Assistant Professor, Tenure-track - Plant Pathology (Vegetable Pathology)

Faculty Position Available In: Plant Pathology (Vegetable Pathology)

School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University

Academic Year Appointment (9-month)

Position:Assistant Professor, Tenure-track.

Location:Ithaca, NY or Cornell AgriTech, Geneva, NY. The academic home is within the School of Integrative Plant Science (SIPS) in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University.

The School of Integrative Plant Science (SIPS) in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at Cornell University invites applications for a full-time tenure-track position in Vegetable Plant Pathology at the Assistant Professor level.

The CALS Roadmap to 2050 spearheads the "solutions century" by collaborating across the university, our network of partners, and diverse communities to coalesce around the world's leading challenges. We connect across all of New York and the world to enliven our innovation ecosystem, connecting local to global programs in the form of new collaborations and basic discoveries.

The production of specialty vegetable crops in New York is challenged by a myriad of factors, including diseases that substantially reduce yield and quality of crops and deleteriously affect the livelihoods of New York farmers. Effective disease management is required for the high-quality production of vegetables crops. We are seeking a candidate who will develop an externally funded, innovative, research and extension program in plant pathology and plant-microbe biology, with a focus on vegetable diseases in New York, including those of potato. The successful candidate will apply cutting-edge tools and techniques, including data science, artificial intelligence and/or bioinformatics, towards understanding the biology and management of plant pathogens that cause diseases. Research may include pathogen and population biology, phylogenomics, precision agriculture, disease resistance, and innovative approaches to disease management. The candidate is expected to translate basic discoveries into applications with the goal of improving the management of vegetable diseases. The candidate will be expected to collaborate with members of other disciplines in SIPS, as well as within and outside of CALS and Cornell, to develop integrated strategies to reduce crop loss from diseases. The candidate will also contribute to the missions of CALS to foster sustainable agricultural practices in specialty vegetable crops. The successful candidate is expected to develop and implement an externally funded research program that complements research and extension activities conducted by others in SIPS, and more broadly across CALS. This includes securing funding from sources that include federal agencies, foundations, the private sector, and agricultural interest groups.

The candidate will also have a strong commitment to advising and inclusive mentoring of students. Candidates are also expected to engage in service and leadership activities within the school, the college and university, and relevant professional societies.

Responsibilities:

This position has an effort split of 60% research and 40% extension.

Research (60%): An outstanding scholarship in plant pathogens and diseases affecting vegetables, including potatoes, is expected. The candidate will develop an internationally recognized, well-funded, program in vegetable pathology that includes excellence in both fundamental and applied research leading to innovative solutions to important diseases in vegetable crops. Excellence in and commitment to the development of multidisciplinary team-based research and training programs is essential.

Extension (40%): It is critical that the candidate connects with stakeholders across New York through applied research and dissemination of information using diverse platforms and media. Partnerships with stakeholders including vegetable growers, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Cornell Integrated Pest Management, and policy makers are expected.

Affiliation: The candidate will be a tenure-line faculty member within CALS with the option to join any of the five sections (Plant Biology, Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology, Plant Breeding and Genetics, Soil and Crop Sciences, or Horticulture) that comprise SIPS. The successful candidate may be physically located at either the Cornell University's Ithaca campus or the AgriTech campus in Geneva, NY. Both locations are preeminent centers for agriculture and food research that deliver practical solutions to help farmers and businesses thrive. A mentoring program will support the personal and professional development of the new faculty member, providing advocacy, guidance, and assistance.

Qualifications: The successful candidate will have a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology with a working understanding of plant disease management. A commitment to research and extension in SIPS and to the development of multidisciplinary, collegial, team-based research and extension programs is essential. Well-qualified applicants are expected to have a demonstrated record of publication excellence. Preferred qualifications include postdoctoral experience, the ability to work as part of a team, and the skills needed to communicate effectively with students, colleagues, farmers, and broader audiences.

Applications and Starting Date: The anticipated starting date July 1, 2026, or as negotiated. Qualified applicants should submit their application as a single PDF file including: 1) a cover letter briefly summarizing background, qualifications, and interest in the position; 2) a curriculum vitae; 3) a research statement highlighting relevant experience, and outlining interests and vision for the position (2 page maximum); 4) an extension statement highlighting relevant experience, and outlining interests, and vision/goals (2 page maximum); 5) copies of four relevant publications (one of these being extension focused with details of their intended audience); and 6) names and contact information of four references (letters will be requested after the applications are reviewed; one of which can comment on your extension experience). Materials should be submitted online to: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/30271. Applications received by September 25, 2025, will be given full consideration. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

This is an in-person position. The successful candidate will be expected to relocate to within commuting distance of Geneva/Ithaca, NY. Relocation assistance may be provided. Finalists for this position will be asked to sign an affidavit that they have not been found to have violated employer policies at their previous institutions.

Inquiries may be directed to:
Search chair: Associate Professor Sarah Pethybridge
School of Integrative Plant Science
Cornell University
Geneva, NY 14456
Email: sjp277@cornell.edu

In compliance with New York's Pay Transparency Law, the annual base salary range for this assistant professor position is $90,000 - $135,000. This pay range represents base pay (for 9 months). Cornell University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Cornell University seeks to meet the needs of dual career couples, has a Dual Career program, and is a member of the Upstate New York Higher Education Recruitment Consortium to assist with dual career searches including positions available in higher education in the upstate New York area.

The new faculty member will join a collaborative, interdisciplinary community on the main campus in Ithaca, New York. Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League and Land-grant university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students, and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery, and engagement.

Cornell's regional and global presence includes state-wide Cornell Cooperative Extension programs and offices in all counties and boroughs, global partnerships with institutions and communities engaged in life-changing research and education, the medical college's campuses on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and Doha, Qatar, and the Cornell Tech campus on Roosevelt Island in the heart of New York City.

With a founding principle of "...any person...any study,"Cornell is anequal opportunity employer.

Pay Range:

Pay Ranges:

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience.

• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position.

• Academic Discipline

• Unique applicable skills.

Employment Assistance:

For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email mycareer@cornell.edu.

If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell University's Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX at voice (607) 255-2242, or email at accommodations@cornell.edu.

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also request an appointment to use a dedicated workstation in the Office of Talent Attraction and Recruitment, at the Ithaca campus, by emailing mycareer@cornell.edu.

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EEO Statement:

Cornellwelcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of "... any person ... any study." No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual's genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

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