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​PAA Job Board​

Find your next job opportunity with the PAA Job Board! We all play a vital role in the success of the potato industry. Find your next job or perfect candidate in a place that specializes in everything potato.

Open Positions

Open positions are listed starting with most recently posted.

Assistant Professor, Department of Plant Pathology

Washington State University
Application Deadline: May 27, 2025
Application screening will begin April 21, 2025

• Position Details

  Position Details

  Position Summary

  The successful candidate will be part of a dynamic research and extension team comprising WSU and USDA scientists over several academic units based in Pullman and the Research and Extension Centers in Prosser and Mount Vernon, WA. Washington is the second largest producer of processing potatoes in the United States and has substantial table and seed potato production. The successful candidate is expected to participate in transdisciplinary teams, collaborate with faculty at WSU as well as with state, federal, and industry scientists in the region and beyond. Potential research areas may include, but are not limited to, the etiology, ecology, epidemiology, diagnostics, population biology, and management of pathogens relevant to processing, table, and seed potato production in Washington, with a primary focus on fungal, oomycete, and bacterial diseases. The candidate will develop an integrated extension program that engages with diverse stakeholders in the Pacific Northwest potato industry. The successful candidate is expected to acquire competitive grant funding from national, regional, state, and industry sources.

  Teaching duties include a graduate level course in epidemiology and management of plant diseases and contributions to a team-taught introductory plant pathology course. The person filling this position is expected to serve as an effective mentor to both undergraduate and graduate students, and to serve as major advisor and committee member for students working toward M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to student recruitment and retention, and participate in departmental, university, and professional service activities.

  This is an 11-month appointment for the first three years, then a 9-month appointment thereafter. The candidate may supplement their salary for the additional month(s).

  
  

  Required Qualifications

  • An earned doctorate in plant pathology or related field at the time of hire.
  • Evidence of research productivity commensurate with career level.
  • Evidence of effective oral and written communication skills.

  
  

  Preferred Qualifications

  • Ability to develop an original research and extension program addressing the biology and management of plant diseases.
  • Potential to develop a dynamic, diverse, and innovative teaching program at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
  • Ability to advise and mentor graduate and undergraduate students.
  • Evidence of obtaining external funding in the form of competitive grants, gifts, and in-kind resources to support research and extension programs.
  • Demonstrated commitment to advancing the goals of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

  
  

  Other Details

  Position Type: Full Time
  Salary Range: Assistant Professor: $72,000 - $77,000 for a 9-month academic appointment with the option of the person in this position supplementing their salary for up to an additional 3 months/year.
  Tenure Track: Yes

  
  

  Application Details

  Application Deadline: May 27, 2025
  Application screening will begin April 21, 2025

  The online application must include:

  • Cover letter (maximum 2 pages)
  • Current curriculum vitae
  • Research and extension statement (maximum 2 pages)
  • Teaching statement (maximum 1 page)
  • Statement on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) that addresses your DEI values and philosophy, examples of how you have engaged in DEI, and how you anticipate engaging in DEI if offered the position (maximum 2 pages; please refer to our DEI Guidelines
  • The names and contact information for four professional references.

  
  

  The application should address each of the required and preferred qualifications for the position. Combine all 6 documents into a single PDF file. For questions about the position, contact Scott Harper, Search Committee Chair, scott.harper@wsu.edu

  Apply Now
  

Professor of Potato Improvement (Assistant, Associate, or Full)

Colorado State University
Application Deadline: March 24, 2025

• Position Details

  Position Details

  Position Summary

  The College of Agricultural Sciences at Colorado State University (CSU) invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant/Associate/Full Professor faculty position in potato improvement. This position is expected to be a 65% research, 20% teaching, and 15% service appointment on a 9-month contract. This position’s effort allocation is negotiable with the home academic department.

  We seek applications from scientists to continue and develop an innovative potato improvement program at CSU. The successful applicant will be expected to integrate modern and conventional methods to make genetic and genomic discoveries and to improve potato germplasm. Candidates are sought with demonstrated capacity to integrate next-generation technologies and large datasets with classical field-, greenhouse-, and laboratory-based plant improvement approaches in their research program. Candidates should have a strong record of collaborative research, strong program management and leadership skills, and a desire to incorporate new techniques and technologies to advance the field of potato breeding. This work should lead to an improved understanding of genetic and environmental factors that affect potato and it should develop varieties, inbred lines, and hybrids to improve the local and national potato industry, and advance plant improvement theory.

