Department Contact: Erik Lenhoff, 575-646-2328, lehnhoff@nmsu.edu

Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants

Advertising Summary: New Mexico State University’s Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) seeks a 12-month Associate Professor or Professor faculty member to be stationed at the Clovis Agricultural Science Center located in Clovis, New Mexico.

Position Details

Position Title: Associate/Professor of Weed Science

College/Division: Agricultural Experiment Station

Department: 317600-AG SCIENCE CTR AT CLOVIS

Location: NMSU satellite location

Offsite Location (if applicable): Agricultural Science Center at Clovis

Target Hourly/Salary Rate: Commensurate with qualifications

Appointment Full-time Equivalency: 1.0

FLSA Status: Exempt

Bargaining Unit Announcement: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Contingent Upon Funding: Not Applicable

Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)

If Not a Standard Work Schedule: 

Job Duties and Responsibilities: FACULTY ROLE
New Mexico State University’s Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) seeks a 12-month Associate/Professor faculty member to be stationed at the Clovis Agricultural Science Center located in Clovis, New Mexico. The successful candidate will develop an innovative, applied research program in weed science, agronomy, or a closely related discipline as it relates to integrated pest management in the semi-arid west. The successful candidate will be expected to devote 90% of their effort towards research, and 10% towards teaching. Faculty members appointed as Research Coordinator will have a portion of their research effort reassigned to administrative responsibilities.
The successful candidate will develop a creative, collaborative, extramurally funded research program. Research areas could include but are not limited to weed management within drought-tolerant cropping systems, agronomic practices, water utilization, dryland and irrigated systems, and rangeland invasive species management. The cropping systems in the eastern high plains of New Mexico include wheat, sorghum, canola, forages, and peanuts. Connections with the impacts of crop rotation, alternative crops, dairy management, soil-plant-water relations, precision irrigation methods, soil/water conservation, and interactions of nutrients and/or contaminants within a research program would be of interest.
LEADERSHIP ROLE
The position may include an opportunity to serve in a three-year renewable leadership appointment as Research Coordinator of the Clovis Agricultural Science Center. The appointment is made by the Director of AES for a three-year term and may be renewed indefinitely following periodic review. The appointment is administrative in nature and may be modified or discontinued at any time at the discretion of the Director of AES.
The Research Coordinator serves as the primary point of coordination for research activities at the Science Center. This includes facilitating research conducted by resident faculty and visiting faculty (main campus or other locations). The Coordinator works closely with faculty, staff, and the farm manager to ensure that Center space is appropriately allocated and efficiently utilized. This includes planning for seasonal field availability, resolving scheduling conflicts, and helping to ensure that research projects can be successfully implemented.
FACULTY ROLE
AES seeks an individual who can work collaboratively with faculty across departments and colleges. The candidate will be expected to foster collaborations and participate in activities and research teams that support the work of the Center of Excellence in Food and Sustainable Agriculture (CESFAS) as well as the Cooperative Extension Service (CES).
The applicant will be expected to contribute to graduate education through recruitment, support, and mentorship of graduate students, serving on graduate committees, and engagement in disciplinary graduate programs. Teaching responsibilities may include online courses in their home department.
The successful candidate is expected to develop and maintain a nationally recognized program of scholarly activity that contributes to the scientific understanding and practical application of weed science, agronomy, and integrated pest management in semi-arid ag systems. Research findings should be disseminated through publications (e.g., peer-reviewed journals, technical reports, etc.) and presentations at regional, national, and international scientific meetings. The candidate is expected to maintain a consistent record of scholarly productivity and to contribute to the visibility and reputation of NMSU through high-quality scientific outputs. The candidate will be expected to develop a sustainable, externally funded research program that addresses critical challenges facing agriculture and natural resource management in eastern New Mexico and the semi-arid western US. The candidate should actively pursue competitive grant opportunities from diverse sources and participate in collaborative, interdisciplinary research initiatives. The candidate should demonstrate the ability to develop partnerships that enhance the impact, scope, and long-term sustainability of their research program.
