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Page Content Find your next job opportunity with the PAA Job Board! We all play a vital role in the success of the potato industry. Find your next job or perfect candidate in a place that specializes in everything potato.
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Open Positions
Open positions are listed starting with most recently posted.
Research Associate I Potato Crop ManagementColorado State University | Center, ColoradoApplication Deadline: October 27, 2025
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Position DetailsPosition SummaryCSU’s San Luis Valley Research Center (SLRVC) near Center, CO, seeks a Research Associate to support Potato Crop Management research program. Support Field and laboratory activities for the soil fertility and agronomic work at SLVRC. Requires combination of field and laboratory skills and knowledge of the analytical methodologies.
Distribution of Work DutiesSupervision: 25% - Supervises non-student hourly employees to collect data in the field and in the laboratory.
- Field data collection includes petiole sampling for nutrient analysis, tuber sampling for evaluation of tuber bulking.
- End of season harvest to determine treatment effect on yield.
Research: 75% - Help in field layout of experimental plots.
- Inputs all data collected into excel spreadsheet, and into SAS statistical program.
- Apply fertilizer, water, and plant/harvest experimental plots on/off station.
Required Qualifications- Bachelor's Degree, OR Associate's degree plus 2 years of professional work experience, OR High School Diploma (or GED) plus four years of professional experience. Degree(s) and/or professional experience with an emphasis in field crop production.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to meet the physical demands of this position that include heavy lifting (50 lb. on a frequent basis; manual dexterity; stooping; kneeling; crouching; and handling.
- Willingness and ability to work in adverse field conditions.
- Basic computer skills and experience with MS Office.
- Must have a valid driver's license or the ability to obtain a driver's license or access to a licensed driver by the employment start date.
- The successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the United States by the start date of the position. The PRC will not provide visa sponsorship for these positions.
- Private applicator pesticide license, or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire.
Preferred Qualifications- Completed BS in a relevant sub-discipline of Agricultural Sciences (e.g. Horticulture, soil and crop sciences, Agricultural Biology or Water sciences).
- Knowledge, understanding and ability to advance SLV production systems impacting Colorado agriculture and the environment.
- Demonstrated experience in research and extension that includes the areas of horticultural production, agroecology and/or regenerative agriculture.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships within the university, engagement with outside cooperators.
Other DetailsPosition Type: Full Time
Salary Range: $40,000-$45,000
Desired Start Date: January 5, 2026
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Saad Hafez Presidential Endowed Chair in Nematology - Research Faculty - Extension SpecialistUniversity of Idaho | Parma, ID
Application Deadline: until filled, applications received October 5, 2025 will receive first consideration
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Position DetailsPosition SummaryThe College of Agricultural and Life Sciences is seeking to hire an Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor with tenure track or tenured status to serve as the Saad Hafez Presidential Endowed Chair for the Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology and Nematology. The purpose of a Presidential Endowed Chair is to provide scholarly and leadership records that enhances their department, their college and the university (65%). This is a distinguished faculty position that represents accomplishment, prestige, leadership and good citizenship on campus and in the profession. The faculty selected must continue to perform as exemplary academicians and excellent colleagues. The faculty member will also contribute to college and university service and leadership (5%). In addition, the Presidential Endowed Chair will provide important outreach (30%) to regional and national stakeholders, including but not limited to agribusiness, commodity groups, producers and policy makers on issues related to nematology in Idaho. Endowment distributions may be used at the discretion of the dean in accordance with current College of Agricultural and Life Sciences policies and procedures for endowed chair positions. Endowed funds will be used to support the presidential endowed chair position and research may include, but is not limited to supporting faculty, students, staff, travel, equipment, and salary enhancements. The chairship will be reviewed for renewal by the dean every five years.
Required Qualifications- Earned Ph.D. in Nematology or an appropriate agricultural discipline with a research emphasis in Nematology.
- Experience and training in fundamental and applied nematology research.
- Experience publishing research-based information.
- Experience working collaboratively with colleagues and clientele.
- Experience providing clientele with information in oral and written venues.
Preferred Qualifications- Experience with specialty or field crops research and extension.
- Experience securing external funds.
- Strong publication record.
- Experience developing and delivering extension programs.
- Experience in training graduate and undergraduate students.
Distribution of Work Duties- Scholarship & Creative Activity - 65%
- Outreach & Extension - 30%
- University Service & Leadership - 5%
- Teaching & Advertising - 0%
Other Details
Position Type: Full Time
Applicants must be able to pass a criminal background check
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Assistant Professor, Tenure-Track | Plant PathologyWashington State University | Pullman, WA
Application Deadline: October 20, 2025
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Position DetailsPosition SummaryThe successful candidate will be part of a dynamic research and extension team comprising WSU and USDA scientists over several academic units based in Pullman and the Research and Extension Centers in Prosser and Mount Vernon, WA. Washington is the second largest producer of processing potatoes in the United States and has substantial table and seed potato production. The successful candidate is expected to participate in transdisciplinary teams, collaborate with faculty at WSU as well as with state, federal, and industry scientists in the region and beyond. Potential research areas may include, but are not limited to, the etiology, ecology, epidemiology, diagnostics, population biology, and management of pathogens relevant to processing, table, and seed potato production in Washington, with a primary focus on fungal, oomycete, and bacterial diseases. The candidate will develop an integrated extension program that engages with diverse stakeholders in the Pacific Northwest potato industry. The successful candidate is expected to acquire competitive grant funding from national, regional, state, and industry sources. Teaching duties include a graduate level course in epidemiology and management of plant diseases and contributions to a team-taught introductory plant pathology course. The person filling this position is expected to serve as an effective mentor to both undergraduate and graduate students, and to serve as major advisor and committee member for students working toward M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to student recruitment and retention, and participate in departmental, university, and professional service activities. The successful applicant will be expected to conduct a program of research and effective engagement consistent with the mission of the
WSU CAHNRS Office of Research. This is an 11-month appointment for the first three years, then a 9-month appointment thereafter. The candidate may supplement their salary for the additional month(s).
