The IR-4 Headquarters team at NC State, 2024 (not all present). Photo by Winstead Photography.
Headquartered at NC State University with regional offices throughout the country, the IR-4 Project team is made up of highly-skilled professionals in a wide variety of fields who all have a common mission: to facilitate regulatory approval of sustainable pest management technology for specialty crops and specialty uses to promote public wellbeing.
View and apply for current openings with the IR-4 Project via the links below. Subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to know about job openings and other announcements.
Headquarters Positions (Location: NC State University)
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- The establishment of research priorities via a biennial stakeholder priority setting workshop.
- Oversee the establishment of the annual research program including development of research protocols, working with Regional Field Coordinators to identify research cooperators.
- Interface with representatives from registrants, trade associations, and regulatory agencies.
- Critically review results of field trials, assess if there is adequate data to support regulatory actions and/or use recommendations.
This position is aligned with the IR-4 Project mission to facilitate regulatory approval of sustainable pest management technology for specialty crops including ornamental crops and other environmental horticulture uses. Reporting to the Associate Director of Regulatory Sciences, the key duties of this position include, but are not limited to:
Ornamental Registration Support Research
Working with the IR-4 Regional Field Coordinators, IR-4 Project Biologists and others, develop a robust ornamental field research program that develops efficacy and/or phytotoxicity data to support the registration of pesticides (bio-based, chemicals or emerging technologies) to answer stakeholder driven priority research projects.
Research Priority Setting
Working with the IR-4 Regional Field Coordinators, IR-4 Project Biologists, IR-4 Operations team and others manage the priority setting process and establish research priorities for the Environmental Horticulture Program. Activities include:
Pesticide company interactions
Routinely meet with representatives from crop protection industry to involve appropriate company products in IR-4 research. Share information on on-going IR-4 Project research activities and solicit updates on the status of registrant technology, including new products in a particular registrant portfolio.
Communication/Outreach Support
Represent IR-4 at various regional, national, and international meetings and conferences regarding IR-4 Environmental Horticulture Program activities to manage pests and provide solutions to stakeholders. This includes commodity meetings and trade conventions. Attend the relevant scientific meeting(s) and participate on relevant committees. Field questions from stakeholders on IR-4 activities with pesticides by serving as resource.
Continued Enhancement of Electronic and Data Systems
Cooperate with the IR-4 Technology Team and others in the design and implementation of appropriate processes and systems to increase efficiency and/or thru-put in the Environmental Horticulture Program including priority setting, research, reporting and sharing of data to support registrations.
To learn more and apply, view the updated job posting. We also updated the job flyer and would appreciate help spreading the word about this exciting position!
Other Positions (Regional and local IR-4 openings, as well as positions with affiliate/collaborating organizations)
Assistant or Associate Professor – Plant Pathology — Florida State University
This is an exciting opportunity to join IR-4’s Southern Region host institution, Florida State University’s Insitute for Food and Agricultural Sciences.
This is a 12-month tenure-accruing position that will be 60% research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station) and 40% Extension (Florida Cooperative Extension Service), located at the North Florida Research and Education Center, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, at the University of Florida.
The incumbent will develop an integrated research and Extension program in plant pathology supporting commercial specialty crop and ornamental production systems. Expertise in plant pathogen diagnosis and disease management is expected. Experience with traditional and molecular techniques for identification of plant pathogens, applied population genetics, and novel disease management strategies is preferred. It is expected that the successful candidate will develop an internationally recognized program while meeting the specific needs of the region. The successful candidate will serve as Director of the Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab at the NFREC and will function as part of a team at NFREC cooperating with horticultural scientists, plant pathologists, entomologists, plant physiologists, plant breeders, and related expertise as needed.
Assistant Professor of Horticultural Weed Science — Washington State University
Join a talented team of IR-4 Western Region research collaborators at Washington State University!
The Department of Crop and Soil Sciences (CSS) within the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resources Sciences (CAHNRS) at Washington State University (WSU) is seeking a motivated and problem-solving researcher, instructor and extension specialist to join a team of scientists and extension experts in multiple disciplines, including plant pathology, horticulture, soil science, entomology, and plant breeding.
The Assistant Professor of Horticultural Weed Science position integrates research, extension, and teaching duties, with the successful candidate expected to develop a nationally recognized program in Integrated Weed Management (IWM) focused on agricultural systems in Northwestern Washington. The incumbent will teach undergraduate courses in ecology and management of weeds in Agricultural and Food Systems (AFS) each year. The research and extension program will emphasize sustainable, integrated weed management strategies, incorporating both chemical and non-chemical control methods to address the weed challenges in horticultural crops. These crops include but are not limited to blueberry, potato, vegetable seed, raspberry, flower bulbs, tree fruit, and greenhouse production. Programs must be responsive to stakeholder needs and align with the missions of WSU NWREC and CAHNRS Office of Research.
Read more about this excellent opportunity in the WSU Mount Vernon Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center’s job flyer, or:
Thanks for considering joining our mission-driven team!
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