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Assistant Professor of Cooperative Extension – Plant Pathology

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Position overview

Salary range: “Off-scale salaries” and other components of pay, i.e., a salary that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions, qualifications, and experience. A reasonable estimated salary range for this position is $98,200-$123,000, inclusive of the salary scale and off-scale salary components.

Position description

This is a 100% Cooperative Extension (CE) Specialist appointment in the Department of Plant Pathology. The successful candidate will be expected to develop an externally funded, applied research program in diseases of nursery and greenhouse plants including native plants for ecological restoration, ornamentals, vegetable transplants, and hemp/cannabis, provide in-service diagnostics support, and to develop an extension education and outreach program that extends information to diverse clientele groups (e.g., growers, farm advisors, commodity groups, Pest Control Advisers (PCAs), state agencies). This individual will be expected to work closely with academic and extension colleagues, including academic senate faculty, government scientists, and other cooperative extension academics, working in related fields. The incumbent would provide support to the plant pathology (and related) graduate program through the mentorship of graduate students on thesis/dissertation research.

As a member of the UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR), Professors of Cooperative Extension (CE) provide statewide leadership to university colleagues, public agencies, community-based organizations, youth, consumers, and citizens in their area of expertise. A Professor of CE is expected to keep campus and county-based University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) academics and clientele apprised of emerging issues and research findings and directions, conduct applied research and develop applications of research-based knowledge to specific problems, and provide educational leadership and technical information support for county-based CE academics and clientele. A Professor of CE is a primary liaison between University research units and statewide clientele. The Professor of CE will be expected to provide leadership and participation in ANR Program Teams, workgroups, and Strategic Initiatives, work closely with CE academics toward the resolution of issues of regional and statewide importance, and coordinate statewide programming with UCCE and AES colleagues throughout California. The Professor of CE also identifies and considers the needs of all relevant major clientele groups in planning, developing and executing applied research and education programs. The Professor of CE is evaluated for merit and promotion based on four areas of expectation that include Extension Education, Applied Research, Professional Competence and Activity, and University and Public Service.

I. General disciplinary focus: diseases of nursery and greenhouse plants, including native plants for ecological restoration, ornamentals, vegetable transplants, and hemp/cannabis, will be the focus of this position. Accordingly, applicants should have the professional background necessary to conduct original applied research on plant disease.

II. Educational and professional background requirements: A minimum requirement is a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology or related field. The successful candidate must have a record that documents productivity in research as evidenced by publications in peer-reviewed journals.

III. Supporting units: The duty station for this position will be at the UC Davis Campus and will be supported by the Department of Plant Pathology. Specialists serve as an integral member of the faculty who are provided with appropriate office space and access to staff who will assist with tasks such as grant administration and personnel matters.

Expected Contributions:
By developing reciprocal and mutually beneficial relationships with colleagues and with various stakeholders, the Specialist is expected to create public value by developing a program with four elements:

Extension Education (45%): Key extension activities include but are not limited to the following:
• Provide statewide and national leadership in matters concerning diseases of nursery and greenhouse plants including native plants for ecological restoration, ornamentals, vegetable transplants, and hemp/cannabis.
• Plan, organize, and participate in programs designed to educate CE academics and other stakeholders including state agencies, private industry personnel, and the nonagricultural community about management of diseases of nursery and greenhouse plants including native plants for ecological restoration, ornamentals, vegetable transplants, and hemp/cannabis.
• Develop extension programs including print and electronic materials that address management of diseases of nursery and greenhouse plants including native plants for ecological restoration, ornamentals, vegetable transplants, and hemp/cannabis.
• Provide campus and county-based CE academics, with up-to-date and extendible information on diagnosis and management of diseases of nursery and greenhouse plants including native plants for ecological restoration, ornamentals, vegetable transplants, and hemp/cannabis.
• Conduct educational programs for CE colleagues and others that focus on diagnosis and management of diseases of nursery and greenhouse plants including native plants for ecological restoration, ornamentals, vegetable transplants, and hemp/cannabis.
• Provide pathogen diagnostic and detection support directly to CE and other agricultural support networks

Mission-oriented Research (40%)
● Potential research areas are diagnostics; fungal, viral, or bacterial pathogen biology; population genetics/genomics, pathogen diversity and diagnostics/detection tool development; reduction of fungicide use through forecasting based on disease epidemiology; detection and management of fungicide resistant and crop resistance-breaking pathogens; use of biological controls and cultural practices for disease reduction; crop genetics, and cultural practices for disease reduction and clean plant production; and development of integrated pest management programs or any other innovative disease management techniques that contribute to the sustainability of nursery and greenhouse plants including native plants for ecological restoration, ornamentals, vegetable transplants, and hemp/cannabis.
● The candidate will collaborate with academic senate faculty, campus and UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) academics, state and federal agencies, private industries, and stakeholders on emerging issues in diseases of nursery and greenhouse plants including native plants for ecological restoration, ornamentals, vegetable transplants, and hemp/cannabis, and develop and conduct research and extension initiatives to address diagnosis and management of chronic and emerging diseases.
● We expect the successful candidate to publish their research findings in peer-reviewed journals such as Plant Disease and Phytopathology, and in various other electronic and print venues such as California Agriculture or UC/ANR publications.

