Assistant or Associate Professor – Wheat Breeding and Genetics

Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources

Oklahoma State University – Stillwater, Oklahoma

The Department of Plant and Soil Sciences in the Ferguson College of Agriculture at Oklahoma State University seeks a dynamic, forward-thinking plant breeder and geneticist for an 11-month, tenure-track faculty position. This position carries a 100% research assignment. Subject to academic rank, the successful candidate may be considered for the Wheat Genetics Chair in Agriculture carrying a stable multi-million-dollar endowment.

Position Description

This position holds 100% Research responsibilities. 

The successful candidate will lead the OSU wheat breeding program and play a central leadership role in the internationally recognized, multi-disciplinary OSU Wheat Improvement Team (WIT). The primary focus of this position is the development and release of high-yielding and end-use quality focused hard winter wheat and specialty wheat varieties tailored to Oklahoma and the Great Plains. The research program will integrate classical phenotypic breeding methodologies with modern technologies, including genomic selection, marker-assisted breeding, high-throughput phenotyping, crop modeling, and emerging gene-editing and AI-enabled digital breeding technologies to i.) address agronomic priorities such as dual-purpose production systems, changing pest and disease pressures, drought, low soil pH, and late-planted scenarios, and ii.) to strengthen the overall marketing position for Great Plains wheat.

Research and Innovation (100% Assignment)

• Program Leadership: Serve as the lead investigator for the OSU wheat breeding program, managing germplasm development, field and quality testing, and variety releases.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Lead and collaborate closely with the multi-disciplinary Wheat Improvement Team, including molecular geneticists, plant pathologists, entomologists, crop physiologists, systems modelers, and Extension specialists.
• Interinstitutional Collaboration: Develop and execute breeding strategies that capitalize on the complementary strengths of other wheat breeding programs in and outside the U.S. Great Plains.
• Extramural Funding: Secure external competitive funding from federal agencies (e.g., USDA-NIFA, NSF), state commodity groups (e.g., the Oklahoma Wheat Research Foundation), and industry partners to sustain a high-impact research program.
• Field Evaluation: Utilize the university’s network of statewide research stations and affiliated private operator research-grade sites to evaluate and select within breeding nurseries and to collect grain for end-use quality.
• Dissemination: Publish research findings in high-quality, peer-reviewed scientific journals.
• Public Relations: Serve as the lead voice for the OSU wheat improvement program through local, regional, and national media outlets.
• Mentorship: Recruit, advise, and mentor graduate students (M.S. and Ph.D.) and postdoctoral researchers.

Required Qualifications

• A Ph.D. in Plant Breeding, Genetics, Agronomy, Crop Science, or a closely related biological field.
• Documented expertise in field-based plant breeding and genetics.
• Demonstrated ability or strong potential to secure extramural funding and publish peer-reviewed research.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to lead collaborative, transdisciplinary research teams, and to represent the science and art of Oklahoma wheat improvement to the consumer public.

Preferred Qualifications

• Postdoctoral or industry experience in a major crop breeding program (experience with polyploid or small grain crops like winter wheat is highly advantageous).
• Practical experience integrating genomic selection, high-throughput phenotyping, or digital agriculture tools into an active breeding pipeline.
• Familiarity with dual-purpose (grazing plus grain) management systems typical of the Southern Great Plains.
• Experience interacting with agricultural producers, commodity groups, and industry stakeholders.

What to Know About OSU’s Wheat Breeding Program

• Continuously operating wheat breeding program since the 1940s.
• Functional and impactful wheat improvement team since 1998.
• Origin of Oklahoma’s most widely planted wheat variety each year since 2010.
• Mere minutes’ walk from Ag Hall to a soon-to-be completely revitalized field laboratory and greenhouse complex.
• Long-term vibrant relationship with multiple milling entities – large and small -- across the U.S.
• Historically balanced emphasis on genetic gains in productivity and functional quality.
• In addition to grants and contracts, a firm financial foundation resting on commodity support, publicly generated endowment funds, and program-generating IP income.

Employment Conditions

This position is an 11-month, tenure track faculty position. It will be filled by March 2027, or as soon thereafter as an acceptable applicant is available. Salary is competitive and based on qualifications and experience. This is a benefits-eligible position.

About the Department

The Department of Plant and Soil Sciences includes a group of 22 faculty along with support staff, post-docs, and graduate and undergraduate students who are dedicated to the Land Grant mission through research, teaching, and extension. Our faculty pride themselves on collegiality and are focused on ensuring the success of our students, faculty, and stakeholders. More information can be found on our website www.pss.okstate.edu, Twitter: @OSUplantsoilsci or Facebook: @osu.pass.

Application

Formal applications are via electronic submission at https://jobs.okstate.edu.

To apply, candidates should submit: (a) a letter of application that includes qualifications, associated research and teaching activities, and statement of research interest; (b) curriculum vitae; (c) official academic transcripts from their degree granting institutions; (d) names and contact information of three professional references.

Questions can be directed to the search committee chair Dr. Liuling Yan (liuling.yan@okstate.edu) or Dr. Wade Thomason, PSS Department Head (wade.thomason@okstate.edu, or 405.744.6426).

Review of applications will begin January 12, 2027. Review of applications will continue until suitable candidates are selected.

To learn more about OSU Agriculture and Stillwater, visit these websites.

• https://agriculture.okstate.edu
• https://agresearch.okstate.edu
• https://extension.okstate.edu
• https://www.okstate.edu
• https://www.visitstillwater.org
• https://www.stillwaterchamber.org