South Dakota State University (SDSU), located in Brookings, South Dakota, stands as the state's largest and oldest public higher education institution. As a land-grant university, it plays a pivotal role in education, research, and outreach, particularly in agriculture, engineering, and health sciences. Jobs at South Dakota State University attract professionals seeking meaningful careers in academia, research, and administration. Whether you're eyeing faculty positions, research roles, or support staff opportunities, SDSU offers a dynamic environment where innovation meets tradition.
The university employs over 2,000 faculty and staff, supporting more than 11,000 students across nine colleges. Positions range from tenure-track professors to postdoctoral researchers and administrative leaders. Brookings, a welcoming college town of about 24,000 residents, provides an affordable lifestyle with easy access to recreational activities like biking trails and nearby lakes.
Founded in 1881 as the Dakota Agriculture College, SDSU evolved into a comprehensive research university, gaining Carnegie R2 status in 2021 for high research activity. This history shapes its job landscape, emphasizing practical, impact-driven roles. Employment at SDSU has grown alongside its research funding, which exceeds $60 million annually, funding numerous research assistant jobs and faculty positions.
The university's land-grant mission—defined as a federal designation for institutions focused on agriculture, science, and engineering—drives extension services jobs, where educators deliver programs to rural communities. This unique focus distinguishes SDSU jobs from urban universities, offering roles in sustainable agriculture and rural development.
SDSU posts diverse openings across its colleges. Faculty jobs dominate, including assistant, associate, and full professors in fields like agronomy, nursing, and civil engineering. Research positions, such as postdoctoral fellows and lab managers, support projects in biotechnology and animal science. Administrative roles cover HR, student services, and facilities.
Staff positions include IT specialists, extension agents, and librarians. For adjunct roles, SDSU hires part-time instructors. Explore university job types for detailed breakdowns. Current listings often feature nursing faculty, engineering lecturers, and research associates in precision agriculture.
To understand jobs at South Dakota State University fully, key terms include:
Academic jobs at South Dakota State University typically demand advanced degrees. Faculty positions in most departments require a PhD in the relevant field, such as a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Animal Science for livestock roles or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) for nursing faculty. Lecturer jobs may accept a master's degree with significant teaching experience.
Research assistant jobs often need a bachelor's or master's in biology, chemistry, or engineering. Administrative roles like academic advisors prefer a master's in education or counseling. SDSU verifies credentials through transcripts and references during hiring.
SDSU's research emphasizes agriculture (e.g., crop genomics), engineering (bioenergy), and health sciences (rural health disparities). Expertise in sustainable farming, drone technology for precision agriculture, or bioinformatics is highly sought. The South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station funds projects requiring skills in field trials and data modeling.
Postdocs focus on NIH-funded biomedical research or USDA grants for food safety. Successful candidates demonstrate prior publications in journals like the Journal of Animal Science.
Employers at SDSU value publications (3-5 peer-reviewed papers for assistant professors), grant-writing success, and teaching experience (e.g., leading labs or seminars). Interdisciplinary skills, like combining AI with agriculture, stand out.
Key competencies include communication for extension roles, leadership for department chairs, and software proficiency (GIS, MATLAB). Soft skills like collaboration thrive in SDSU's team-based environment. Review employer branding secrets to align your profile.
The process starts with SDSU's online careers portal at sdstate.edu/jobs. Submit a cover letter, CV, transcripts, and three references. Faculty searches involve committee reviews, presentations, and campus visits.
Tips: Customize your CV per how to write a winning academic CV. Highlight South Dakota ties or rural experience. Network via conferences or LinkedIn. Prepare for teaching demos and research seminars. Deadlines are strict; apply early. Track status via the portal.
SDSU commits to diversity through the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI), offering mentorship for underrepresented faculty via the NSF ADVANCE program. The Inclusive Excellence Framework trains staff on bias reduction. Affinity groups support LGBTQ+ and veterans. In 2023, SDSU increased women in STEM faculty by 15%. Recruitment targets diverse candidates via partnerships with HBCUs and Hispanic-serving institutions.
Brookings offers a low-cost, safe environment with a cost of living 20% below national average. Campus life includes the Wellness Center (gym, pools), biking paths, and events like Hobo Day parade. Employee Assistance Program provides counseling. Flexible schedules, parental leave, and sabbaticals support balance. Faculty enjoy four-day summers off. Proximity to Sioux Falls (hour drive) adds urban access without congestion.
Community events foster belonging; join intramurals or cultural clubs. Winters are cold, but indoor facilities abound.
SDSU invests in growth via the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning workshops and research seed grants. Benefits package: comprehensive health insurance, 401(k) match up to 8%, tuition remission for dependents, and 22 vacation days. Salaries competitive; engineering professors average $110,000. Explore university salaries for benchmarks.
Jobs at South Dakota State University blend academic rigor with community impact in Brookings, South Dakota. From faculty to research roles, opportunities abound for qualified professionals. Check higher ed jobs, higher ed career advice, and university jobs for more. Institutions like SDSU post openings—post a job if recruiting.