The successful candidate is expected to engage stakeholders through effective communication and outreach activities that translate research findings into practical applications. The candidate should work collaboratively with AES scientists, CES personnel, agricultural producers, commodity organizations, industry, and natural resource managers to identify emerging research needs and communicate research outcomes. Outreach activities may include field days, workshops, producer meetings, extension publications, presentations, and engagement with agricultural and community organizations. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the mission of NMSU by developing research programs that address stakeholder priorities and improve agricultural sustainability, profitability, and resilience.
The candidate is expected to participate in departmental, college, and university service activities commensurate with rank that support the mission of AES, the College of ACES, and NMSU. Service responsibilities may include participation on committees, professional societies, advisory groups, etc.
LEADERSHIP ROLE
In collaboration with the farm manager, the Research Coordinator is responsible for helping ensure the smooth and effective day-to-day operation of the Science Center. Together, they work to maintain a productive and engaged environment by encouraging regular faculty and staff presence at the Center, ensuring personnel are informed about research activities and outreach efforts, and promoting participation in Center-based initiatives. The Coordinator plays an important role in fostering a collaborative culture that supports both research excellence and effective outreach and plays a key role in strengthening relationships with external stakeholders (e.g., farmers, ranchers, commodity and industry groups). The Coordinator helps ensure that research at the Center is responsive to stakeholder needs by maintaining active communication and engagement. This requires the ability to effectively communicate with a broad and diverse audience.
The Coordinator leads or facilitates outreach and engagement activities at the Center. These include organizing field days, demonstrations, workshops, and tours that highlight ongoing research and its applications. The Coordinator supports educational outreach efforts (e.g., hosting school groups, youth organizations) to promote awareness of the Center, AES, and ACES.
The Coordinator provides leadership in strategic planning and development of research priorities at the Center. This includes identifying opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, facilitating partnerships among AES faculty, CES personnel, government agencies, commodity groups, and industry partners, and assisting with the development of initiatives that enhance the visibility and impact of the Center. The Coordinator may represent the Center at university, stakeholder, and professional meetings and provide recommendations to the Director of AES regarding facility needs, infrastructure investments, and long-term research priorities.
The Coordinator is expected to foster an environment that supports scholarly excellence, successful grant development, and effective stakeholder engagement. The Coordinator works with resident and affiliated faculty to identify opportunities for collaborative grant proposals, shared use of facilities and equipment, and coordinated outreach activities that enhance the overall effectiveness of the Center. The Coordinator assists the Director of AES in communicating Center accomplishments, identifying emerging research opportunities, and supporting strategic planning efforts that advance the mission of the Center.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience: 
Required qualifications for this position: a Ph.D. in Weed Science, Agronomy, or a related plant science field; post-graduate experience in conducting field research; and a proven record of publishing results in peer-reviewed journals. To be considered for the rank of Professor, candidates must demonstrate a distinguished record of scholarly achievement, sustained success in securing extramural funding, a national or international reputation in their discipline, evidence of successful graduate student mentoring, and demonstrated leadership in collaborative research programs and professional service.

Candidates must have a strong background in weed science, agronomy, or a related field and should bring complementary expertise that enhances existing departmental strengths. Preferred areas of expertise may include advanced ecological methods, digital agriculture, data science, artificial intelligence, modeling, remote sensing, precision agriculture technologies, or innovative approaches for investigating weed ecology, invasive species dynamics, and crop management systems.

Applicants must have strong communication skills, a commitment to leadership, and a demonstrated ability to conduct both independent and collaborative research. The successful candidate will be expected to pursue competitive grant funding and to meet the minimum qualifications for an NMSU graduate faculty appointment.

Equivalent Qualifications: 

Preferred Qualifications: 

Special Certification/Licensure: 

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment: Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.

Physical Effort: No or very limited physical effort required.

Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 10 pounds or some standing or walking.

Risk: No or very limited exposure to physical risk.