Position Description
Faculty Position Available:
Field Crops Entomologist
Department of Entomology, Cornell University
Position: Assistant Professor, Tenure-track.
Location: Ithaca, NY, USA. The academic home for this position is the Department of Entomology in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, housed on the Ithaca campus of Cornell University.
The Department of Entomology at Cornell University is seeking applications for a 9-month, full-time, tenure-track position in the area of Field Crops Entomology. The successful candidate will develop an internationally recognized research and extension program focused on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) of grain and forage crops, including corn (>1 million acres in New York State), alfalfa hay (500,000 acres), soybeans (350,000 acres), wheat (150,000 acres), other small grains, and hemp. We seek a highly collaborative scientist who will build trust and communicate effectively with field crop farmers and other stakeholders and will interact extensively with colleagues at Cornell to achieve its Land Grant mission. In this position, research will focus on novel practices that use biological, chemical, physical, and/or cultural control methods to manage important insect pests affecting field crop growers. Research should combine insights from field trials with other approaches, potentially ranging from lab-based analyses to modeling to landscape-scale observational studies, to devise pest management strategies that enhance productivity while minimizing environmental impacts. Extension will focus on developing an impactful program that addresses the needs of industry stakeholders and promotes the adoption of sustainable practices that will reduce pest risks and improve the profitability and long-term sustainability of field crops in New York State. The candidate is expected to work closely with industry and state partners (i.e. NY Corn and Soybean Grower Association, NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets) to understand and prioritize stakeholder needs.
Outstanding research scholarship is expected, as is excellence in and commitment to extension, translation of knowledge, and advising and inclusive mentoring of students. We seek colleagues with a record demonstrating success and promise across these areas, and who will be supported by and contribute to a vibrant culture of inclusive excellence at Cornell University. As such, candidates are expected to engage in service and leadership activities within the department, the college, the university, and relevant professional societies.
Responsibilities:
This position has an effort split of 60% research and 40% extension.
Research (60%) – Outstanding research scholarship is expected, as the successful candidate will lead an internationally recognized research program that develops and tests IPM approaches rigorously and systematically for insect pests of field crops. The successful candidate is expected to maintain an externally funded research program. Excellence in and commitment to the development of research and training programs is essential. Candidates are expected to advise students and provide service within the department, college and university, and relevant professional societies.
Extension (40%) – A key component of this position is building trust and communicating effectively with field crops farmers and other stakeholders. The successful candidate will interact with stakeholders and translate research results using traditional and novel communication methods, including digital media. The successful candidate will also interact extensively with colleagues in the Cornell IPM program, AgriTech campus, Cornell Cooperative Extension, and faculty across CALS, such as the Animal Science and SIPS programs, and will contribute to the annually updated Cornell Guide for Integrated Field Crop Management. Documenting the impact that the successful candidate’s extension program will have on New York’s field crops industry will be required.
Department Affiliation: The successful candidate will be a tenure-line faculty member of the Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and will be based in the Department of Entomology in Ithaca.
Qualifications: A Ph.D. in Entomology, Agricultural Sciences, or a related field, with an understanding of field crop systems and experience working with diverse stakeholders are required. Demonstrated capability in developing research and extension programs is preferred.
Applications and Starting Date: The anticipated starting date is July 1, 2026 or as negotiated. Qualified applicants should submit 1) a cover letter briefly summarizing background, qualifications, and interest in the position, 2) a Curriculum Vitae, 3) a research statement outlining experience, interests, and goals, 4) an extension statement outlining experience, interests, and goals, 5) copies of three relevant publications, and 6) names and contact information for three references. Materials should be submitted online to:
https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/30498. Applications received by
November 16, 2025 will be given full consideration. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
This is an in-person position. The successful candidate will be expected to relocate within commuting distance of Ithaca, NY. Relocation assistance may be provided. Finalists for this position will be asked to sign an affidavit that they have not been found to have violated employer policies at their previous institutions.
Inquiries may be directed to:
Professor Katja Poveda, Search Chair
Department of Entomology
In compliance with New York's Pay Transparency Law, the annual base salary range for this assistant professor position is $90,000 - $135,000. This pay range represents base pay (for 9 months). Cornell University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.
Cornell
University seeks to meet the needs of dual career couples, has a Dual Career
program, and is a member of the Upstate New
York Higher Education Recruitment Consortium to assist with dual career searches including positions available in higher
education in the upstate New York area.
The new
faculty member will join a collaborative, interdisciplinary community on the
main campus in Ithaca, New York. Cornell
University is an innovative Ivy League and Land-grant
university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars,
students, and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose and contribute
creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery, and
engagement.
Cornell’s
regional and global presence includes state-wide Cornell Cooperative Extension
programs and offices in all counties and boroughs, global partnerships with
institutions and communities engaged in life-changing research and education,
the medical college’s campuses on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and Doha,
Qatar, and the Cornell Tech campus on Roosevelt Island in the heart of New York
City.
With a founding principle of “…any
person…any study,” Cornell is an equal opportunity employer.
Employment Assistance:
For specific questions about the position or application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or for general questions email mycareer@cornell.edu.
If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell Office of Civil Rights at voice (607) 255-2242, or email at accommodations@cornell.edu.
Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor.
Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by clicking here. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.
EEO Statement:
Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “... any person ... any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRRA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.
Pay Ranges:
The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:
- Prior relevant work or industry experience.
- Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position.
- Academic Discipline (faculty pay ranges reflects 9-month annual salary)
- Unique applicable skills.
* (posted 2025/09/04, listed until 2025/11/16)