"Assistant/Associate Professor - Plant Virology"

Job Description Summary

The Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology at Auburn University seek exceptional applicants for the position of Assistant/Associate Professor in plant virology. Expected start date is August 16, 2026.

Responsibilities:

This is a 9-month tenure-track position with 60% research and 40% instruction responsibilities focused on plant virus diseases and their management in agricultural systems. We seek a creative, collaborative scientist who integrates molecular, ecological, and applied approaches to address current and emerging viral threats to crop production. The successful candidate will lead a nationally recognized research program that advances understanding of virus diseases of plants with the goal of sustainable plant production. The candidate’s research may address mechanisms of virus infection, transmission, and plant colonization, or virus–host interactions in agricultural and natural systems, virus ecology and epidemiology under changing environmental conditions, metagenomic and diagnostic innovations for virus detection and monitoring, sustainable management strategies to reduce yield losses and production risk. The candidate will employ modern technological and analytical tools—such as genomics, bioinformatics, imaging, and field phenotyping—to link fundamental discoveries with practical applications in crop improvement and integrated disease management. The successful candidate will be expected to secure extramural funding to support programs and summer salary, publish technical and referred articles, and collaborate effectively with departmental faculty and colleagues in other disciplines.

The instructional appointment would support the Plant Pathology graduate and undergraduate curriculums including the Applied Biotechnology major as well. Instructional responsibilities will include a required graduate course in virology, as well as being part of the team teaching the service course in General Plant Pathology. Mentoring graduate students and service on graduate student advisory committees is expected. Service to the department, college, and university is also expected.

Minimum Qualifications

An earned doctoral degree in Plant Pathology or Virology at the time employment begins; evidence of research productivity (publications, grants, etc.) commensurate with career level; ability to develop an original research program on fundamental and/or applied aspects of plant virology; and evidence of effective teamwork and capability to teach undergraduate and graduate level courses. The candidate selected for the position must meet eligibility requirements for work in the United States at the time of appointment and continue working legally for the term of employment.

Desired Qualifications

Desired qualifications include grantsmanship experience with one or more federal funding agencies/programs, teaching experience in a university level graduate and undergraduate courses, experience with cutting edge research methodologies and techniques in Plant Pathology, and experience in one or more of the other fields in Plant Pathology.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Complete applications must include: 1) a letter of interest, 2) curriculum vitae, 3) statement of teaching philosophy, 4) statement of research philosophy, 5) copies of all transcripts, and when prompted, list three references with all contact information. All materials should be uploaded online at https://www.auemployment.com/postings/56561 and any questions should be send to:

Dr. Kathy Lawrence, Search Committee Chair
Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology
Auburn University
Email: lawrekk@auburn.edu

Only complete application materials will be considered. Active review of applications will begin on January 5, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled. The expected start date is August 16, 2026.

Posting Detail Information

Salary Range
80,000 - 100,000

Open Until Filled
No

References required for this position?
Yes

If yes, minimum number requested
3

Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents
1. Cover Letter
2. Transcripts
3. Curriculum Vitae
4. Statement of Teaching Philosophy
5. Statement of Research and/or Goals

Optional Documents
1. Other Documentation
2. Other