"Assistant Professor-Tenure System"

Position Summary

The Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences and the Department of Horticulture at Michigan State University (MSU) invite applications for a full-time, 12-month tenure-system Assistant Professor with 60% research and 40% extension assignment. The position start date is anticipated to be April 1, 2025.

This position will be appointed in either the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Science or the Department of Horticulture.

This position is part of the new Agricultural Climate Resiliency Program, a partnership among MSU, the Plant Coalition, and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development aimed at developing solutions to long-term climate- and water-related problems. As part of this program, MSU has launched an extensive cluster hire process to attract expertise in critical areas of research and outreach necessary to address such grand challenges. This position is part of a well-established plant and soil science research and extension team, as well as a network of extension educators across the state.

Life cycle assessment of agricultural systems. The position focuses on filling knowledge gaps in life cycle assessment of agricultural, landscape systems, and/or the built environment by conducting innovative hypothesis-driven research and extension through quantifying environmental impacts, especially climate change across multiple scales. The research will evaluate the impact of weather, soil, and agricultural practices across the diversity of Michigan agricultural commodities and landscapes. Research topics could include understanding organic matter- and microbiome-interactions in soils, carbon sequestration, organic chemical persistence and reactivity, and/or the life cycle analysis of diverse agricultural production and best management practices (including agriculture in built environment and low impact development). The position will develop a forward-thinking extension program and lead the development of educational materials, tools, and presentations to inform and advise farmers, extension educators, industry advisors, governmental and elected officials. Relevant fields could include, but are not limited to, agronomy, horticulture, ecological economics, soil and plant sciences, industrial ecology, and engineering. Goals are to computationally assess environmental impacts of carbon storage in soils and greenhouse-effect gas emissions, intersect with economic analyses, inform management practices and policy, and to engage stakeholders in ways to influence the adoption of new ideas across the agricultural industry. Applicants that leverage machine learning, neural networks and/or artificial intelligence approaches are encouraged to apply.

Location: The position will be based at Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI, USA.

Salary and Benefits: Salary will be commensurate with qualifications. MSU offers a generous benefits package (details at https://hr.msu.edu/benefits/index.html).

Required Degree

Doctorate -Agronomy, biosystems engineering, chemistry, computer science, environmental science, environmental engineering, geography, geology, horticulture, soil science or related fields

Minimum Requirements

An earned Ph.D. in agronomy, biosystems engineering, chemistry, computer science, environmental science, environmental engineering, geography, geology, horticulture, soil science or related fields. Demonstrated capacity to conduct and publish independent, original, innovative research. Excellent oral and written communication skills appropriate for both scientific peers and agricultural stakeholder constituencies.

Desired Qualifications

Postdoctoral research experience. Experience in competitive grant proposal writing and administration. Experience in extension programming. Ability to work collaboratively, both as a team member and as a leader.

Required Application Materials

1. Cover letter
2. Current curriculum vitae
3. A description of how you will contribute to our diversity, equity and inclusion goals (2-page maximum)
4. A statement of research (2-page maximum)
5. A statement of extension/outreach philosophy (2-page maximum)
6. Names & contact information for three (3) professional references.

Special Instructions

The search committee will begin reviewing applications on November 30, 2024, and continue until a suitable candidate is selected.

To be considered for this position and associated position(s) in the Agricultural Climate Resiliency Program, interested applicants must apply on http://careers.msu.edu/

Questions regarding this position can be addressed to the Search Committee Chair: Patrick Edger, Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA, edgerpat@msu.edu

Review of Applications Begins On

11/30/2024