Assistant Research Professor of Mushroom Science

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JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

The Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology in the College of Agricultural Sciences at The Pennsylvania State University invites applications for a 36-week, non tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Research Professor. This position has 60% research, 25% extension and 15% teaching responsibilities. This is a term appointment funded for 3 years with renewal dependent on performance and availability of funds.

For their extension responsibilities, the successful applicant is expected to provide service to the Pennsylvania mushroom industry by developing specialty mushroom programming, as well as contribute to the button mushroom production industry needs. The successful applicant should have a thorough understanding and experience with both button mushroom as well as specialty mushroom cropping systems. The candidate will develop an externally funded research program focusing on utilizing molecular tools to investigate the role of microbial communities in mushroom primordia formation and maturation as well as disease susceptibility. The candidate will also be expected to teach a class on mushroom cultivation and contribute to the Mushroom Science and Technology undergraduate minor.

The ability to engage professionally with a diverse population of faculty, staff, and students across the university is required. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with faculty from across the College and University including the One Health Microbiome Center.

Qualifications

A Ph.D. in Agronomy, Agronomic Engineering, Plant Pathology, Horticulture or a related field is required, as is at least 5 years' experience with utilizing metagenomics to study the mushroom substrate microbiome as well as a thorough understanding of the complex button mushroom production system. The candidate is also expected to have experience and the ability to work closely with commercial mushroom farms ranging from small, diversified specialty farms to large button mushroom operations.

Applicants should provide evidence that they have a strong potential for conducting and publishing innovative research, are competitive for external research funding, and will excel in communication with clientele from diverse populations. Candidates will be evaluated on their excellence in microbiome studies and understanding of complex mushroom production systems. potential for publishing microbiology and mushroom cultivation work, obtaining extramural funding, demonstrated commitment to principles of diversity and equity, and collaboration in research within and outside of their field.

Please submit: a Cover Letter, a complete CV, a Research Statement, and Teaching Statement addressing suitability for the research and extension assignments, and the names and contact information for three references. Evidence of a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusivity and belonging in research, teaching and professional service activities should be provided either woven through their application materials or as a separate diversity statement. System limitations allow for a total of 5 documents (5mb per document) as part of your application. Please combine materials to meet the 5-document limit.

For more information about the position, please contact John Pecchia (jap281@psu.edu), Chair of the Search Committee or Maria del Mar Jimenez Gasco (mxj22@psu.edu), Interim Head of the Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging in all its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports both broad and specific equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission.

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