-driven approaches and emerging technologies (sensors, artificial intelligence) to address production challenges

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Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:

1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae
2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter

3) Statement of extension philosophy

4) Statement of research interests with plans for extramural funding
5) Contact Information for Three References

Application Deadline: Guaranteed consideration date for applications is March 31, 2026.

For questions regarding this vacancy, please contact:

Dr. Ajay Nair

Professor and Chair,

Department of Horticulture

Ames, IA 50011

nariajay@iastate.edu

Why Choose ISU?

Iowa State Faculty enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:
• Retirement benefits, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Generous leave plans
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellbeing program

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