Assistant Professor-Tenure System

Position Summary

The Department of Horticulture in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University invites applications for a full-time 12-month tenure-system Assistant Professor position (with a 50% Research, 40% Extension, and 10% Teaching assignment) to lead an internationally recognized, innovative and competitively funded research and extension program in weed science and ecology to support Michigan’s fruit and vegetable industries.   The position start date is anticipated to be August 16, 2025.

The successful candidate will be responsible for developing a collaborative research and extension program focused on weed science, management and agroecology.  Specific areas of research may include, but are not limited to: optimization of herbicide products, rates, timings and application methods to selectively manage weeds and facilitate expanded herbicide registrations for edible specialty crops; effects of climate change on weed population dynamics and management; development and application of automated, AI-assisted precision weeders to reduce pesticide use and labor costs; integration of preventative, chemical, biological and physical approaches to manage herbicide resistant weeds and improve production efficiency. Extension responsibilities include development of a forward-looking extension program that will provide leadership in the development of educational materials and presentations to inform and advise growers, extension educators, industry advisors, government regulators, and elected officials, based on industry needs and opportunities in vegetable and fruit specialty crop weed management, with a focus on sustainability, profitability, and environmental impact.

Michigan’s vegetable and fruit producers constitute a diverse array of specialty crop growers with a combined farm-gate value of $780 million. Access to the latest herbicides and comprehensive up-to-date practices and integrated systems are essential to ensure economic sustainability of these important specialty crop industries in Michigan while also protecting the environment and natural resources.

The successful candidate will be expected to develop and coordinate outreach and research collaborations within the MSU vegetable and fruit faculty and extension educator teams in MSU Extension’s Agriculture and Agribusiness Institute; procure competitive external grant funding; publish in peer-reviewed scientific journals; create and publish, refereed, industry relevant educational materials; develop leadership activities in regional, national, and international professional scientific associations; advise and mentor students, postdoctoral fellows, and visiting scientists; and contribute to the graduate-level curriculum in applied horticultural crop production, which may include teaching seminars or coordinating a team-taught course at the 800 level. Opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration exist with scientists in soil science, plant pathology, nematology, entomology, and agricultural engineering. Salary will be commensurate with the successful candidate’s experience. MSU offers competitive start-up support for new faculty and attractive benefits including health and dental insurance and retirement plans.

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 -Weed science, horticulture, agronomy, plant biology/physiology, forestry, or other relevant plant-science related fields.

Minimum Requirements

• Demonstrated capacity to conduct and publish independent, original, innovative research
• Excellent oral and written communication skills appropriate for both scientific peers as well as agricultural stakeholder constituencies.

Desired Qualifications

• Graduate, postdoctoral or other professional experience in weed science/ecology.
• Experience in competitive grant proposal writing and administration.
• Experience working in a diverse environment and/or utilizing a variety of outreach/communication methods designed for broad student/stakeholder success.
• Ability to work collaboratively, both as a team member and as a leader in a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural setting.

Required Application Materials

1) A letter of application, summarizing research/extension accomplishments and future interests
2) a current resume
3) a statement of extension/teaching philosophy
4) a summary of your experience or philosophy fostering diversity and inclusion in research, extension and instructional endeavors, including an explanation of how you will contribute to MSU’s goals of inclusive excellence
5) contact information for at least three references who will be contacted directly by the search committee as needed

Special Instructions

Questions on submitting applications through https://jobs.msu.edu can be directed to hrt@msu.edu.

Questions about the position or the search and interview timetable can be directed to Dr. Steve van Nocker, Search Committee Chair (vannocke@msu.edu).

Review of Applications Begins On

11/10/2024

Website

HRT.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.