Job Opportunities

The College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resources Sciences (CAHNRS) through the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences (CSS) seeks a current or emerging leader in soil and rhizosphere ecology to serve as a core member of our tree fruit research and extension team, contributing to an expanding college focus on soil-plant interactions. The endowed chair will build an internationally renowned, soil- and rhizosphere-focused research program that enhances the competitiveness of the Washington apple, cherry, pear and stone fruit industries. This position is supported by a $1.5 million endowment made possible by a historic $32 million investment from the state’s tree fruit growers to support tree fruit research and extension at Washington State University. Washington State is recognized globally as a premier tree fruit production region, with more than 230,000 acres of tree fruits statewide providing an annual economic impact of more than $7.5 billion. Nearly a third of the state’s fruit production is exported to markets worldwide. Washington State University has multiple research centers and extension offices in every county with two research and Extension centers located in the heart of Washington Tree Fruit production. The Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center (IAREC) is situated in the Yakima valley in south-central Washington, serving one of the most agriculturally diverse regions in the U.S. IAREC has faculty members from six academic departments from the WSU College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS), USDA-ARS and Washington State Department of Agriculture. The Research and Extension Center in Prosser is located forty minutes away from WSU TriCities and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, enabling impactful interdisciplinary research programing, and a thriving diverse community. The Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center (TFREC) in North central Washington primarily serves tree fruit industry needs for research and extension with ten faculty from six departments. Located in beautiful Wenatchee, WA at the confluence of the Wenatchee and Columbia rivers, TFREC is in close proximity to the Cascade mountains as well as prime pear, apple and cherry growing regions. Either site could be selected as the candidate’s home location. The Endowed Chair in Tree Fruit Soil and Rhizosphere Ecology reports to the Chair of the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences and the Center Director.

Online applications must be received before 11:59pm on: July 24, 2025.