College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources: Plant Sciences

Extension Assistant Professor of Weed Science (080055)

Position Description:
This is a Professional-track (non-tenure) Commercial Agriculture Extension position in the Division of Plant Sciences, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, University of Missouri.

Location:
This position is located at the Delta Research Center (DRC) near Portageville in Southeast Missouri. Five other faculty members in the Division of Plant Sciences are located at the DRC and they are responsible for the research and extension needs of Southeast Missouri agricultural producers. DRC facilities include over 1,000 acres of land for field research, laboratories, greenhouses, cotton gin, auditorium, offices, library, a state of the art soil test laboratory and teleconferencing center.

Responsibilities:
To develop and promote a program in applied weed control extension and outreach with an emphasis on cotton, rice, soybean, corn and other important field crops produced in the Missouri Delta region.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Develop a nationally recognized extension program for economically important weed species in one or more major agricultural crops produced in SE Missouri.
• Develop and promote effective weed control management programs based on producer needs and sound IPM principles. Extension clientele include large commercial farmers, agricultural consultants, and industry representatives.
• Disseminate applied information by publishing in extension and research journals and delivering presentations at scientific conferences; transfer information to the producers and industry by delivering oral and written results as appropriate in newsletters, farm magazines, and internet websites.
• Advise or co-advise graduate students.
• Cooperate with extension and research colleagues at the Delta Research Center, at the Columbia campus, and in University of Missouri Extension.
• Participate, as appropriate, in committees and other activities of the Division of Plant Sciences.

The appointee will serve as a member of the interdisciplinary Commercial Agriculture Crops Focus Team that includes faculty in plant science, soil science, biological engineering, and agricultural economics. The Commercial Agriculture Program develops and implements educational programs that assist Missouri crop producers and related agri-business to increase production efficiencies, reduce impact on air and water quality, improve their competitive positions, and increase profitability. This extension position also effectively integrates the weed control discipline at the Delta Research Center and within the Division of Plant Sciences with other disciplines such as entomology, plant pathology, nutrient management, and crop production. The appointee will report to the Director of the Division of Plant Sciences and will be evaluated jointly by the Division Director and the Director of The University of Missouri Extension Commercial Agriculture Program.

Qualifications: The appointee must have a Ph.D. in agronomy or related discipline with an emphasis in weed science and with training and/or experience in applied research and be familiar with the region’s cropping systems. Postdoctoral training and experience are highly desirable.

Salary and Benefits:
Salary will be commensurate with training and experience. Benefits available include group health, life, dental, disability insurance and a retirement plan.

Date Available:
Applications will be accepted through June 1, 2008 or until a qualified candidate is identified.

Application Procedure:
Candidates should send, as a Word or PDF file and a hard copy, a curriculum vitae, transcripts, reprints, and statement of career goals and arrange for three letters of reference to be sent to:

Extension Weed Scientist Search Committee
c/o Margie Anglen, Division of Plant Sciences
1-41 Agriculture Building
University of Missouri
Columbia, MO 65211
Email: anglenm@missouri.edu

Questions regarding the position should be directed to Dr. Gene Stevens, 573-379-5431, stevensw@missouri.edu; or Dr. Kevin Bradley, 573-882-4039, bradleyke@missouri.edu.

MU’s college of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources strongly endorses the principles embodied in MU's values statement - respect, responsibility, discover, excellence. In that context we seek to recruit and retain outstanding scholars who are: 1) committed to blending service with scholarship, 2) Leaders, 3) Good colleagues who will collaborate with others from diverse disciplines and backgrounds and, 4) flexible and adaptable in an era of rapid change.

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity – Affirmative Action Employer. To request ADA accommodations please contact our ADA Coordinator.

Date Posted:
March 11, 2008