Assistant Professor-Tenure System

Position Summary

The Michigan State University-Department of Energy Plant Research Laboratory (PRL) has up to two tenure-track, twelve-month faculty positions available at the Assistant Professor level to complement and/or strengthen PRL mission areas.

We are particularly interested in research that addresses fundamental questions in photosynthetic organisms in natural or engineered systems, including plants, algae, or photosynthetic bacteria interpreted broadly. Relevant research areas include, but are not limited to, mechanisms and regulation of photosynthetic light reactions, light capture and energy dissipation, electron transport reactions, primary metabolism and carbon allocation, development, organelle biogenesis/biology, biotic and abiotic stress, or integration of growth and environment. Individuals are expected to employ state-of-the art approaches, which may include but are not limited to advanced spectroscopy, imaging, cell biology, genetics and genomics, metabolomics, synthetic biology, phenotyping, predictive modeling, or molecular and structural biology such as cryo-EM.

The PRL offers a highly collaborative environment for creative, fundamental research on photosynthetic organisms broadly. An important research core within the unit focuses on energy-related science for understanding and improving photosynthetic function through long-standing funding from the DOE Basic Energy Sciences (BES) program (see here and here) to support high risk-high reward basic science. This DOE support coexists with interdisciplinary research conducted by individual PRL lab efforts aimed broadly at studying photosynthetic organisms. More information on the breadth of PRL research is available at https://prl.natsci.msu.edu/research/. The PRL exists within the broader MSU research community, which offers a vibrant and collaborative environment with strengths in plant science, including the Colleges of Natural Science and Agriculture & Natural Resources, the DOE Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center and the Plant Resilience Institute.

PRL faculty are integral members of the MSU tenure-stream faculty, and the candidate will be jointly appointed in the academic department with the best fit (e.g., Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Plant Biology, Chemistry). 

Please note that this is a union position represented by the Union of Tenure System Faculty (UTSF). The university is working with the union to establish a collective bargaining agreement.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Doctorate

Minimum Requirements

Applicants must have a PhD and postdoctoral research experience. Applicants must show evidence of productivity and potential for independent research. Applicants should demonstrate how they can clearly and collaboratively contribute to the DOE-BES priorities at the PRL but also expand the breadth of the PRL research portfolio.

Required Application Materials

Complete applications must include a 1) cover letter (1 page), 2) curriculum vitae, 3) research statement which integrates past and future research directions (3-5 pages), 4) statement of teaching and mentoring experience and philosophy (1 page), and 5) contact information for three references. Applications should emphasize clearly how the research will complement the PRL core research foci around light capture, energy conversion, and storage as well as establish independent research directions. Successful applicants are expected to summarize their contributions to core institutional values throughout their application materials. Letters of recommendation will only be requested for top applicants. Application materials should be submitted as a single PDF file through the MSU applicant page. 

Special Instructions

Questions regarding this position can be directed to the search chair, Josh Vermaas at vermaasj@msu.edu. Complete applications must be received by the end of the day November 2nd, 2026 to receive full consideration. Late submissions will be considered if suitable candidates are not identified by the deadline.

Review of Applications Begins On

11/02/2026

Website

https://prl.natsci.msu.edu/

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.