The IR-4 Project is a national Federal/State partnership research program to assist farmers of fruits, vegetables, nuts, herbs, ornamentals, and other specialty crops by facilitating registration of safe and effective chemical and bio-based pest management products. The IR-4 Project is needed because the crop protection industry focuses their research efforts on major crops such as corn, soybean, and cotton that provide the companies adequate return on their development investment. Without IR-4, farmers of specialty crops would only have access to a few crop protection products to protect their crops. IR-4 Project Headquarters provides national leadership, coordination and regulatory compliance for the IR-4 Project research activities performed by approx. 120 scientists at over 20 public sector research farms and four analytical laboratories throughout the United States.

The IR-4 Project Environmental Horticulture Program (EHP) Manager position will be tasked to coordinate research and pesticide (bio-based and chemical) registration activities on non-food, ornamental plant species within the IR-4 Project. Specifically, this position will direct:

• The establishment of research priorities via a biennial stakeholder priority-setting workshop.
• Oversee the establishment of the annual research program including development of research protocols, working with Regional Field Coordinators to identify research cooperators; and assisting research cooperators and other stakeholders with questions involving research.
• Interface with representatives from registrants, trade associations, and regulatory agencies.
• Critically review results of field trials, and assess if there is adequate data to support regulatory actions and/or use recommendations. Summarize outcomes and transmit findings to cooperating registrants, other stakeholders, and IR-4 Management.

• Draft research protocols involving consultation with registrants, research scientists, and stakeholders.
• Based on input from stakeholders, finalize protocols and transmit them to researchers and IR-4 Regional Offices well in advance of target dates for research.
• Be available to assist by answering inquiries from researchers and IR-4 Regional Field Coordinators. Assist by providing expertise and knowledge of horticultural crops of interest, major issues, pests of concern, and product rates to test.
• Working with Regional Offices, maintaining real-time status of research projects, including knowledge of when critical phases of research are planned/performed and when research reports are received. Communicate with IR-4 management and stakeholders about the progress of research.
• Critically review and scientifically assess data reports associated with the projects in a timely manner to ensure that the research was performed appropriately and according to protocol. Communicate any issues identified during research to Regional Field Coordinators and researchers. When appropriate, modify protocols to add new products, and remove products that do not produce effective control of target pests and/or result in unacceptable phytotoxicity.
• Write a brief synopsis for each trial and enter information into the EHP database. Update the database as needed for new studies and trials.
• Write comparative data summaries to submit to the industry and post to the IR-4 Project website.

• Establish and solicit feedback from ornamental growers and public sector researchers on the most important pest management needs.
• Coordinate the IR-4 Environmental Horticulture Priority Setting Workshop. This includes:
  • Prepare comparative product tables related to relevant potential projects for use at the Workshop.
  • Collaborate with IR-4 Headquarters and Regional personnel to facilitate research priority discussions at the Workshop.

• Routinely meet with representatives from the crop protection industry to involve appropriate company products in IR-4 research.
• Share information on ongoing IR-4 Project research activities and solicit updates on the status of registrant technology, including new products in a particular registrant portfolio.
• Track company submission targets to ensure that IR-4 data is included in company submissions.
• Solicit additional funding to support the expansion of IR-4 research and communicate all requests and commitments to IR-4 management in a timely manner.

• Represent IR-4 at various regional, national, and international meetings and conferences regarding IR-4 activities to manage pests and provide solutions to stakeholders. This includes commodity meetings and trade conventions. Attend the relevant scientific meeting(s) and participate on relevant committees. Field questions from stakeholders on IR-4 activities with pesticides by serving as a resource.
• Collaborate with the IR-4 National Information and Communications Officer and team to write articles and other pieces of literature highlighting the EH Program activities.

• In association with IR-4 Project's Path Forward 2.0, cooperate with the IR-4 Technology Team and others in the design and implementation of appropriate processes and systems to increase efficiency and/or thru-put in the Environmental Horticulture Program including priority setting, research, reporting, and sharing of data to support registrations. This includes:
  • Development of a publically available, user-centric database that allows stakeholders easy access to up-to-date information on Environmental Horticulture Program research and other activities.
  • Implement systems that provide "real-time" information about research, including the status of field trials and test plants used in research.
  • Modernize data collection systems to facilitate electronic capturing and transferring of data from field sites to IR-4 research coordinators/managers.

Applicant required documents: Cover Letter, CV/Resume, Contact Information for Professional References.

NC State University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as an individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-515-3148 to speak with a representative at the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity.
If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or .
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.
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