Professor Open Rank - Small Grain Breeding

Professor Open Rank - Small Grain Breeding

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Department of Crop Sciences

Open-Rank (Assistant/Associate/Full Professor)

Plant Breeding (Small Grains)WE TRANSFORM LIVES. Everything we do is designed to improve the quality of life of the people in the state of Illinois, across the nation,and around the world. We discover, develop, translate, and disseminateknowledge to address societal concerns and train the next generation of expertsand leaders in a way that empowers them to expand the boundaries of science tohigher levels of understanding and influence.
We seek an outstanding scientist to advance food security through the genetic improvement of small grain crops. This position will lead aprogram with national visibility and international relevance, focused oncultivar and germplasm development in wheat and possibly other small grains,including oats. Potential breeding targets include improved yield, adaptation,disease resistance, abiotic stress tolerance, end-use quality, nutrition, and sustainability. The successful candidate will have a strong record of originalresearch in plant breeding and related disciplines, including quantitativegenetics, genomics, plant pathology, biochemistry, and plant biotechnology.

Preference will be given to candidates who use innovative, interdisciplinary approaches tobreed improved crop varieties. The selected candidate will also possessdemonstrated interest and experience in student education and training and willteach courses in plant breeding or other topics important to Crop Sciences undergraduateand graduate degree programs.

The Department of Crop Sciences and College of, Agricultural, Consumer,and Environmental Sciences offers world-class laboratory, greenhouse, and field research facilities. This position builds upon novel germplasm developed by our vibrant breeding program for soft red winter wheats and oats grown throughout the central United States and offers excellent resources to support further geneticimprovements. The successful candidate will be eligible to be considered forthe Siemer Professorship of Wheat Breeding, an endowed faculty position with salary and programmatic support.

The successful candidate will also join a collaborativeecosystem of life and data sciences research at the University of Illinois.

Salary & Appointment Details

This is on a 9/12-month basis, 100% time academic, tenure-track position with opportunity for summer appointment. The salary range for this position is $93,000-$160,000. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience and includes a comprehensive benefits package. The position is available as soon as possible after the closing date. Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Please create your candidate profile at (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). and upload a cover letter, statements of research, teaching, and outreach goals, a curriculum vitae, and contact information for 3 professional references. Letters of recommendation and transcripts may be requested at a later date. The closing date is August 17, 2026 or when a suitable candidate is identified. Interviews may be conducted prior to the closing date, but all applications received by the close date will receive full consideration.

For further information regarding the application process, you may contact Mr. Broderick Williamson, brodsr . For additional information, you may also contact:
Dr. Tiffany Jamann, Search Committee Chair, Department of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1102 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, Illinois 61801. Telephone: , e-mail: tjamann .

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on August 17, 2026
. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Applications not submitted through  will not be considered. For questions regarding the application process, please contact .

All requested information must be submitted for your application to be considered. Individuals with diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

The University of Illinois conducts criminal background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer.

Founded in 1867 as Illinois’s flagship public university, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign empowers a global community of students, scholars, and alumni to change the world through bold, innovative research and transformative education. With a land-grant heritage rooted in progress, Illinois faculty drive paradigm-shifting discoveries, mentor future leaders, and collaborate across 15 colleges and instructional units and more than 20 research institutes.

The university’s legacy of excellence includes 24 Nobel Prizes and 29 Pulitzer Prizes awarded to its faculty and alumni, $755 million in sponsored research funding, and 94 academic programs ranked in the top 20 nationally. Illinois offers the resources,…