Position Details

Position Information

Announcement Number FAC - VA - 25006

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Ryan Thum

ryan.thum@montana.edu

406-994-4039

Classification Title

Working Title Assistant Professor of Plant Evolution

Brief Position Overview

This is a full-time, academic year (9-month) tenure track position with 45% teaching, 45% research, and 10% Service.

This position requires that the successful candidate develop a focused program of research, teaching, and service activities related to plant evolution and biodiversity (e.g., systematics, comparative biology, speciation, adaptation, phylogeography). Teaching responsibilities include an upper-level course on Plant Systematics, contributing to other courses in the curriculum as determined with the Department Head, and advising undergraduate and graduate students. The position also includes curating the Montana State herbarium ( MONT ), and performing appropriate university, professional, and public service relevant to the position. Applicants with questions or concerns about their relevance to the position description and qualification are encouraged to contact the search chair.

Faculty Tenure Track Yes

Faculty Rank TT

Position Number 4A3186

Department Plant Sciences

Division College of Agriculture/MAES

Appointment Type Faculty

Contract Term Academic 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

Montana State University values all perspectives and is committed to continually supporting, promoting, and building an inclusive and culturally rich campus environment. We recognize the importance of work-life integration and strive to be responsive to the needs of dual-career couples. We seek individuals who work professionally and effectively with all backgrounds. Candidates should possess effective interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills and have the ability to contribute positively to the academic success of students and the mission of Montana State University.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Establish a successful research program related to plant diversity and evolution (e.g., systematics, comparative biology, speciation, adaptation, phylogeography), as demonstrated through publishing original research in refereed journals and other appropriate venues, supporting their research with extramural funding, and participating in relevant professional organizations.

• The successful candidate is expected to teach an upper-level course on Plant Systematics, and contribute to courses in the curriculum, as determined with the Department Head.

• Curate the Montana State herbarium ( MONT ).

• Advise graduate and undergraduate students.

• Perform appropriate university, professional, and public service relevant to the position.

  Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Ph.D. at time of appointment in a field relevant to the duties and responsibilities listed above.

• Demonstrated potential for excellence in research, teaching, and service, commensurate with career level.

• Demonstrated potential to successfully teach a Plant Systematics course.

• Demonstrated potential to successfully curate the Montana State Herbarium ( MONT ).

• Demonstrated potential to develop a research program that supports Montana State’s Land Grant mission in natural resources, agriculture, and MSU’s Grand Challenges (https://www.montana.edu/strategicplan/improvinglives.html).

  Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Demonstrated command of plant identification, taxonomy, and systematics.

• Experience with plant collections/herbaria.

• Demonstrated ability to incorporate modern genomic and bioinformatics techniques into research and teaching activities.

• Previous research, teaching, and service experience relevant to the position description.

• Demonstrated potential to secure extramural funding.

• Evidence of successful collaboration and interaction with relevant academic groups, agencies, or industries.

• Evidence of potential for successful advising and mentoring of graduate and undergraduate students.

  The Successful Candidate Will

• Possess excellent written and oral English communication skills.

• Possess effective interpersonal skills.

• Be committed to Montana State University’s mission, vision, and student success.

• Contribute successfully to PSPP teaching, research, and service mission and vision.

  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 PSPP department is a team of scientists and educators passionate about plants, their associated organisms, and environments. The PSPP Department conducts research, extension, and teaching in the broad areas of biology, including but not limited to agronomy, horticulture, plant biology, plant pathology, genetics, entomology, sustainable crop production, and landscape design. The department offers BS, MS, and Ph.D. degree programs with a current enrollment of 150 undergraduate and 50 graduate students. The department has state-of-the-art laboratory and plant-growth facilities. Additionally, student and faculty researchers have access to seven research centers distributed across the state of Montana. The department is also home to five service labs, with facilities and programs that directly benefit the agricultural economy of Montana.

The College

Founded in 1893 as a Land Grant University, Montana State University ( MSU ) is composed of eight academic colleges and a graduate school and boasts a friendly, supportive faculty and campus environment. Currently, the University hosts an enrollment of nearly 17,000 students, including approximately 2,000 graduate students. MSU is classified as one of 130 U.S. Research Universities (very high research activity) by the Carnegie Foundation.

MSU is located in Bozeman, Montana, an extended community of about 70,000 nestled in the Rocky Mountains in southwestern Montana near Yellowstone National Park. In addition to providing access to an extraordinary ecosystem for teaching and research programs, Bozeman is renowned for year-round recreational and cultural opportunities to include access to world class ski areas, multiple blue ribbon trout streams and the Gallatin National Forest. Bozeman boasts high-quality medical facilities, a very low crime rate, many fine restaurants, acclaimed public and private schools, a symphony orchestra and choir, an annual opera, nationally known events, and an airport served by national airlines that provide non-stop service to numerous cities throughout the nation.

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 09/13/2024; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions

To apply, please upload the following documents:

• A cover letter specifically addressing each of the Required and Preferred Qualifications.

• Curriculum Vita.

• Contact information for three (3) references, including current direct supervisors.

  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.