Assistant Professor of Plant Pathology​/Row Crops and Pecans

Assistant Professor of Plant Pathology/Row Crops and Pecans

Fort Valley State University (FVSU), a state and land-grant institution of the University System of Georgia, invites applications for the position of Assistant Professor of Plant Pathology/Row Crops and Pecans.

Fort Valley State University, the only 1890 land-grant university in Georgia, is a comprehensive institution that provides an education to over 2,800 students including graduate students. The university is located in the town of Fort Valley in Peach County, the original site of the state's peach industry. Its 1,365-acre campus is Georgia's second-largest public university in area.

Fort Valley State University is an equal opportunity employer. The University does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or University System of Georgia policy.

Job Summary:

The College of Agriculture, Family Sciences and Technology (CAFST) seeks an energetic and student-focused faculty member with expertise in Plant Pathology for a 12-month research appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor. This is a hybrid position with appointment in Departments of Agricultural Research (75%) and Agricultural Sciences (25% instruction).

The incumbent will be responsible for teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in Plant Science and Plant Pathology as determined by departmental needs. The faculty members will also play a key role in collaboratively reimagining existing plant science courses with faculty in both content and scope to ensure alignment with external stakeholders. Specific teaching assignments will be assigned by the Department Chair.

The selected candidate will advise and mentor undergraduate and graduate students, support relevant student organizations and assist with the recruitment of students interested in plant sciences/plant pathology and related fields.

The successful candidate will be expected to develop a robust field-based research program which addresses diseases in economically important row crops, peaches, and pecans in Georgia. The faculty member is expected to establish relationships with stakeholders in Middle Georgia and develop an extramurally funded research program to address their needs, with a focus on developing strategies for reducing crop losses to disease.

The research program must have a primary emphasis on agronomic field research evaluating management strategies that can readily implemented by producers, with a focus on major crops grown in Middle Georgia including cotton, peanut, blueberries, pecans and others. Responsibilities will include securing extramural funding to conduct field research that addresses economically important disease problems in the region; hiring and supervision of staff to initiate and complete studies;

leading field research and associated data collection and analysis; disseminating results to farmers, crop advisors, agronomists and other stakeholders in the FVSU Cooperative Extension Service. Collaborate with colleagues and agents in the Cooperative Extension at FVSU.

Exposure to pesticides and chemicals is possible with this position. Candidates must obtain pesticide certification and wear prescribed PPE.

As part of CAFST's commitment to developing and strengthening the plant science programs, the successful candidate will have access to start-up funds contingent upon submission of a competitive research plan.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

• Develop and deliver high quality instruction in undergraduate and graduate courses in Plant Science utilizing modern instructional approaches.
• Design, prepare, and supervise student laboratory and experiential learning activities.
• Utilize internal learning platforms (e. g. Desire2
  
  Learn (D2L) and other instructional technologies to deliver course materials and engage students.
• Develop course objectives, assignments, and effective methods for assessing student learning outcomes.
• Provide timely and constructive feedback on student work.
• En…