Endowed Chair in Small Grains Extension and Research Weed Scientist

THE OPPORTUNITY:

The Department of Crop and Soil Sciences (CSS) within the College of Agricultural Human and Natural Resources Sciences (CAHNRS) at Washington State University (WSU) is seeking a motivated and problem-solving extension specialist and researcher to join a team of scientists and extension experts in multiple disciplines including plant pathology plant science soil science entomology and plant breeding. The Endowed Chair in Small Grains Extension and Research was created by the Washington Grain Commission to support extension weed science to enhance the productivity of Washington growers. This position is supported by a $1.6 million endowment from the Washington Grain Commission allowing faculty to gather data in support of the increasing impact of weeds in regional cropping systems and extend that research to growers in support of enhanced weed control. This tenure-track associate professor or professor rank faculty position is a nine-month academic year appointment plus two months of summer salary while serving in the endowed chair position. We are looking to fill an integrated extension and research position to begin August 1 2026 or as negotiated at the WSU Pullman campus. The successful applicant will develop a nationally recognized and regionally relevant program focused on Integrated Weed Management in Small Grains cropping systems to enhance crop productivity while increasing profits and improving environmental quality.

The Associate Professor/Professor and Endowed Chair in Small Grains Extension and Research Weed Science should emphasize the development of sustainable and effective weed management strategies through applied and fundamental research and extension for small grains of significance in the Pacific Northwest. The incumbent will develop an extension-research program to support the growers of small grain crops. Through collaborative efforts with USDA-ARS researchers WSU faculty and other university scientists the incumbent will lead the statewide extension dryland cropping systems team comprised of department and county-based extension faculty. The incumbent is charged with developing delivering and evaluating outreach programs in the area of weed science. Modes of delivering Extension information may include oral presentations podcasts written documentation (e.g. bulletins on weed control or weed biology) web sites social media and other modern and/or novel techniques. Assessment of outcomes and impacts of extension programs is required. The incumbent will report to the Chair of the Department of Crop and Soil addition to pursuing an outstanding extension and research program the successful candidate will be expected to advise graduate students.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position integratesextension andresearchwiththe successful candidateexpected todevelop a nationally recognizedextensionprograminIntegrated Weed Management (IWM)focused onsmall grainscropping systems in Washington.The incumbent willlead theExtensionDrylandCropping Systemsteamcomprisedofdepartmental and county-based extension faculty.Theextension andresearch program will emphasizesustainable integrated weed managementstrategiesincorporating bothchemical and non-chemical controlmethodsto address the weed challenges insmall graincrops.Programsmust beresponsive tostakeholder needs andalignwith the missionsof thedepartment andCAHNRS Office of Research.

The successful candidate mustacquirecompetitive extramural funding from state regional and national agencies and the agricultural industry to support a comprehensiveextension andresearchprogram. The incumbent willdisseminateinformation by publishing inappropriate peer-reviewedjournals andextension media delivering presentations at scientific conferences and grower meetings and using modern communication platforms. This person is expected to work collaboratively with other researchersextension professionals private crop consultants the grower community andotherstakeholders.Other duties include serving onCSSCAHNRSand WSU committees.

Preferred:

• Demonstrated knowledge of weed managementsystems;

• Demonstrated experience working in small grainssystems;

• Demonstrated record of training graduate students in the field of weedscience;

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with technical and nontechnical audiences in oral and written formsthrough refereed or non-refereed publicationscommensuratewith careerlevel;

• Record of competitive grant successandrefereed publicationscommensuratewith careerlevel;

• Demonstrated knowledge ofstate-of-the-arttechniques inweed sciencerelevant toapplied researchintegrated managementsystemsand sustainableagriculture;

• Demonstrated ability tousethe web todisseminateextension and researchinformation;

• Demonstrated commitment to advancing the goals of diversity equity and inclusion.

Position Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for work visa sponsorship

APPLICATION PROCESS:

The deadlineforsubmittingapplicationsis March16th2026 after which applications will be reviewed by the search committee. To apply visit must include the following materials:

1)a cover letter

2) a current curriculum vitae

3)teaching statement (one page limit) and

4) research and extension statement (twopage limit).

For questions about the position contact Dr.Arron Carter Search Committee Chair ator 509-335-6198.