Open Rank T/TT Faculty - Chancellor�??s Faculty Excellence Program (CFEP) - Emerging Plant Disease and Global Food Security Cluster

Description

Posting Information

Posting Number PG192163EP
Internal Recruitment No
Working Title Open Rank T/TT Faculty - Chancellor’s Faculty Excellence Program (CFEP) - Emerging Plant Disease and Global Food Security Cluster
Anticipated Hiring Range Commensurate with experience
Work Schedule Varies; dependent on the needs of the department and courses taught.
Job Location Raleigh, NC
Department Provost's Office
About the Department About the Cluster, University and Triangle The NC State University Chancellor’s Faculty Excellence Program seeks an outstanding candidate for an open rank tenure track faculty position to expand the interdisciplinary faculty cluster on “ Emerging Plant Disease and Global Food Security (EPDGFS)” Recruiting for the cluster was initiated in 2015 and has resulted in four hires. The cluster faculty develop new knowledge to better understand the fundamental basis of emerging infectious diseases caused by pathogens of plants including the development of tools – enabling a more rapid response to contain and limit potential damage by emerging threats. The cluster faculty research has a focus on emerging plant disease biology using an array of new technologies to gather, analyze, synthesize, and share knowledge about emerging infectious diseases of plants caused by agricultural crop pathogens and associated arthropod vectors using novel biosurveillance methods, host parasite biology, bioinformatics and innovative detection technologies. The EPDGFS team has secured grants from major funding organizations including NSF, USDA, DOE and several large agrochemical companies.
NC State University and the “Emerging Plant Disease and Global Food Security” cluster provide a dynamic environment for teaching and research collaborations across disciplines. The Chancellor’s Faculty Excellence Program has brought some of the best and brightest minds to NC State University’s inter- and multidisciplinary efforts to solve some of the globe’s most significant problems. Guided by a strong strategic plan and an aggressive vision, the cluster-hiring program is adding new faculty members in select fields to increase the breadth and depth of NC State’s already-strong efforts. The Chancellor’s Faculty Excellence Program has recently released a major initiative of the university’s strategic plan, called “”https://strategicplan.ncsu.edu/archive/pathway-to-the-future/index.html"> The Pathway to the Future.”

The Chancellor’s Faculty Excellence Program ( http://workthatmatters.ncsu.edu) has brought some of the best and brightest minds to NC State University’s inter- and multidisciplinary efforts to solve some of the globe’s most significant problems. Guided by a strong strategic plan and an aggressive vision, the cluster hiring program is adding new faculty members in select fields to add breadth and depth to NC State’s already-strong efforts.
NC State University provides a vibrant environment for research, teaching and mentoring across disciplines. Ample opportunities will be available for collaborations with existing faculty and other newly hired colleagues across multiple clusters. Our location in the Research Triangle also facilitates interaction with faculty at Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as well as with industry and government agencies.
Many opportunities will be available for collaborations with existing faculty and other newly hired colleagues across multiple clusters. NC State’s location in the Research Triangle also provides rich opportunities for interactions with industry; other universities, including Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; and a number of government agencies. Opportunities for synergistic linkages with The NC Plant Sciences Initiative, The Global One Health Academy, The Data Science Academy, The Bioinformatics Research Center, The Center for Integrated Fungal Research and The Center for Geospatial Analytics are also highly anticipated.
Essential Job Duties In this position, we seek a solution-driven research scholar with expertise on plant pathogenic oomycetes including Phytophthora species and fungi. They will conduct cutting-edge science to track emerging plant pathogenic Phytophthora and fungi that can be used by decision-makers to improve local and global efforts to manage emerging pathogens that threaten crop production and food security. Examples of research include population genomics using modern high-throughput sequencing methods (e.g., long-read, rad-seq, pen-seq, single cell, etc.) sequencing to track outbreak strains, understand centers of origins, migrations, and sources of plant diseases, analytics of spatially explicit population genomics datasets to predict transmission pathways, and deployment of rapid response strategies to detect and limit potential damage by emerging threats. Applicants with a history of working across boundaries using population genomics datasets with plant disease epidemiologists and spatial modelers is important. Approaches that leverage translation to stakeholders at the local, national and international levels are especially important.
This position will participate in teams that help develop proposals to advance interdisciplinary research in emerging plant diseases is expected (i.e. NSF Predictive Intelligence for Pandemic Preparedness Phase 2 grant anticipated submission fall 2023). The successful candidate will also become part of the integrated core team of the cluster that is part of the Plant Science Initiative at NC State.
Hiring may occur at the level of Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor ranks.

The home department is anticipated to be in one of the three participating colleges (College of Sciences, College of Forestry and Natural Resources and or The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences) and will be determined based on candidates credentials, interest, and research expertise.
Other Responsibilities Hires will be expected to provide key leadership in the Emerging Plant Disease Cluster at the university level, teach in existing courses, and develop a specialized course that includes their area of expertise including co leading an “Emerging Pathogen Threats” colloquium.

Perform other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

• Applicants must have a Ph.D. in plant pathology, plant biology, plant pathogen genomics, ecology and or evolutionary biology, or a relevant field and demonstrated expertise in use of population genomics to track emerging Phytophthora species or fungal pathogens by the time of employment.

Other Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated record of scholarship and clear potential to develop a high quality, extramurally funded research program.
• Ability to teach at the graduate levels and mentor graduate students and postdocs.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and demonstrated ability to work with others.
• Inclusiveness and diversity are critical to success at NC State and in engagement outside the university, and the selected candidate will be expected to foster an environment that is welcoming of all groups.

Preferred Qualifications

• Priority will be given to individuals with demonstrated successful research programs and collaboration as a member of an interdisciplinary and/or multidisciplinary team.

Required License(s) or Certification(s) N/A
Valid NC Driver's License required No
Commercial Driver's License required No
Recruitment Dates and Special Instructions

Job Open Date 10/20/2022
Anticipated Close Date Open until filled.
Special Instructions to Applicants Interested candidates should submit:

• Cover letter describing their (1) prior interdisciplinary and/or multidisciplinary research efforts and (2) how their research, teaching, mentoring, diversity, equity, and inclusion philosophy address the goals of the Emerging Plant Disease cluster
• CV
• 2-3 page research plan
• Contact information for 3 references
  

Review of applications will begin immediately (January 1) and will continue until the position is filled. The target start date is August 2023; however, a mutually beneficial time may be negotiated.
Questions about the position may be directed to Dr. Jean Ristaino ( [email protected]).
Position Details

Position Number 00109677
Position Type Tenured/Tenure-Track Faculty
Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week) 1.0
Appointment 9 Month Recurring
Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather
Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events Non Mandatory - Emergency Event
Is this position partially or fully funded on ARRA stimulus monies? No
Department ID 020101 - Provost's Office
AA/EEO 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 [email protected].

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.

NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.