  The successful candidate will teach undergraduate and/or graduate level courses in the candidate’s area of expertise. A 20% teaching appointment is equivalent to one 3-credit class and contribution to a second class per year. Graduate student advising, participation with undergraduate research and mentoring, and contributions toward outreach and service activities are expected. Candidates should demonstrate an understanding of Colorado State University’s Principles of Community.

  
  

  Required Qualifications

  Assistant Professor

  • Ph.D. in a field related to plant improvement, such as integrated plant sciences, plant breeding, plant genetics, or a related field completed by the deadline for full consideration.
  • A strong record of scholarly achievement commensurate with experience.
  • Effective communication skills, with an emphasis on presenting and disseminating research information to a range of audiences.
  • Experience participating in or leading a plant improvement program
  • Knowledge of genomics and its application to crop breeding

  
  

  Associate Professor

  • Ph.D. in a field related to plant improvement, such as integrated plant sciences, plant breeding, plant genetics, or a related field completed by the deadline for full consideration.
  • A strong record of scholarly achievement commensurate with experience.
  • Effective communication skills, with an emphasis on presenting and disseminating research information to a range of audiences.
  • Experience participating in or leading a plant improvement program
  • Knowledge of genomics and its application to crop breeding
  • Track record of obtaining competitive research grant funding.

  
  

  Professor

  • Ph.D. in a field related to plant improvement, such as integrated plant sciences, plant breeding, plant genetics, or a related field completed by the deadline for full consideration.
  • A strong record of scholarly achievement commensurate with experience.
  • Effective communication skills, with an emphasis on presenting and disseminating research information to a range of audiences.
  • Experience participating in or leading a plant improvement program
  • Knowledge of genomics and its application to crop breeding
  • Track record of obtaining competitive research grant funding.
  • Ability to lead collaborative research at national and international levels.
  • Experience with engagement and outreach with agricultural producers and other external partners.

  
  

  Preferred Job Qualifications

  Assistant Professor

  • Potential for excellence in teaching and mentoring of undergraduate and graduate students
  • Track record of obtaining competitive research grant funding.
  • Capacity for program leadership and management.
  • Ability to lead collaborative research at regional, national, and international levels.
  • Experience with engagement and outreach with agricultural producers and other external partners.

  
  

  Associate Professor

  • Potential for excellence in teaching and mentoring of undergraduate and graduate students
  • Capacity for program leadership and management.
  • Ability to lead collaborative research at regional, national, and international levels.
  • Experience with engagement and outreach with agricultural producers and other external partners.

  
  

  Professor

  • Potential for excellence in teaching and mentoring of undergraduate and graduate students
  • Capacity for program leadership and management.

  
  

  Other Details

  Work Location: Fully in-office/in-person
  Hours Per Week: 40
  Salary Range: Assistant Professor: $85,000 - $100,000 Associate Professor: $95,000 - $120,000 Professor: $120,000 - $150,000
  Tenure Track: Yes

  
  

  Application Details

  Application deadline for full consideration: March 24, 2025

  Interested applicants must submit a cover letter which addresses how professional experiences align with identified required and preferred qualifications of the position, a current CV, Statement of Teaching Philosophy (limit two pages). Statement of Research Philosophy (limit two pages), and the names, e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers of three (3) professional references. References will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates. If you have questions, please contact Amy.Charkowski@Colostate.edu.

  CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.

  Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

  Apply Today
  

Saad Hafez Presidential Endowed Chair in Nematology - Research Faculty - Extension Specialist (Parma)

University of Idaho - College of Agricultural & Life Sciences

• Position Details

  Position Details

  Position Summary

  The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences is seeking to hire a Tenured Associate or Full Professor to serve as the Saad Hafez Presidential Endowed Chair for the Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology and Nematology. The purpose of a Presidential Endowed Chair is to recruit and retain faculty with outstanding scholarly records who will provide scholarship and leadership that enhances their department, their college and the university (65%). This is a distinguished faculty position that represents accomplishment, prestige, leadership and good citizenship on campus and in the profession. The faculty selected must continue to perform as exemplary academicians and excellent colleagues. The position will participate in college and university service and leadership (5%). In addition, the Presidential Endowed Chair will provide important outreach (30%) to regional and national stakeholders, including but not limited to agribusiness, commodity groups, producers and policy makers on issues related to nematology in Idaho. Endowment distributions may be used at the discretion of the dean in accordance with current College of Agricultural and Life Sciences policies and procedures for endowed chair positions. Endowed funds will be used to support the presidential endowed chair position and research may include, but is not limited to supporting faculty, students, staff, travel, equipment, and salary enhancements. The chairship will be reviewed for renewal by the dean every five years.

