Job Information
Montana State University Assistant Professor of Agroecology in Bozeman, Montana
Position Details
Position Information
Announcement Number FAC - VA - 25007
For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Will Wetzel
William.wetzel@montana.edu
406-994-5604
Classification Title
Working Title Assistant Professor of Agroecology
Brief Position Overview
The Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences at Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana invites applications for a tenure-track position at the level of Assistant Professor with expertise in Agroecology for a preferred start date of August 2025.
Faculty Tenure Track Yes
Faculty Rank TT
Position Number 4A1260
Department Land Resources & Environ Sci
Division College of Agriculture/MAES
Appointment Type Faculty
Contract Term Fiscal Year
Semester
If other, specify From date
If other, specify End date
Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining
FTE 1.0
Benefits Eligible Eligible
Salary Salary commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.
Contract Type MUS
If other, please specify
Recruitment Type Open
Position Details
General Statement
The Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences at Montana State University seeks a collaborative colleague working at the forefront of agroecology. The successful candidate will link departmental strengths in agronomy, soil science, plant ecology, insect ecology, chemical ecology, biogeochemistry, hydrology, spatial sciences, and environmental biology to address pressing questions that advance our fundamental understanding of the ecology of agroecosystems while improving our ability to manage them sustainably.
This is a nine-month (academic year), tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant Professor level with research (55%), teaching (35%), and service (10%) responsibilities funded by the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station and the College of Agriculture.
Duties and Responsibilities
Research responsibilities include developing a nationally recognized program in agroecology. The position will help maintain MSU’s recognized strengths in environmental science, ecology, and sustainable agriculture, and benefit from growing investment in fields such as precision agriculture and data science. Research foci could include but are not limited to agroecosystem diversification, multi-trophic interactions, plant-plant interactions, climate adaptation, chemical ecology, plant-microbe interactions, biological control, and integrated pest management. We anticipate that the successful candidate will have strong quantitative skills, enabling integration of data across scales and disciplines with the goal of addressing major issues in agricultural sustainability, such as climate adaptation and food-system security. Close collaboration with colleagues across scientific disciplines is expected. The department’s research network includes seven Agricultural Research Centers across Montana, and our college and department include a strong Extension component. Interaction with Extension staff and Research Centers to help them disseminate agroecological discoveries is an important component of this position.
Expertise in quantitative analysis, scientific writing for a variety of audiences, and oral presentation skills are essential. The successful candidate will develop an excellent teaching and mentoring program, including teaching undergraduate and/or graduate courses, such as Introduction to Agroecology ( ENSC , AGSC or SFBS 243), Agroecology ( LRES 543) and Plants in the Environment ( ENSC 210), depending on departmental teaching needs. Responsibilities include undergraduate curricular advising, undergraduate research advising, and training of graduate students with expectation of recruiting and funding doctoral students as a priority. The hiring department has a strong history of securing extramural funding to support graduate students. Service responsibilities include departmental citizenship, participation in professional societies, and engagement with the community consistent with the missions of a Land Grant University and the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station.
Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
Ph.D. in agroecology or a closely related field.
Demonstrated potential for research achievement in agroecology.
Evidence of strong communication skills including peer-reviewed journal articles.
Experience in undergraduate and graduate teaching and mentoring.
Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
Record of conducting innovative agroecology research that advances fundamental understanding of agroecosystems and enhances agricultural sustainability.
Demonstrated potential to write grant proposals and secure funding.
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams.
Experience working with stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to mentor students from all backgrounds to succeed.
The Successful Candidate Will
Be a dynamic scientist and educator who will:
Help MSU continue to provide outstanding teaching, scholarship, engagement, and service in meeting the goals of the MSU Strategic Plan;
Have excellent written and oral communication skills;
Have effective interpersonal skills including the ability to collaborate successfully with faculty, students, and stakeholders;
Demonstrate commitment to integrating an understanding of the experiences of underrepresented groups into research, teaching, engagement, and service.
Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Physical Demands
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodation. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
The Program
The Department
The Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences ( LRES ) is in the College of Agriculture at Montana State University. Our work spans land resources and environmental science and management, and includes cutting-edge, innovative teaching, fundamental and applied research, and highly effective outreach and service to a broad range of public and private entities.
Our faculty offer broad expertise related to soils, microorganisms, insects, plants, climate, and water to achieve an integrated multiscale and multi-disciplinary approach to understanding and managing ecosystems. We address issues related to natural and managed landscapes such as cropland, rangeland, forests, reclaimed land, polar and geothermal environments, and protected natural areas, with fundamental and applied investigations in agriculture, environmental science, land management, and natural resources. We advance scientific understanding across spatial and temporal scales, and apply this understanding for effective land management, informed adoption of sustainability practices, and broad education of students in preparation for careers in the agricultural and environmental sciences.
LRES consists of 35 research and teaching faculty, about 300 undergraduate students, 25 thesis MS, 120 online MS, 25 Ph.D. students, and 40 technical and postdoctoral scientists, and has a strong tradition of interdisciplinary collaboration within the department and across the institution and state of Montana. The department is supported through the College of Agriculture, the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station, and the Extension Service, which work together to generate and disseminate knowledge and technological solutions to increase the competitiveness of Montana agricultural and natural resource enterprises.
The College
Posting Detail Information
Number of Vacancies 1
Desired Start Date Upon completion of a successful search
Position End Date (if temporary)
Open Date
Close Date
Applications will be:
Screening of applications will begin on September 30, 2024; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
Special Instructions
To apply please submit the following:
A cover letter highlighting elements of your experiences that will specifically address each required and preferred qualification for this position (two-page limit).
A statement of your past research accomplishments and vision of future research for this position (two-page limit).
A statement of your teaching philosophy including the mentorship of undergraduate and graduate students (two-page limit).
A current curriculum vitae.
Contact information for four professional references. Please prioritize references with whom you have had the most extensive direct professional interactions. We will only contact references for applicants rated in the top tier.
EEO Statement
Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.