The Rodale Institute, founded by organic agriculture pioneer J.I. Rodale, is a non-profit organization dedicated to regenerative organic agriculture research and outreach to farmers, policymakers, and the general public. The Institute is based on a 333-acre farm in Kutztown, PA. Research is centered on the Farming Systems Trial®, founded in 1981, an on going comparison of organic versus conventional farming. Additional on-site projects include weed and fertility management in standard till and no-till organic vegetable and grain crop production, integrated livestock systems, biocontrol of black cutworm, long-term mycorrhizal exclusion plots, and a constructed wetlands project. Additionally, an off-site organic agriculture research and development project in South Africa is planned to begin in 2010.

The Institute seeks a PhD-level scientist with ecological, soil-focused training to direct institutional research. The position is a scientific leadership role requiring dedication to scientific process, organizational and management duties necessary to run a comprehensive research department. This is a great opportunity for the research director to build and grow a research team, which currently includes three other researchers and several seasonal field technicians.

For job description and application details, click ‘Read More’

Responsibilities

• Leads and manages research staff
• Provides leadership and vision for all research projects, including development of short- and long-term research plans, deliverables, work plans and timelines
• Ensures research projects fully adhere to the mission and strategic plan of the organization
• Executes research protocols so that the investigations generate timely, reliable, and valid data that will yield meaningful contributions to knowledge or technology suitable for publication of original full-length articles in refereed journals
• Identifies and applies for grants, including directing grant writing
• Judiciously manages fiscal resources for research activities
• Solicits and incorporates input and perspective from the broader agricultural and academic communities
• Initiates and maintains research project collaborations and strong professional relationships with researchers, farmers, industry, and policymakers
• Leads the dissemination of research knowledge to farmers and other stakeholders
• Fulfills public speaking engagements to accurately, clearly and professionally present research findings and hypotheses to scientific, farmer, policy, and general public audiences
• Analyzes, interprets, and clearly and accurately communicates (both in writing and speaking) all data collected from current research projects to a variety of audiences
• Publishes peer-reviewed manuscripts annually

Qualifications

• A PhD, including soil science and agroecology training
• Superb written and verbal communication skills
• Proven track record in grant writing and acquisition
• Prior experience managing research staff
• Experience managing research projects, including grant-funded projects, preferably in organic or sustainable agricultural practices with specific emphasis on long-term research projects (more than five years)
• Hands-on sustainable agricultural experience
• Experience in design and implementation of new research trials
• Experience with the use of advanced statistical software (R and/or SPSS)
• Working experience with and understanding of ArcGIS
• Extensive experience with and understanding of standard soil and crop analytical techniques
• Working knowledge and understanding of the National Organic Standards.
• Dedication to the mission of the Rodale Institute

To apply, visit http://www.rodaleinstitute.org/employment-director_of_research_application