Position description: The Department of Horticulture and the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences at Michigan State University (MSU) invite applications for two positions of 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

 

These positions are 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. These positions are part of a well-established plant and soil science research and extension team, as well as a network of extension educators across the state.

 

Position 1: 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.

 

 

 

Position 2: 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.

 

 

 

Required qualifications: 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.

The Department of Horticulture and the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences: HRT and PSM are multi-disciplinary departments with faculty appointed in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR; http://www.canr.msu.edu/).  In addition, opportunities exist to interact with members of Kellogg Biological Station, Great Lakes Bioenergy Center, Plant Resilience Institute, and other interdepartmental programs including Center for PFAS Research, Environmental Science and Policy Program (ESPP), Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biotechnology (PBGB), Genetics and Genome Sciences (GGS), and Molecular Plant Sciences (MPS). Appointed faculty will also be affiliated with MSU AgBioResearch (http://agbioresearch.msu.edu/).

 

Location: The position will be based at Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI, USA. Michigan State University (MSU) is one of the top research universities in the world and home to nationally ranked and recognized academic, residential college, and service-learning programs. MSU is a diverse community of dedicated students and scholars, athletes and artists, and scientists that provide regional, national, and international leadership in basic and applied research and excellence in teaching. In addition, consistent with its Land Grant origins, the MSU community pursues international engagement and provides strong extension programs that partner with diverse stakeholders to provide much needed research in the areas of food, energy, water and the environment. MSU enjoys a park‐like campus with outlying research facilities and natural areas. The campus is located in the city of East Lansing, adjacent to the capital city of Lansing. The Lansing metropolitan area has a diverse population of >500,000. Local communities have excellent school systems and place a high value on education. The University is proactive about its obligations under the ADA, and provides individual accessibility plans to students and employees with disabilities. Michigan State University is also proactive in exploring opportunities for employment for dual career families, both inside and outside the University, and respects all family forms. Information about MSU’s dual career support and other types of support for balancing work and personal lives at MSU can be found at http://worklife.msu.edu/ .

 

 

 

Commitment to Creating a Sense of Belonging: Michigan State University occupies the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary Lands of the Anishinaabeg – Three Fires Confederacy of Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi people. The University resides on Land ceded in the 1819 Treaty of Saginaw.

 

The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University is committed to achieving excellence by creating and sustaining an accessible and inclusive culture that values cultural and academic diversity. We are an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer. The CANR is particularly interested in candidates of all backgrounds who are committed to the principle that academic excellence is achieved through open access and proactive inclusion.  Candidates are invited to view Department of Horticulture norms at https://www.canr.msu.edu/hrt/about-us/diversity-equity-inclusion/index and Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences norms at https://www.canr.msu.edu/psm/about_psm/Diversity-Equity-and-Inclusion/index.

 

 

 

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: Michigan State University is committed to the principles of equal opportunity, nondiscrimination and, in the context of employment, affirmative action. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, political persuasion, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, height, weight, veteran status, age or familial status. 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

To Apply: For consideration, submit your application online at http://careers.msu.edu posting numbers 991734 (Life cycle assessment of agricultural systems) & 991735 (Geospatial climate modeling of agricultural systems) Upload the following required documents: 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), and 6) contact information for three professional references. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

 

 

Review of Applications: The search committee will begin reviewing applications on November 30^th, 2024, and continue until a suitable candidate is selected. 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}. 

 

 

 

MSU is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential. We actively encourage applications from, and nominations of, women, persons of color, veterans, persons with disabilities and other individuals who can contribute to the intellectual diversity and cultural richness at Michigan State University. MSU is committed to providing a work environment that supports employees’ work and personal life, and offers employment assistance to the spouse or partner of candidates for faculty and academic staff positions.