Assistant/ Associate Professor of Tree Fruit Production and Physiology

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JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

The Department of Plant Science in the College of Agriculture Sciences at The Pennsylvania State University is hiring an Assistant/Associate Professor of Tree Fruit Production and Physiology

The Department of Plant Science at The Pennsylvania State University is seeking candidates for a tenure-track, 9-month position at the Assistant/Associate Professor level with 75% research and 25% extension responsibilities. The successful candidate will be located at the Penn State Fruit Research and Extension Center (FREC) in Biglerville Pennsylvania. FREC is a 180-acre branch campus of the Pennsylvania State University, with offices, greenhouses, laboratories, and intensive orchards for conducting field research on deciduous tree fruit. FREC is strategically located in the heart of Pennsylvania's fruit belt, housing six faculty from five disciplines including entomology, pathology, agricultural engineering, and economics. Research orchards are maintained by career technical support staff with modern orchard equipment, and under the supervision of a full-time facilities manager.

Pennsylvania has a diverse and progressive tree fruit industry with an annual farm gate value exceeding $115 million. Nationally the state ranks fourth in apple production, fifth in peaches, and sixth in pears. Fruit is grown for both fresh and processing markets and there are several tree fruit nurseries.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The successful candidate will be a creative team-oriented scientist, provide leadership to the tree fruit research program, and will support the statewide Tree Fruit Extension Team. Research and extension activities should support orchard systems that are well-suited to the region's climate and soils for fruit while providing ecosystem services such as water quality protection, climate resilience, soil health enhancement, and wildlife habitat.

The successful candidate is expected to conduct an innovative research program focused on horticultural challenges facing the tree fruit industry, primarily apples and peaches. Research priorities include enhancing fruit quality, increasing biological and labor efficiency of tree fruit production, post-harvest physiology, and helping growers adapt to climate change. This may include but is not limited to: evaluation of new germplasm, improving pre- and post-harvest fruit quality, plant growth regulators for thinning and maturity management, , predictive modelling and evaluation of fruit crop physiological processes, and developing canopy management practices to enhance performance of automation and mechanization. This position will also advance mechanistic knowledge of crop responses to abiotic stresses, thereby identifying opportunities for increasing climate resilience through orchard management strategies.

The successful candidate will be expected to collaborate closely with the extension tree fruit specialist at the University Park campus, develop strong research collaborations within the department and with faculty in other departments and colleges, as well as nationally and internationally. Securing external grant support for collaborative projects is imperative. The candidate will be expected to advise and mentor graduate students as part of the research component of the position.

Extension responsibilities include interacting with other specialists, county educators, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and stakeholder groups around the state, region and nation; and participating in a comprehensive extension education program with a variety of outputs such as the periodic overall coordination and updating chapters in the tree fruit production guide, fact sheets, articles in Penn State's Fruit Times web page, the Pennsylvania Fruit News, digital products, webinars, and field demonstrations. The successful candidate will be a primary source of science-based information presented at the Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Conference and other educational meetings to develop and present educational programs.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Ph.D. in plant science, plant biology, horticulture, or a related field is required. Candidates must possess disciplinary depth in a field relevant to tree fruit physiology; experience with horticultural and multi-disciplinary research is desired, as the faculty member is expected to collaborate with colleagues in agricultural engineering and plant protection disciplines. Candidates must have strong writing and oral communication skills, an established peer-reviewed publication record and a demonstrated ability to engage professionally with a diverse population of faculty, staff, and students across the university as well as an ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders.

SALARY:

Commensurate with qualifications and experience. An excellent benefits package includes health, dental, and retirement contributions.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Candidates should apply online at https://hr.psu.edu/careers. Review of applications will begin on December 1, 2024, and continue until the position is filled. Candidates should provide a cover letter, curriculum vitae, the names and contact information for three references, three representative publications, a statement of research experiences/future interests, and a statement of teaching pedagogy/interests. Applicants should provide evidence, either woven through their application materials or as a separate diversity statement, of a commitment to fostering diversity, equity, inclusive excellence, and belonging and of engagement that creates an inclusive environment in their classroom, Department, and the University.

START DATE: July, 2025 or as negotiated.

This position requires that you operate a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties. A valid driver's license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required in addition to standard background checks.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusion that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusion as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission. We particularly welcome applicants who can contribute to such an environment through their scholarship of teaching, research, and professional service. We strongly encourage historically underrepresented groups in academia to apply.

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