"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.

Geospatial climate modeling of agricultural systems.

The successful candidate will conduct research and extension to develop and implement geospatial models, across multiple scales, that integrate the analysis of remote sensing data, vegetation data, climate data, soil-sensor data, and other relevant spatial datasets to conduct innovative hypothesis-driven research, including assessing the effectiveness of climate smart management practices in agricultural and/or landscape settings. The position will develop a forward-thinking extension program and lead the development of educational materials, and presentations to inform and advise farmers, extension educators, industry advisors, governmental and elected officials. Relevant research could include, but is not limited to, construction and analysis of detailed spatial maps depicting land cover, soil health, vegetation health, terrestrial water cycles, carbon sequestration, greenhouse-effect gas emissions, soil nutrient dynamics, and other relevant variables to monitor the progress and outcomes of new management technologies. The results will inform financial incentive systems and provide toolboxes through the candidate’s extension program to educate stakeholders and policy makers about outcomes and return on investment that will favorably influence change 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 any 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