Assistant Professor of Nematology

About the role

The Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology, and Weed Science seeks to hire a tenure-track Assistant Professor (9-month, 1.0 FTE) whose appointment will be 85% research and 15% teaching. The successful candidate will develop an innovative, fundamental, and applied research program in nematology related to integrated pest management in the semi-arid west and teach courses needed by the Department and the College for student training.

Responsibilities

• Develop a creative, collaborative, extramurally funded research program focused on plant-parasitic nematode interactions across New Mexico’s agricultural to urban ecosystems.
• Teach Nematology and potentially develop new courses (e.g., Soil Ecology) and supervise graduate students.
• Work collaboratively with faculty across academic departments and colleges.

Research areas of interest

• Sustainable management of plant-parasitic nematodes impacting agricultural crops (e.g., root-knot nematodes, stem nematodes) and recreational areas (e.g., turfgrass systems).
• Nematodes as components of sustainable agriculture, including biological control agents and roles in nutrient cycling.
• Community ecology of nematodes, including ecology and function of plant-associated and free-living nematodes in dryland soils.
• Biology of soil nematodes, including nematode–plant interactions and responses to variable abiotic factors.
• Investigation of morphological and functional diversity of soil nematodes, their pathogenicity, and biological-control properties.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Nematology, Plant Pathology, or a related biological science; degree must be in hand by the date of hire.
• Strong background and experience in nematology.
• Novel skill set such as behavioral/chemical ecological tools, modeling/AI approaches, or other innovative methods to investigate nematode interactions.
• Good communication skills and a strong commitment to teaching and to independent and collaborative research.
• Ability to pursue competitive grant funding and meet minimum qualifications for NMSU graduate faculty appointment.

Preferred qualifications

• Postdoctoral experience.