The Department of Horticulture in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University is seeking candidates for an Assistant Professor (12-month tenure system, 60% Research, 40% Extension) position to lead an internationally recognized, innovative and competitively funded applied and basic research and extension program in weed science and ecology to support Michigan’s fruit and vegetable industries. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing a program focused on weed science, agroecology and management that may include: identification and management of herbicideresistant species; weed plant competition and impact on production systems, including management of closely-related weed and crop species; effects of changing climate on weed population dynamics; new and expanded herbicide registrations for edible specialty crop production systems; and/or development or application of innovative precision agriculture technologies and alternative integrated weed management strategies including chemical, mechanical, cultural, biological, and organic approaches to increase production efficiency.
Extension responsibilities include development of educational materials and presentations to inform and advise growers, extension educators, industry advisors, government regulators, and elected officials on vegetable, small fruit, and tree fruit specialty crop weed management issues, 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 MS Extension’s Agriculture and Agribusiness Institute as well as Michigan growers; procure competitive external grant funding; publish in peer-reviewed scientific journals; develop leadership activities in regional, national, and international professional scientific associations; and advise and mentor students, postdoctoral fellows, and visiting scientists. Opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration exist with scientists in soil science, plant pathology, nematology, entomology, and agricultural engineering. Benefits include a salary commensurate with the candidate’s experience, a competitive start-up package, and attractive health, dental and retirement plans.
Qualifications:
Required:
• Ph.D. in weed science, horticulture, crop science, agronomy, plant physiology/biology,
forestry, or other plant science-related fields
• 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:
• 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 multidisciplinary and multi-cultural setting.
Plant Sciences at MSU: MSU is a global leader in basic and applied plant science research, with over 150 faculty members engaged in research ranging from sustainable agriculture and ecology to breeding, genomics and biochemistry. Extensive laboratory, greenhouse, growth chamber, and field-based facilities are available for plant growth research, including biochemical, imaging, and gene expression analyses, bioinformatics support, and plant transformation. Horticulture faculty also conduct research at the Horticulture Teaching and Research Center on campus and several field research and demonstration centers around the state. MSU plant science faculty, staff, and graduate students represent an inclusive, diverse community committed to the advancement of science and the recruitment and retention of persons from richly varied backgrounds and
perspectives to maintain and enhance the excellence of the University.
Application Procedure: Qualified applicants should submit the following materials to https://careers.msu.edu (select Faculty/Academic Staff and apply to posting #563530): 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 and/or extension endeavors, and an explanation of how you will contribute to MSU’s goals of inclusive excellence; and 5) contact information for at least three references who will be contacted directly by the search committee as needed. Questions about the position or the search and interview timetable can be directed to Dr. Daniel Brainard, Search Committee Chair (brainar9@msu.edu). Questions on submitting applications through https://careers.msu.edu can be directed to hrt@msu.edu. Review of applications will begin on May 1, and continue until the position is filled.