Assistant Professor - Fruit Crop Entomology

The Department of Entomology at the University of Wisconsin - Madison is seeking to fill a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Extension Fruit Crop Entomology to provide leadership in developing outreach and research to address the needs of stakeholders and improve management of Wisconsin's fruit crops (i.e., apple, cranberry, grape, small fruits/berries). Wisconsin's fruit crops contribute significantly to the state's economy. Cranberry is the largest of the fruit-crop industries, with nearly $1 billion in annual economic activity and over 4K jobs statewide. Given that Wisconsin is an agriculturally and ecologically diverse state, an integrative approach to Extension and applied research is needed in this position, including the integrated pest management of fruit crop entomological pests as well as the development of novel and innovative approaches in pest suppression.

A successful candidate will be expected to develop and lead a regionally and nationally recognized Extension program supported by a strong applied-research program in the area of sustainable, fruit crop management emphasizing integrated pest management of pest species. The candidate will conduct applied and basic research that will inform crop and pest management recommendations and support fruit Extension and educational needs throughout the state. Outcomes of these efforts are intended to build resiliency and overall sustainability of fruit crop production and surrounding agroecosystems.

Recommendations will be conveyed through extension and outreach avenues such as websites, social media, field days, grower meetings, and the Wisconsin Fruit newsletter. This person will be part of the existing University of Wisconsin commercial fruit Extension team, which includes a horticulturist, plant pathologist, and weed scientist. This specialization will also lend support to Extension colleagues assigned to other commodities.

We are especially interested in candidates whose applied research interests can provide a scientific understanding of the main entomological factors influencing fruit crop production and pest management in Wisconsin. We encourage applicants with backgrounds working on the fundamental biology of arthropod pests in related fruit crop systems. This faculty position carries a commitment to research, extension education and outreach, as well as professional and university service as appropriate to faculty rank.

This position is part of UW-Madison's Excellence in Mentoring Initiative. The Excellence in Mentoring Initiative aims to recruit outstanding faculty who, in addition to their demonstrated excellence or strong potential in research and teaching, have demonstrated the ability and commitment to mentor at-risk, first-generation, or under-represented undergraduate or graduate students to achieve academic success. Candidates who may not qualify for the EIM should still apply and will be given full consideration.

https://facstaff.provost.wisc.edu/faculty-hiring-and-retention-resources/#excellence-in-mentoring-initiative

• Develop an ongoing, independent, regionally and nationally recognized Extension program supported by a strong research program in the area of sustainable fruit crop management. The successful candidate will be expected to secure extramural funding. CALS Extension-funded faculty are expected to generate, translate, and apply research-based knowledge and methods to issues and problems by integrating research and educational activities into a coherent body of work. CALS Extension-funded faculty are expected to provide leadership in the design, development, and implementation of educational programs and to document the impact of these efforts.

• Provide mentorship and instruction

• Contribute to service functions of the department, college, and campus communities.

College of Agricultural and Life Sciences/Entomology

Negotiable - 12 months/Ongoing

Successful candidates will have a record of or demonstrate potential for:

• Developing and maintaining strong stakeholder relationships through Extension and outreach programming

• Devising integrated pest management solutions for key pests

• Producing publications in peer-reviewed journals

• Graduate student training and mentoring

• Writing extramural grants

• Contributing to the community and service functions of the department, the Division of Extension and CALS

• Promoting an inclusive and diverse climate within our campus and associated communities

Required - PhD in Entomology or a related field

Applicants should upload the following information as a single PDF document with information in the following order:

• Cover letter

• Curriculum vitae

• Name and contact information for three references

• Two-page statement of research interests and future research plans

• Two-page statement of Extension and mentorship interest

• Copies of two (2) current papers relevant to this position

Russell L. Groves

rgroves@wisc.edu

(608) 262-3229 (office), (608) 698-2443 (mobile)

Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1 See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.

Additional Information:

Applicants can find relevant information about the Department of Entomology at https://entomology.wisc.edu and any questions regarding the position, may be directed to the position search committee chair, Dr. Russell Groves rgroves@wisc.edu. Applications are encouraged from all potentially qualified individuals. Options to start on or after July 1, 2026.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is one of the world's premier research universities and attracts a diverse body of outstanding faculty, staff, and graduate students from around the world. State-of-the-art research and teaching facilities are provided both in Madison and at multiple agricultural research stations throughout the state. The 963-acre campus is located on the shores of Lake Mendota in Madison, Wisconsin. Madison is a picturesque city with a strong economy and a vibrant cultural environment and is consistently ranked among the top small U.S. cities in which to live.

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.

To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.