What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Professor of Vegetable Crops position at isu?
Position Title: Assistant Professor of Vegetable Crops Appointment Type: Faculty Job Description: Summary of Duties and Responsibilities: The Department of Horticulture at Iowa State University seeks a Vegetable Crop Specialist with 40% Extension, 40% research, 15% teaching, and 5% service appointment. The successful candidate will lead an integrated research, extension, and teaching program focused on sustainable vegetable production systems pertinent to grower needs in Iowa and the Midwest. The successful candidate is expected to develop a competitive, extramurally funded research program in improving sustainability, productivity, and profitability of vegetable production systems while minimizing environmental impacts. Research efforts are to be well integrated with extension programming and will include mentoring graduate students and generating peer reviewed publications. A strong emphasis on extramural funding and building collaborations with local growers, grower organizations, and other industry partners, and securing funding to support both the research and extension efforts are expected. The successful candidate's specialty area may include high tunnel systems, integrated pest management, irrigation, soil and nutrient management, technologies that optimize crop yields and quality, and/or the development of sustainable crop production practices using precision agriculture technologies (e.g., use of sensors, artificial intelligence, variable rate application methods, etc.). This position will include teaching two undergraduate courses in vegetable production (one every fall and the other every even spring), and contribution to departmental/college/university and professional service. Required Minimum Qualifications: Ph.D. in Horticulture, Crop Science, Agronomy, Entomology, Plant Pathology, or a related field with an emphasis on vegetable crop production Preferred Qualifications: Demonstrated expertise in field and/or high tunnel vegetable production systems Experience developing and delivering extension programs to diverse audiences, including growers, industry partners, stakeholders, and extension field specialists Demonstrated evidence of scholarly productivity in applied research, such as peer reviewed publications and grant writing Teaching experience at the undergraduate or graduate level Expertise in the use of precision agriculture tools to improve vegetable production efficiency and sustainability and/or ability to use data-driven approaches and emerging technologies (sensors, artificial intelligence) to address production challenges Proposed Start Date: July 1, 2026 Number of Months Employed Per Year: 12 Month Work Period Time Type: Full time Application Instructions: To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following: 1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae 2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter 3) Statement of extension philosophy 4) Statement of research interests with plans for extramural funding 5) Contact Information for Three References Application Deadline: Guaranteed consideration date for applications is March 31, 2026. For questions regarding this vacancy, please contact: Dr. Ajay Nair Professor and Chair, Department of Horticulture Ames, IA 50011 nariajay@iastate.edu Why Choose ISU? Iowa State Faculty enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as: • Retirement benefits, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans • Generous leave plans • Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa) • Life insurance and long-term disability • Flexible Spending Accounts • Various voluntary benefits and discounts • Employee Assistance Program • Wellbeing program Original Posting Date: February 4, 2026 Posting Close Date: Job Requisition Number: R18561 By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive land-grant mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities. Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community. Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work. All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check. Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu. If you have questions about the application process please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485. Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email employment@iastate.edu or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942. General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.