  
  

  Required Qualifications

  • Earned Ph.D. in Nematology or an appropriate agricultural discipline with a research emphasis in Nematology.
  • Must hold the rank of Associate or Full Professor with tenure.
  • Experience and training in fundamental and applied nematology research.
  • Experience conducting research and disseminating research-based information in peer reviewed journals/publications.
  • Experience communicating with clientele and providing them with both written and oral information.
  • Experience working collaboratively with colleagues and clientele.

  
  

  Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with specialty or field crops research and extension.
  • Experience securing external funds.
  • Strong publication record.
  • Experience developing and delivering extension programs.
  • Experience in training graduate and undergraduate students.

  
  

  Other Details

  Rank & Tenure: Negotiable based on how the candidate meets the criteria
  Pay Range: Commensurate with Experience
  Primary Division/College: College of Agriculture & Life Sciences

  
  

  Application Details

  Applications received by February 2, 2025 will receive first consideration. Along with your on-line application, write a letter of qualification addressing how you meet the required and preferred qualifications listed.

  In addition, your application materials must include a CV, names & contact information for at least three (3) professional references, and unofficial transcripts.

  Apply Today!
  

Yanqing District Participatory Breeding and Community Development Project

Beijing, China Research Center
Brethren Volunteer Service

• Position Details

  Position Details

  Position Summary

  Brethren Volunteer Service has an all-expense-paid (room/board at the center +$250/mo stipend) position seeking an individual/couple to work on Community-based participatory breeding activities from a research facilities located in the District of Yanqing, Beijing, China. This position is new, so there is no existing model for accomplishing this work. We seek an individual that can work across cultures, and languages, uniting farmers in a common purpose. The individual must respect Chinese and international cultures and have a natural humility while working with farmers in Yanqing District, and scientists and students at the research facilities. This position will be unique in its role, responsibilities, and undertaking, as it will require initiating a mechanism to work with farmers, scientists and students to develop a new and as-yet-untried method of working in the community. The individual is expected to bring novel ideas and have a gritty work ethic to deliver fruition. There is opportunity to do additional off-season work in the fully equipped trait/biotech lab with international staff.

  
  

  Project Details

  Duration: One Year, with the potential for extension
  Location: Beijing (Yanqing District)
  Job Type: Volunteer, all-expense-paid (room/board +$250/mo stipend)

  
  

  Required Expertise

  • MS or Ph.D. (or extensive experience) in breeding, biology, agriculture, or related fields
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact with a wide range of individuals, including non-professionals, farmers, students, scientists, academics, and government officials from within China and internationally.
  • Strong team-building skills
  • Humble fearless leader
  • Innovator

  
  

  Preferred Skills

  Some may be learned on the job.

  • understanding of potato breeding and genetics, and ability to quickly assess and interpret information to develop goals.
  • Knowledge of breeding traits necessary for quality, and how to achieve them.
  • Knowledge of biotic and abiotic plant stresses

  
  

  Project Objectives

  • With the support of staff, establish a community-based Participatory Potato Breeding Program with farmers in Yanqing District
  • Utilize germplasm from the Breeding Resources Center and breeding projects with input from farmers and scientists to establish a suitable breeding project/s ensuring that all stakeholders’ opinions are included.
  • Establish and manage a breeders’ network for sharing information
  • Invite farmers (and others as required) for round table discussions on goals and achievements
  • Develop workshops for capacity training: breeding, agronomy, business management and financial management are potential ideas.
  • Develop objectives by personal interest, or as deemed necessary for the advancement of projects.

  
  Apply Now
  
  

  Questions? email drarroz903@gmail.com

  
  

Questions?

Contact us at paajobs@scisoc.org