NOTICE OF VACANCY
Pome Fruit Breeder/Geneticist (Apples)
Washington State University
Search #4873
WORKING TITLE: Pome Fruit Breeder/Geneticist
15% Academic Programs /85% Agricultural Research Center
RANK: Assistant Professor or Associate Professor, 12-month, tenure track
LOCATION: Washington State University (WSU) Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center (TFREC), Wenatchee, Washington
SALARY: Competitive and commensurate with training and experience.
EFFECTIVE: July 1, 2008
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
Washington State is the leading producer of apples, pears, and sweet cherries in the U.S., with more than 200,000 (180,000 apple) acres of tree fruits
statewide valued at more than $6 billion annually. The TFREC in Wenatchee is central to this large production region. The Yakima Valley and Columbia
Basin, easily accessible from Wenatchee, remain as some of the most agriculturally-diverse regions of the U.S. These regions are also major producers
of tree fruits in addition to many other high-value horticultural crops. The long, warm summer days, cool nights, low precipitation, and volcanic soils
make the area ideal for irrigated fruit production.
Washington State University is the state’s land grant university with teaching, research, and extension missions. The Washington State University Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture is located on the main campus in Pullman, with research locations and faculty in seven other locations throughout Washington State. As a result of recent strategic hires, Rosaceous genetics, genomics and plant breeding have emerged as a preeminent area within the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture and within the College. The Orville A. Vogel Plant Biosciences Building on the Pullman Campus, the first of five under construction or planned in the Biotechnology Complex opened in 2005, features new state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities in support of an expanded university-wide effort in this area. A recently published analysis ranks Plant Science research productivity at Washington State University in the top echelon.
This position is located at the Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center (TFREC) in Wenatchee, located in one of the principal production areas in Washington State. The TFREC is one of several research centers of the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences. Comprehensive research projects are conducted by Washington State University and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) collaborating scientists in all phases of orchard culture, pest control, fruit harvesting and handling, fruit maturity, storage, grading and packaging. These programs also include basic science aspects of plant physiology, entomology, plant pathology, soil science, horticulture, economics and biochemistry. Research programs at the TFREC emphasize primarily apples, pears and sweet cherries although some research is conducted on apricots, peaches and plums. Research is also conducted in orchards of cooperating growers throughout the major fruit production areas of Washington. Production and postharvest research by USDA scientists is also conducted using grower orchards and in cooperation with fruit packinghouses. The core of the facilities is the main center campus located in Wenatchee which includes office, laboratory, and greenhouse space for WSU and USDA scientists. A newly dedicated state-of-the-art research orchard in Wenatchee provides field research facilities for these same scientists plus those from the main Pullman campus and other research centers around the state. The Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission uses grower assessments on fruit produced in the state to provide funds to conduct a substantial research effort in partnership with WSU on every aspect of tree fruit production, from germplasm and rootstock development to improved post-harvest practices as well as sensory eating quality. Approximately $3 million per year is invested in tree fruit research grants, with funding based on the proportion of dollars collected for each tree fruit commodity.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
The incumbent will lead the WSU Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture pome fruit breeding and genetics research and extension program, with emphasis on the use of modern genetic and genomic research tools to assist in the creation of new apple varieties specifically suited to production in the Pacific Northwest. The program complements other Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center (TFREC) initiatives, such as tree fruit physiology, tree fruit virology, disease forecasting, post-harvest biology/technology, and integrated pest management.
The research program will focus on the use of modern genetic and genomic research tools to create new apple varieties, continuation and enhancement of the established apple breeding program, and maintenance and evaluation of the existing apple germplasm collection at Wenatchee. The incumbent’s program will complement other breeding, genetics, and genomics programs in the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture that focus on stone fruit, raspberry, and strawberry. Opportunities may also emerge for future work on pears.
The successful candidate will emphasize collaborative programs with state, federal, and private research and extension personnel to strengthen an interdisciplinary horticultural breeding, genetics, and genomics team. The successful candidate will actively pursue extramural research funding, contribute scholarly literature, and enhance the national and international scope of the WSU apple breeding program. The successful applicant will be expected to conduct an approved program of research consistent with the mission of the WSU Agricultural Research Center. The incumbent will be expected to work effectively with extension specialists and area agents, private crop consultants, and with the grower community and stakeholders. The incumbent will participate in regional meetings, promote apple varieties, and write for popular/grower press in addition to publishing in scientific journals. Teaching responsibilities will include classroom instruction in fruit breeding and genetics, and the mentoring and supervision of graduate and undergraduate students.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Required: 1) Ph.D. in horticulture or a related plant science discipline at the time of hire.
2) Evidence of scholarly accomplishments in fruit breeding, genetics, and genomics.
3) Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with technical and
non-technical audiences in oral, written, and electronic forms.
Highly Desired: 1) Excellent abilities in research, teaching, and team building.
2) Evidence of potential for acquiring extramural grant support.
3) Knowledge of field research in tree fruit breeding.
4) Knowledge of state-of- the-art genetic and genomic techniques.
LOCATION:
The Greater Wenatchee Area has a population of 37,300 and straddles the Columbia River in the center of Washington. In addition to excellent primary and secondary schools, Washington State University offers upper-division and graduate-level courses and programs through distance-learning opportunities located on the Wenatchee Valley College campus. Wenatchee is located on the eastern edge of the Cascade Range, thus providing abundant recreational opportunities. In addition to local attractions, year-round art and cultural events, and a thriving seasonal farmer’s market, the City of Seattle and the greater Puget Sound Region lie 150 miles to the west.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Screening of application materials will begin January 15, 2008. A letter addressing qualifications, a statement of professional vision and goals, a detailed resume with publication list, copies of official college/university transcripts, and three current, signed letters of reference (direct from the source) must be provided. Send this application packet to:
Dr. John Fellman, Search Chair
Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture
Washington State University
P.O. Box 646414
Pullman, WA 99164-6414
509-335-3454 (voice), 509-335-8690 (fax), fellman@wsu.edu
For information on application status, contact Ms. Bev Brantner at 509-335-3943 or brantner@wsu.edu.
WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EDUCATOR AND EMPLOYER. Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veterans, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply.
WSU employs only US citizens and lawfully authorized non-US citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Washington State University is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521(v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509.-335-1259(f), or hrs@wsu.edu
Beverly Brantner, Program Coordinator
Horticulture & Landscape Architecture
Washington State University
PO Box 646414
Pullman, WA 99164-6414
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Johnson Hall 149
Phone 509-335-3943 Fax 509-335-8690
brantner@wsu.edu