Required Qualifications- An earned doctorate in plant pathology or related field at the time of hire.
- Evidence of research productivity commensurate with career level.
- Evidence of effective oral and written communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications- Ability to develop an original research and extension program addressing the biology and management of plant diseases.
- Potential to develop a dynamic, diverse, and innovative teaching program at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
- Ability to advise and mentor graduate and undergraduate students.
- Evidence of obtaining external funding in the form of competitive grants, gifts, and in-kind resources to support research and extension programs.
Other Details
Position Type: Full Time
Position Term: 9 Months
Salary: $72,000 - $77,727 for a 9-month academic appointment with the option of the person in this position supplementing their salary for up to an additional 3 months/year.
Application DetailsThe online application must include: - Cover letter (maximum 2 pages)
- Current curriculum vitae
- Research and extension statement (maximum 2 pages)
- Teaching statement (maximum 1 page)
- The names and contact information for four professional references.
The application should address each of the required and preferred qualifications for the position. Combine all 5 documents into a single PDF file.
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Research Scientist I or II (Nalam)Colorado State University | Fort Collins, CO
Application Deadline: October 15, 2025
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Position DetailsPosition SummaryThe potato breeding program led by Dr. Vamsi Nalam at Colorado State University seeks a research scientist to lead ongoing potato breeding projects. This role involves both leadership and collaborative responsibilities in the field, greenhouse, and lab-based breeding and research activities. The research scientist will contribute to parental selection, crossing, trial design, phenotyping, data analysis, and stakeholder engagement, while also integrating modern tools such as genomic selection, high-throughput phenotyping, and data management platforms. The individual will have a broad range of responsibilities, which may include but are not limited to: - Design, conduct, and manage field, greenhouse, and laboratory experiments to support variety development and evaluation.
- Coordinate and execute crossing blocks, hybridizations, and early-generation selection.
- Collect, analyze, and manage large-scale phenotypic and genotypic data to enable data-driven breeding decisions.
- Support genotyping efforts and the integration of genomic tools (e.g., marker-assisted and genomic selection) into the breeding pipeline.
- Assist with multi-location trials and stakeholder evaluations to assess advanced breeding lines.
- Train and supervise research staff, students, and interns in experimental procedures and data management.
- Contribute to the development of grant proposals, scientific manuscripts, and extension materials.
- Collaborate with CSU faculty, USDA-ARS, CPAC, growers, and industry partners to advance breeding goals.
Required Qualifications- Research Scientist/Scholar I + experience or Ph.D. with postdoctoral experience or equivalent (Research equivalent to Assistant Professor rank)
- Research Scientist/Scholar II + experience or Ph.D. + 3 years postdoctoral experience or equivalent (Research equivalent to Assistant Professor rank)
- Demonstrated experience in field-based plant breeding or genetics research
- Strong organizational and project management skills
- Ability to communicate effectively with varied audiences, including scientists, growers, and industry partners
- Familiarity with modern breeding tools, including statistical analysis, experimental design, and genomics
- Valid driver’s license or ability to secure or access to driver by start date
- The successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. by proposed start date this fall 2025; the hiring department will not provide visa sponsorship for the position.
Preferred Qualifications- Experience with clonally propagated crops, particularly potato
- Experience using genomic data or bioinformatics tools in a breeding context
- Experience with data management platforms (e.g., BreedBase, Medius.re, FieldBook, etc.)
- Prior experience working in public-sector breeding or collaborative research programs
- Strong interest in becoming an independent plant breeder
- Demonstrated success in preparing research reports, grant applications, or peer-reviewed manuscripts
- Experience with stakeholder engagement or on-farm research
- Familiarity with potato production challenges in arid/semi-arid regions
Essential Job Duties
Research - 85% - Designs, conducts, and analyzes field, greenhouse, and laboratory experiments focused on developing potato varieties.
- Works with genotypic and phenotypic datasets, develops and manages crossing blocks, integrates molecular and conventional breeding tools, and coordinates multi-location trials.
- This is done to advance breeding objectives, identify superior genotypes, and contribute to the release of improved potato varieties for Colorado and national stakeholders.
- Contributes to grant and manuscript writing and communication to stakeholders.
Supervision - 15% - Provides guidance and oversight to undergraduate assistants, interns, and temporary staff involved in data collection, plant care, and trial setup.
- Delegates tasks, trains personnel on experimental procedures and data protocols, and ensures work is completed accurately and efficiently.
- This is done to maintain high-quality research outputs, promote learning and professional development, and ensure the smooth operation of breeding activities.
Other Details
Position Type: Full Time In-Person
Salary: $65,000-$66,000 plus comprehensive benefits package
Application Details
Documents Required: - Statement of Research Interests
- Cover Letter
- Resume or CV
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Questions?Contact us at
paajobs@scisoc.org
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