Professional Competence and Activity (10%)
The appointee will be expected to participate in professional society activities including presenting papers at national and international meetings; reviewing manuscripts and grant proposals in their area of expertise; and establishing productive working relationships with scientists and extension personnel statewide, and in other states and countries. The goal would be to gain national and international recognition for scholarly contributions to the science and practices of plant pathology, as they advance to the higher ranks in the UC system. We expect that the incumbent would provide support to the plant pathology (and related) graduate program through the mentorship of graduate students on thesis/dissertation research.

University and Public Service (5%): The appointee will serve on committees that support the needs of the Department, University and ANR, including appropriate ANR Program Teams and Workgroups. The appointee may also serve on advisory councils and boards appropriate to the candidate’s area of expertise. The candidate should ultimately be recognized as a knowledgeable partner who can provide reliable information and build research-informed networks to address public issues in the state of California.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

A Ph.D. in Plant Pathology or other closely related discipline is required (degree must be awarded by start of position).

Preferred qualifications (other preferred, but not required, qualifications for the position)

-The successful candidate must have a record that documents productivity in research, as evidenced by publications in peer-reviewed journals.
-Additionally, knowledge, experience, interest and/or academic coursework related to horticulture is highly desired.
-Postdoctoral experience is desirable but is not required.
-Evidence of research excellence in the discipline of applied plant pathology, and demonstrated potential for developing an independent applied research program in diseases of nursery and greenhouse crops.
-Evidence of leadership, team-building, and organizational skills to plan and conduct independent and collaborative research projects, and to develop a successful extension education and outreach program with public agencies, members of industry, non-government organizations, and CE academics, among others.
-Commitment to ANR and the mission of the land-grant system and evidence of a “vision” for development of a research and outreach program in diseases of vine and fruit crops.
-Demonstrated oral and written communication skills, including the ability to present information clearly to non-scientific and public audiences.
-Interest, understanding, and commitment to contributing to diversity. Demonstrated ability to contribute to diversity and inclusion of groups that are underrepresented in the academy through extension education, research, and/or service would be a plus. Statements of Contributions to Diversity will be assessed by their general quality and the candidates’ awareness of, contributions toward, and plans for future efforts related to diversity and inclusion.
-Evidence of collegiality and professional service consistent with departmental and professional citizenship.
-Evidence of an interest in and aptitude for, training/supervising researchers and mentoring graduate students.

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V., including a list of publications.

  • Cover Letter

  • Statement of Research and extension interests and goals

  • Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion documented in the application file will be used to evaluate applicants. Visit https://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/faculty-equity-and-inclusion for guidelines about writing a statement and why one is requested.

  • Summary or abstract of the Ph.D. dissertation

  • Copies or links to recent relevant publications

Reference requirements
  • 3-5 required (contact information only)
Apply link: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF05013

Help contact: syoranchak@ucdavis.edu

About UC Davis

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus (http://breathefree.ucdavis.edu/).

We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals’ with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct

Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UC Davis positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. More information is available at: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is committed to inclusive excellence by advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in all that we do. UC Davis celebrates the multi-cultural diversity of its community by creating a welcoming and inclusive environment demonstrated through a variety of resources and programs available to academics, staff, and students. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are core values of UC Davis that are embedded within our Principles of Community and are tied with how to best serve our student population. Our excellence in research, teaching, and service can best be fully realized by members of our academic community who share our commitment to these values, which are included in our Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Vision, our strategic plan: “To Boldly Go,” our Principles of Community, the Office of Academic Affairs’ Mission Statement, and the UC Board of Regents Policy 4400: Policy on University of California Diversity Statement. UC Davis is making important progress towards our goal of achieving federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander-Serving Institution. The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion offers a plethora of resources on their website, and the Office of Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (HEDI) has outlined similar goals in their Anti-Racism and DEI Action Plan.” There are a plethora of links available on the About Us webpage where you can learn more about our Administration, Diversity and Inclusion, Rankings, Locations, Native American Land Acknowledgement, Sustainability, Visiting UC Davis, UC Davis Health, and Campus Safety.

The university is consistently ranked among the top institutions in the world for campus sustainability practices by the UI Green Metric World University Rankings. UC Davis is focused on achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and repeatedly shown its commitment to preserving a healthy and sustainable environment for generations to come.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

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Job location

Davis, CA