Extension Soybean Agronomist

Company:

North Carolina State University

Job Location:

Category:

Extension and Outreach

Type:

Full-Time

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Location: Raleigh, NC

Essential Job Duties:

The Department of Crop and Soil Sciences is seeking applicants for an Assistant or Associate Professor / Crop Production Management Specialist. The successful candidate will have extension and research responsibilities in the area of applied soybean agronomy in North Carolina.

Responsibilities include:

• Providing comprehensive support to the NC Soybean Producers Association, soybean producers, county agents, crop consultants, NCDA&CS regional agronomists, agribusinesses, and other stakeholders in the field soybean industry.
• Collaborating with existing soybean research and Extension faculty at NC State University to:
  • Develop cutting-edge research to improve agronomic recommendations.
  • Deliver technical training to producers and county agents.
  • Troubleshoot production problems and offer practical solutions.
  • Build relationships that strengthen the field soybean production industry, to include a co-innovation structured program.

The position will publish, update, and revise an NC Soybean Production Guide. Potential applied research might include:

1. Evaluating new products and practices, including precision agriculture;
2. Management strategies for full-season and double-crop soybeans
3. Adapting crop productivity to a shifting climate,
4. Increasing short- and long-term farm profitability,
5. Collaboration with the Director of the Official Variety Testing program to evaluate cultivars in multiple environments,
6. On-farm research and demonstrations, and
7. Integrated management of herbicide-resistant weeds and other pests.

The candidate will also be responsible for disseminating strategic and technical information through various channels:

• Print and electronic formats: Including the commodity portal and social media.
• In-person events: Such as grower meetings, county agent training sessions, field days, stakeholder training, and farm visits.
• Professional presentations: Sharing research and advancements at state, regional, and national meetings to support the growth of the soybean agronomy field.

Additionally, teaching responsibilities will include co-teaching three undergraduate courses:

• CS 118/218 - Southern Row Crop Production: Soybeans, Corn, and Small Grains (spring semester, in-person).
• CS 218 - Southern Row Crop Production: Soybeans, Corn, and Small Grains (fall semester, online).
• CS 590 - Exploring Southern Row Crops Summer Practicum (graduate level, every other summer).

Teaching commitments will include:

• Five weeks per fall and spring semester.
• Two weeks every other summer.

Other Work/Responsibilities:

The position will advise graduate students, and serve on graduate student committees.

This incumbent will need to travel off-site alone to observe research and must independently be able to travel from location to location without reliance on others or the advanced notice that is often required of alternative means of transportation.

Minimum Experience/Education:

• In-depth knowledge of row crop agronomy, including soil science, crop management, and sustainable agriculture practices.
• Ability to design and conduct applied research in agronomy.
• Proficiency in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting field data to develop actionable agronomic recommendations.
• Familiarity with statistical analysis tools and software used in agricultural research.
• Writing skills for producing research reports, Extension bulletins, and publications in academic journals.

Required Qualifications:

• Experience with soybean agronomy.
• Experience with small and large-scale applied research.
• Experience with emerging research and farm technology.
• Experience developing and implementing extension programs that translate research-based knowledge into practical application to farmers, consultants, and ag industry professionals.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for effective interaction with growers, Extension agents, and commodity stakeholders
• Applicants should have a record of research, teaching, extension, and service consistent with appointment at the Assistant or Associate Professor level.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in Soybean production.
• Experience in obtaining extramural funding.

Required License or Certification:

• A valid drivers license is required for travel. NC drivers license required within 60 days of hire and must be maintained.

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