Tobacco Extension Agronomist

Tobacco Extension Agronomist

The Department of Crop and Soil Sciences at NC State University invites applications for an Assistant Professor and Crop Production Management Specialist. Supported through the Collins Endowment Distinguished Fellowship, this position will provide statewide leadership in applied tobacco agronomy through an integrated program of Extension, research, and teaching focused on improving the sustainability, productivity, and profitability of North Carolina's flue-cured and burley tobacco industries.

In this role, you will work alongside growers, industry partners, county Extension agents, researchers, and agricultural professionals to address real-world crop production challenges and translate research into practical solutions. You will help shape tobacco production recommendations, support producers through emerging challenges, and strengthen the connection between university research and on-farm practices. This position provides an opportunity to build upon NC State's longstanding leadership in tobacco agronomy while advancing innovation in crop management, sustainability, and production efficiency.

Key Responsibilities fall within three key areas outlined below:

• Extension:
  Provide statewide Extension leadership and technical support to tobacco growers, county Extension agents, crop consultants, NCDA&CS regional agronomists, agribusiness partners, and other industry stakeholders.
• Develop and deliver educational programs through grower meetings, field days, county agent trainings, farm visits, and stakeholder workshops.
• Translate research findings into practical recommendations that address production challenges and support informed decision-making.
• Maintain and update the NC Flue-Cured Tobacco Production Guide to ensure producers and agricultural professionals have access to current production recommendations and best management practices.
• Build and strengthen partnerships with state, regional, and national tobacco organizations to advance the tobacco production industry.

• Research:
  Develop an applied research program focused on improving flue-cured and burley tobacco production systems.
• Evaluate new products, technologies, and production practices, including precision agriculture approaches, to improve crop productivity, sustainability, and profitability.
• Investigate management strategies related to climate variability, pest management, herbicide-resistant weeds, and other emerging production challenges.
• Conduct on-farm research and demonstrations to evaluate practical solutions under producer conditions.
• Collaborate with the Director of the Official Variety Testing Program to evaluate tobacco cultivars across multiple environments.
• Partner with NC State faculty and external collaborators on research related to pesticide residue expectations and the evaluation of new agricultural chemicals for tobacco production.

• Teaching:
  Co-teach the undergraduate course CS 116/216 – Agronomic Crops – Cotton, Peanuts, and Tobacco during the fall semester.
• Provide approximately five weeks of instruction during the fall and spring semesters and two weeks every other summer.

If you are passionate about applying agricultural research to real-world challenges, building strong relationships with industry and community partners, and preparing the next generation of agricultural professionals, we encourage you to apply.

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience
- Ph.D. Degree in Weed Science, Agronomy, or a closely related field. Experience in agronomic aspects of flue-cured tobacco production preferred. Candidate should have excellent written and oral communication skills.

Other

Required Qualifications
- Demonstrated knowledge of row crop agronomy principles, including soil science, crop production systems, crop management practices, and sustainable agricultural approaches. Ability to develop and execute applied agronomic research that addresses real-world production challenges. Proficiency in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting field-based data to inform research findings and practical agronomic recommendations. Experience with statistical analysis methods and software used to evaluate agricultural research data.

Ability to communicate complex scientific information effectively through research publications, Extension resources, technical reports, presentations, and stakeholder engagement.

Preferred Qualifications
- Experience applying tobacco agronomy principles, conducting field-based research, and/or incorporating emerging technologies to address agricultural production challenges. Ability to develop and deliver Extension programs that translate research into practical solutions for growers, consultants, and industry professionals. Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with growers, Extension agents, researchers, and agricultural stakeholders. Record of research, teaching, Extension, and service activities consistent with appointment at the Assistant Professor level.

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