Essential Job Duties

NC State University is seeking an Assistant Professor to lead a nationally recognized and internationally renowned sweetpotato breeding and genetics program with a long history of scientific innovation, variety development, and industry impact. In this role, you will provide leadership for applied and fundamental plant breeding research, advancing genomic-assisted breeding, high-throughput phenomics including UAV and optical imaging, and the application of data analytics, machine learning, Artificial Intelligence, and other emerging technologies to accelerate germplasm improvement and the development of the next generation of sweetpotato cultivars.

Research Leadership

• Lead research programs in breeding, genetics, and emerging technologies, including genomic-assisted breeding, genome editing, data analytics, machine learning, Artificial Intelligence, and other innovative approaches that maximize and accelerate variety and germplasm development.
• Develop, register, patent and promote commercially successful tablestock, industrial and ornamental sweetpotato cultivars with commercial potential, including enhanced adaptability, disease/pest resistance, sustainability, lower input requirements, end-use quality, using both conventional and advanced breeding technologies.
• Oversee germplasm collection, evaluation and screening, genomic and phenomic characterization, and management/maintenance of germplasm resources to advance and support breeding objectives.
• Collaborate with local, national and international scientists in plant and sweetpotato breeding and crop improvement.

Program Management

• Secure extramural funding through grants, industry partnerships, and public-private collaborations.
• Lead a multidisciplinary team of scientific collaborators, staff, graduate students, and interns.
• Manage budgets, facilities, and resources to ensure efficient and effective program operations.

Teaching and Mentorship

• Provide graduate and undergraduate training in plant breeding, genetics, and horticultural science including teaching.
• Mentor and advise graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and interns to develop future leaders in plant breeding and genetics.

Extension and Outreach

• Collaborate with industry stakeholders to translate research into commercial products and practices.
• Engage with growers and allied industries with education programs to facilitate adoption of improved crops and technologies.
• Present research and contribute to professional meetings.