The NDSU Agricultural Experiment Station (NDAES) is seeking applicants to serve as the Director of the
Langdon Research Extension Center (LREC). The Director will provide strategic and visionary leadership for the LREC in meeting its established mission and the needs of stakeholders in northeastern North Dakota and across the state. The Director oversees the daily functions of the LREC, manages the Center’s budget, provides supervision of personnel, oversees administrative and operational procedures, and manages external communications and stakeholder relations. The Director will work closely with NDSU main campus in Fargo and with the other research extension centers across North Dakota. This position reports to the Assistant Director for Field Operations of the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station. The Langdon Research Extension Center conducts applied agricultural research and outreach with a focus on the crops, cropping systems and production problems specific to northeastern North Dakota. Areas of research include agronomy, crop diseases, pests and protection, weed control, and variety evaluations. Crops that are the focus of LREC research include hard red spring wheat, winter wheat, canola, flax, soybeans, dry edible beans, field peas, barley, sunflowers, and others. The LREC also operates an active program for increasing Foundation Seedstocks to support the regional agricultural community and NDSU plant breeders.
Minimum Qualifications:
- M.S. in an agricultural discipline closely aligned with the Center’s research programs from an
accredited institution.
- 3+ years of experience in planning, designing, and implementing research or extension programs
related to fields aligned with the mission of the Center.
- Organizational skills and experience with management of projects, budgets and resources.
- Record of creativity, initiative, and entrepreneurial approach to garnering funds to support research or
extension programming.
- Experience managing and supervising employees in a collegial fashion, fostering a teamwork
environment and a culture of collaboration.
- Experience managing large operational budgets with transparency and accountability.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships with diverse agricultural
clientele, agri-business, community groups, and local and state policy makers.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with scientists,
agricultural producers, and other clientele associated with agriculture and natural resources.
- Demonstrated and effective use of technologies for leadership, communication and/or research.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in an agricultural discipline closely aligned with the Center’s research programs from an
accredited institution.
- Experience and accomplishments in research in an area related to applicable research needs for
North Dakota agriculture.
- Experience as a leader of multi-disciplinary research and outreach programs and a record of
accomplishment leading multidisciplinary teams and groups.
- Skill in communicating effectively to diverse groups including researchers, administrators, local
farmers, agribusiness, elected officials and state legislators.
- Commitment to the core mission of a land-grant university, experience and understanding of
administration and project development at a land-grant university, and the application and use of information
technology to further that mission.
- Ability to manage large complex budgets.
- Ability to work across distances to accomplish research and extension mission with the main station
and other research extension centers.
- Experience or knowledge of crop-based seedstock production practices.
Core Competencies:
- Ability to manage people, lead, team build, and effectively delegate.
- Ability to manage complex budgets.
- Ability to obtain extramural funding, and ability to develop strong collaborative research with other
scientists, research extension centers and/or agencies and organizations
- Ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships with diverse agricultural clientele, agribusiness, community groups, and local state policy makers.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing with scientists, agricultural producers, and other clientele associated with agriculture and natural resources.
- Effective use of technologies for leadership, communication, and/or research.
Compensation:
The position offers a competitive salary that is commensurate with experience. Housing and utilities are
provided at the station for the director and family. The university offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes a retirement plan and full coverage for family health insurance. More information on the benefits package can be found here.
Application Deadline:
The initial screening of applicants will begin on May 21st 2026, and continue until a suitable candidate is
selected. Applications received by the screening date will be fully considered.
Special Instructions to Applicants:
Applications should be submitted online via the NDSU recruitment page and should be received by close of business on Wednesday May 20th, 2026 for full consideration.
Applications should include:
1. A brief cover letter describing relevant experience, leadership approach, and vision for the position
2. Current curriculum vitae
3. Names and contact information (name, phone number, email and institutional address) for three
professional references
Questions regarding the position may be directed to Dr. Shana Forster, the search committee chair, at
([email protected]) or to Dr. Marlen Eve, NDAES Assistant Director for Field Operations, at
([email protected]).
NDSU does not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of age, color, gender expression/identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, participation in lawful off-campus activity, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, public assistance status, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, spousal relationship to current employee, or veteran status, as applicable. Direct inquiries to: Vice Provost, Title IX/ADA Coordinator, Old Main 201, NDSU Main Campus, Fargo, ND, 58108, 701-231- 7708, [email protected]
