Assistant Professor – Sweetpotato Breeding and Genetics

Posting Number:

PG194714EP

Internal Recruitment :

No

Working Title:

Assistant Professor – Sweetpotato Breeding and Genetics

Anticipated Hiring Range:

Commensurate with experience and credentials.

Work Schedule:

Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5 pm

Job Location:

Raleigh, NC

Department :

Horticultural Science

About the Department:

People depend on plants for food, environmental aesthetics and recreation. No matter where you live, work or play, what we do touches your life. Our faculty and students conduct cutting-edge research that increases the quality and variety of fruits, vegetables and ornamental plants available to consumers worldwide. We are experts in the science, art, technology and business of growing plants. And the demand for our services is growing. Whether through hands-on instruction in our greenhouses, field labs or community gardens, our work ensures the economic and environmental sustainability for horticulture across the state, the nation and the world.

Wolfpack Perks and Benefits:

As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.
What we offer:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Flexible Spending Account
• Retirement Programs
• Disability Plans
• Life Insurance
• Accident Plan
• Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs
• 12 Holidays Each Year
• Tuition and Academic Assistance
• And so much more!
  
  

Attain Work-life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership, and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.

Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.

Essential Job Duties:

NC State University is seeking an Assistant Professor to lead a nationally recognized and internationally renowned sweetpotato breeding and genetics program with a long history of scientific innovation, variety development, and industry impact. In this role, you will provide leadership for applied and fundamental plant breeding research, advancing genomic-assisted breeding, high-throughput phenomics including UAV and optical imaging, and the application of data analytics, machine learning, Artificial Intelligence, and other emerging technologies to accelerate germplasm improvement and the development of the next generation of sweetpotato cultivars. Working alongside faculty, students, growers, and industry partners, you will have the opportunity to translate discovery into practice, helping address agricultural challenges while supporting food production, environmental stewardship, and economic development in North Carolina and beyond.
This position provides opportunities to contribute across five key areas of responsibility outlined below.
Research Leadership:

• Lead research programs in breeding, genetics, and emerging technologies, including genomic-assisted breeding, genome editing, data analytics, machine learning, Artificial Intelligence, and other innovative approaches that maximize and accelerate variety and germplasm development.
• Develop, register, patent and promote commercially successful tablestock, industrial and ornamental sweetpotato cultivars with commercial potential, including enhanced adaptability, disease/pest resistance, sustainability, lower input requirements, end-use quality, using both conventional and advanced breeding technologies.
• Oversee germplasm collection, evaluation and screening, genomic and phenomic characterization, and management/maintenance of germplasm resources to advance and support breeding objectives.
• Collaborate with local, national and international scientists in plant and sweetpotato breeding and crop improvement.
  
  

Program Management:

• Secure extramural funding through grants, industry partnerships, and public-private collaborations.
• Lead a multidisciplinary team of scientific collaborators, staff, graduate students, and interns.
• Manage budgets, facilities, and resources to ensure efficient and effective program operations.
  
  

Teaching and Mentorship:

• Provide graduate and undergraduate training in plant breeding, genetics, and horticultural science including teaching.
• Mentor and advise graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and interns to develop future leaders in plant breeding and genetics.
  
  

Extension and Outreach:

• Collaborate with industry stakeholders to translate research into commercial products and practices.
• Engage with growers and allied industries with education programs to facilitate adoption of improved crops and technologies.
• Present research and contribute to professional meetings.
  
  

Service in Professional Societies, Industry, and within the University:

• Contribute to the programs and governance of the department, college, and university.
• Provide service and support for professional societies and other organizations outside the University as appropriate.
  
  

If you are committed to excellence in research, teaching, and extension and motivated to lead a nationally recognized and internationally renowned sweetpotato breeding program focused on the development of improved cultivars, future scientists, and innovative solutions for agriculture, we encourage you to apply.

Minimum Education and Experience:

Ph.D. in Horticultural Science, Plant Breeding, Genetics, or a closely related field.

Other Required Qualifications:

• Experience with specialty crop improvement and new product development, particularly with asexually propagated polyploid crops.
• Evidence of scholarly engagement in plant breeding and genetics, such as peer-reviewed publications, submitted manuscripts, dissertations, conference presentations, or other recognized research outputs.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in communicating research through peer-reviewed publications, presentations, teaching, extension activities, or stakeholder engagement.
• Proven ability to apply data analytics, machine learning, Artificial Intelligence and other emerging technologies to maximize and accelerate variety and germplasm development.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Contribution to cultivar development and improvement, including participation in variety release, commercialization, patenting, or licensing activities.
• Knowledge of advanced plant breeding and biotechnology tools, demonstrated through research, training, or application of genomics, gene editing, plant transformation, and/or tissue culture methods.
• Collaboration with industry partners or participation in applied research and/or technology transfer projects.
• Mentoring or advising undergraduate and/or graduate students in research or academic settings.
• Exposure to intellectual property management and/or involvement in variety development and release processes

Required License(s) or Certification(s):

A valid driver’s license is required for travel. NC driver’s license is required within 60 days of hire and must be maintained.

Valid NC Driver's License required:

Yes

Commercial Driver's License required:

No

Job Open Date:

06/22/2026

Anticipated Close Date:

7/20/2026; review by search committee will begin. If posting is active, we are still accepting and reviewing applications.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Please include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, statement of research accomplishments and interest, teaching philosophy, and the names, e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers of at least three professional references.

Position Number:

00112127

Position Type:

Tenured/Tenure-Track Faculty

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week):

1.0

Appointment:

9 Month Recurring

Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather:

Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather

Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events:

Non Mandatory - Emergency Event

Department ID:

111501 - Horticultural Science

EEO:

NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.

If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.

NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.