Montana State University
Assistant Professor of Horticulture / Plant Biology
Montana State University, Billings Metropolitan Area, Montana, United States
Assistant Professor of Horticulture / Plant Biology
This position is not eligible for sponsorship.
To be considered in the pool, apply online by uploading the following:
Research Statement (max 1 page)
Teaching Statement (max 1 page)
Position Information Announcement Number FAC - VA - 26016
For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Working Title: Assistant Professor of Horticulture / Plant Biology
Brief Position Overview
The PSPP Department conducts research and teaches in the broad areas of agronomy, horticulture, plant biology, plant pathology, genetics, entomology, sustainable crop production, and landscape design. We seek a collaborative and innovative plant scientist whose research focuses on horticultural systems and whose teaching contributes to key areas of our horticulture and plant biology curricula. As the largest horticulture program in Montana, faculty, staff, and students work to impact the horticulture industry and landscapes in semi-arid geographies, for addressing concerns of sustainability, environmental risks, and economic viability for all producers.
Duties and Responsibilities This tenure-track position requires that the successful candidate develop an externally funded, nationally recognized research program in horticultural crops or systems. Prioritized focal areas include abiotic stress tolerance for drought, cold, heat, or salinity stress in ornamentals, turf, woody species, or crops relevant to semi-arid or high-elevation regions. Both basic and applied approaches, including model systems, are welcome. Research projects will include engagement with stakeholder communities such as nursery, landscape, urban forestry, or turf management professionals in Montana and the region. Collaborative research and scholarship related to teaching and learning are also encouraged. This individual will support their research with extramural funding and publish original research in refereed journals and other appropriate venues.
The successful candidate will develop an innovative and collaborative teaching program relevant to the missions of the Department, College and University. Instructional responsibilities include two 3-credit courses annually that tie into the horticulture and plant science undergraduate programs (e.g., plant propagation, herbaceous ornamentals, introduction to plant science, turfgrass or landscape management), with flexibility to align with expertise and departmental needs. Interdisciplinary projects, community engagement, and other high quality high-impact educational practices are encouraged. The successful candidate will also advise undergraduate and graduate students in academic and research/creative activities that relate to horticulture.
Qualifications Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
Ph.D. in horticulture, plant biology, or related field.
Potential for excellence in research and a publication record commensurate with career level.
Potential for excellence in teaching.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate with other faculty and scientists.
Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
Previous teaching experience at the university level.
Past record or evidence of scholarly activity.
Demonstrated ability to secure extramural funding from a combination of public and private sources.
The Successful Candidate Will
Contribute successfully to PSPP community and collaborate with the horticulture group.
Possess excellent written and oral communications skills.
Possess effective interpersonal skills.
Be committed to student success, advising/mentoring, and quality teaching.
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 accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
The Program The Department — The Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology ( PSPP ) Department, housed in the College of Agriculture, offers a B.S. degree in four majors, an M.S. degree in Plant Pathology or Plant Sciences, and a Ph.D. degree in Plant Sciences. The Department has a state-of-the-art building that is well-equipped with access to the Plant Growth Center greenhouse facility, a 10-acre horticulture farm that includes a student-run market garden, a pollinator garden, and a 250-acre agronomic research farm. In addition, seven off-campus research centers across the state offer further collaborative research opportunities.
The College Number of Vacancies 1
Desired Start Date August 2026
Position End Date (if temporary) Open Date
Close Date
Applications will be Screening of applications will begin on October 1, 2025; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
Special Instructions This position is not eligible for sponsorship. To be considered in the pool, apply online by uploading the following:
Research Statement (max 1 page)
Teaching Statement (max 1 page)
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.
FLSA Status Exempt
Required Documents
Curriculum Vitae
Cover Letter
Research Statement
Teaching Statement
Optional Documents Supplemental Questions Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
#J-18808-Ljbffr
To be considered in the pool, apply online by uploading the following:
Research Statement (max 1 page)
Teaching Statement (max 1 page)
Position Information Announcement Number FAC - VA - 26016
For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Working Title: Assistant Professor of Horticulture / Plant Biology
Brief Position Overview
The PSPP Department conducts research and teaches in the broad areas of agronomy, horticulture, plant biology, plant pathology, genetics, entomology, sustainable crop production, and landscape design. We seek a collaborative and innovative plant scientist whose research focuses on horticultural systems and whose teaching contributes to key areas of our horticulture and plant biology curricula. As the largest horticulture program in Montana, faculty, staff, and students work to impact the horticulture industry and landscapes in semi-arid geographies, for addressing concerns of sustainability, environmental risks, and economic viability for all producers.
Duties and Responsibilities This tenure-track position requires that the successful candidate develop an externally funded, nationally recognized research program in horticultural crops or systems. Prioritized focal areas include abiotic stress tolerance for drought, cold, heat, or salinity stress in ornamentals, turf, woody species, or crops relevant to semi-arid or high-elevation regions. Both basic and applied approaches, including model systems, are welcome. Research projects will include engagement with stakeholder communities such as nursery, landscape, urban forestry, or turf management professionals in Montana and the region. Collaborative research and scholarship related to teaching and learning are also encouraged. This individual will support their research with extramural funding and publish original research in refereed journals and other appropriate venues.
The successful candidate will develop an innovative and collaborative teaching program relevant to the missions of the Department, College and University. Instructional responsibilities include two 3-credit courses annually that tie into the horticulture and plant science undergraduate programs (e.g., plant propagation, herbaceous ornamentals, introduction to plant science, turfgrass or landscape management), with flexibility to align with expertise and departmental needs. Interdisciplinary projects, community engagement, and other high quality high-impact educational practices are encouraged. The successful candidate will also advise undergraduate and graduate students in academic and research/creative activities that relate to horticulture.
Qualifications Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
Ph.D. in horticulture, plant biology, or related field.
Potential for excellence in research and a publication record commensurate with career level.
Potential for excellence in teaching.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate with other faculty and scientists.
Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
Previous teaching experience at the university level.
Past record or evidence of scholarly activity.
Demonstrated ability to secure extramural funding from a combination of public and private sources.
The Successful Candidate Will
Contribute successfully to PSPP community and collaborate with the horticulture group.
Possess excellent written and oral communications skills.
Possess effective interpersonal skills.
Be committed to student success, advising/mentoring, and quality teaching.
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 accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
The Program The Department — The Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology ( PSPP ) Department, housed in the College of Agriculture, offers a B.S. degree in four majors, an M.S. degree in Plant Pathology or Plant Sciences, and a Ph.D. degree in Plant Sciences. The Department has a state-of-the-art building that is well-equipped with access to the Plant Growth Center greenhouse facility, a 10-acre horticulture farm that includes a student-run market garden, a pollinator garden, and a 250-acre agronomic research farm. In addition, seven off-campus research centers across the state offer further collaborative research opportunities.
The College Number of Vacancies 1
Desired Start Date August 2026
Position End Date (if temporary) Open Date
Close Date
Applications will be Screening of applications will begin on October 1, 2025; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
Special Instructions This position is not eligible for sponsorship. To be considered in the pool, apply online by uploading the following:
Research Statement (max 1 page)
Teaching Statement (max 1 page)
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.
FLSA Status Exempt
Required Documents
Curriculum Vitae
Cover Letter
Research Statement
Teaching Statement
Optional Documents Supplemental Questions Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
#J-18808-Ljbffr