Northwest HERC

Endowed Chair in Soil Science for Tree Fruit Systems

Online applications must be received before 11:59pm on:
May 17, 2026
If a date is not listed above, review the Applicant Instructions below for more details.

Available Title(s):
270-NN_FACULTY - Assistant Professor, 280-NN_FACULTY - Associate Professor, 290-NN_FACULTY - Professor

Business Title:
Endowed Chair in Soil Science for Tree Fruit Systems

Employee Type:
Faculty

Position Term:
9 Month

Position Details:

THE OPPORTUNITY

Washington State University (WSU) Department of Crop and Soil Sciences (CSS) in the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS) seeks a dynamic, motivated, problem-solving leader to develop an innovative, systems-based soil research and extension program for Washington tree fruit, contributing to a growing focus on soil-plant interactions. This position is a full-time, continuous, tenured/tenure-track (assistant, associate, or professor rank), Endowed Chair in Soil Science for Tree Fruit Systems.

The endowed chair will build a nationally and internationally recognized program focused on soil and rhizosphere processes that enhances the competitiveness of Washington's tree fruit industries, supports environmental sustainability, and benefits agricultural communities. Washington State is a global leader in tree fruit production, with more than 230,000 acres generating $7.5 billion annually.

The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary team of soil, plant, and agricultural scientist and extension specialist across the WSU and partner institutions engaged in research, teaching, and outreach to address the economic, regulatory, and environmental challenges faced by the tree fruit industry. This position complements five other priority areas supported by a $2 million endowment made possible by a historic $32 million investment from Washington's tree fruit producers. The endowment, overseed by an Endowed Advisory Commission (EAC), provides a generous annual support to the candidate's program, in addition to salary and operational support for five information technology transfer positions (ITTs), and funds for research orchards, facilities, and equipment. More information can be found here.

RESPONSIBILITIES
The Endowed Chair in Soil Science for Tree Fruit Systems will address key challenges in Washington's tree fruit industry through research and extension grounded in soil sciences, including rhizosphere processes, soil microbiology, soil biochemistry and chemical ecology, nutrient cycling, soil-root-plant interactions, and their relation to orchard economic and environmental sustainability. The chair will lead a collaborative, systems-based program, working with scientist, extension specialist, ITT's and industry partners to generate knowledge, promote adoption, and demonstrate impact. Findings will be shared in formal and informal extension and outreach activities, presentations, scientific and grower-focused publications, and established extension platforms (e.g., WSU Tree Fruit webpage, Fruit Matters).

The candidate will pursue extramural funding to expand their program. WSU tree fruit faculty are encouraged to engage with the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission who provides funds of approximately $2 million per year, to support competitive research and extension projects on essential aspects of tree fruit production. The chair will have the opportunity to participate in the Washington Soil Health Initiative and their Long-Term Agriculture Research and Extension (LTARE) sites, a unique network of six soil health LTAREs in Washington State funded by the Washington State Legislature.

The chair will support undergraduate and graduate students via guest lectures, teaching activities and graduate student mentorship.

The chair is expected to conduct an integrated and systems-based research and extension program consistent with the mission of the WSU Agricultural Research Centers and WSU Extension, and complement current WSU and United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) programs, such as the WSU Tree Fruit Decision Aid System (DAS), the WSU Agricultural Weather Network (AgWeatherNet), the Center for Precision & Automated Agricultural Systems (CPAAS), the Washington Soil Health Initiative (WaSHI) and the Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources (CSANR).

QUALIFICATIONS
Required:

• Earned Ph.D. in soil science or closely related field at time of application. Applicants whose research complements soil or rhizosphere health in tree fruit systems, including related areas of soil biology, soil ecology, agroecosystems, or sustainable cropping systems, are encouraged to apply.
  
• Scholarly accomplishments in soil and rhizosphere ecology, or related, appropriate to the rank.
  

Additional requirements for Associate rank:

• Must have served at least 6 years in academic, industry or a federal lab after Ph.D.
  
• Must have experience in mentoring and leading funded research programs.
  

Additional requirements for Professor rank:

• Must have served at least 10 years in academic, industry or a federal lab after Ph.D.
  
• Must have experience in mentoring and leading funded research programs.
  
• Must be a recognized leader through national/international accomplishments and awards.
  

Preferred for all ranks:

• Ability to develop and lead a successful and collaborative research and Extension program in soil ecology.
  
• Track record of collaboration with industry to develop solutions to practical production challenges and knowledge gaps.
  
• Strong communication skills, with experience engaging both technical and nontechnical audiences through oral, written, and electronic formats.
  
• Knowledge and experience with current and emerging techniques in soil ecology and soil health research.
  
• Demonstrated record of acquiring extramural competitive funding.
  
• Experience working with in perennial systems, tree fruits and irrigated agriculture systems.
  
• Experience mentoring students or trainees.
  
• Ability to work effectively with individuals and groups of diverse cultures and backgrounds.
  
• Knowledge of Extension model and ability to document impact.
  

Additional Information:

Annual Salary:

Assistant Professor: $100,000 - $120,000
Associate Professor: $110,000 - $130,000
Professor: $120,000 - $150,000

Summer Salary: $22,222.22 - $33,333.33

Total: $122,222.22 - $183,333.33

Salary will be determined based on qualifications and experience. The ranges shown reflect the 9-month faculty base salary. The position may be eligible for up to 2 months' summer salary conditional on successful performance and funding while serving as the endowed chair.

In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate's current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position. Successful candidates typically begin up to mid-point of the salary range.

Benefits: WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation, optional supplemental retirement accounts. For additional information, please review the detailed Summary of Benefits offered by WSU for Faculty and Total Compensation.

Position Sponsorship Eligibility: May be eligible for work visa sponsorship

About Department/College/Area/ Campus - https://css.wsu.edu

Area/College: College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences
Department Name: Crop and Soil Sciences
Location: The successful candidate may develop their lab and primary operations based at either the Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center (IAREC) in the Yakima Valley or the Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center (TFREC) in the Wenatchee Valley, both located in the heart of Washington's tree fruit industry. These centers host WSU faculty and USDA-ARS researchers and are within reach of the WSU Tri-Cities campus and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, offering strong opportunities for collaboration.

Application Instructions: Applicants must upload the following required documents to their online application. Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications and additional requirements.

1) Detailed letter of application addressing the required and preferred qualifications

2) Current curriculum vitae

3) Unofficial transcripts (optional) or list of courses relevant to the position

4) A research and extension statement addressing the vision for the position's role

External candidates, upload all documents in the 'Application Document' section of your application.
Current WSU Employees (internal candidates), before starting your Workday application, please use these instructions to update your education and experience in your worker profile in Workday. Internal candidates, upload all documents in the 'Resume/Cover Letter' section of your application.

Documents may be submitted as one file or separate files. Applicants are encouraged to upload as a PDF, if possible.

For questions about the position contact the search committee chair: Bernardita Sallato, b.sallato@wsu.edu.

Background Check: This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.

Time Type:
Full time

Washington State University encourages all qualified candidates to apply, including members of the military and veterans, and persons with disabilities.

WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

WSU 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.

Notice of Non-Discrimination

In matters of admission, employment, housing or services, or in the educational programs or activities it operates, WSU does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual on the basis of sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, mental disability, sensory disability, use of a trained service animal, age, religion, creed, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, honorably discharged veteran, member of the military, or immigration or citizenship status except as authorized by federal or state law, regulation, or government contract.

Inquiries about the application of federal and state laws and regulations (including inquiries regarding the application of Title IX, ADA/Section 504, and implementing regulations), as well as reports and complaints of discrimination and harassment, can be made verbally or in writing to WSU's Compliance and Civil Rights, the Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights, or both.

More information, resources, and contact information are available here: https://ccr.wsu.edu/notice-of-nondiscrimination/

To apply, visit https://wsu.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/WSU_Jobs/job/Pullman-WA/Endowed-Chair-of-Tree-Fruit-Soil-and-Rhizosphere-Science_R-14770

Washington State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Educator and Employer.







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