Montana State University
Assistant Professor of Horticulture / Plant Biology
Montana State University, Billings Metropolitan Area, Montana, United States
Overview
Assistant Professor of Horticulture / Plant Biology Please see Special Instructions for more details. This position is not eligible for NEW 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. Faculty Tenure Track Faculty Tenure Track Yes Faculty Rank Faculty Rank TT Position Number Position Number 4A3049 Department Division Division College of Agriculture/MAES Appointment Type Appointment Type Faculty Contract Term Contract Term Academic Year Semester If other, specify From date If other, specify End date Union Affiliation Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining FTE FTE 1.0 Benefits Eligible Salary $78,000 - $80,000 annually, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications Contract Type Contract Type MUS If other, please specify Recruitment Type Recruitment Type Open General Statement 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 enrolls over 17,000 students, including nearly 2,000 graduate students. MSU is in Bozeman, Montana, a community of 57,000 situated in the Gallatin Valley, and part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. 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 Number of Vacancies 1 Desired Start Date 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 NEW 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 FLSA Status Exempt Required Documents Curriculum Vitae Cover Letter Research Statement Teaching Statement Optional Documents Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
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Assistant Professor of Horticulture / Plant Biology Please see Special Instructions for more details. This position is not eligible for NEW 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. Faculty Tenure Track Faculty Tenure Track Yes Faculty Rank Faculty Rank TT Position Number Position Number 4A3049 Department Division Division College of Agriculture/MAES Appointment Type Appointment Type Faculty Contract Term Contract Term Academic Year Semester If other, specify From date If other, specify End date Union Affiliation Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining FTE FTE 1.0 Benefits Eligible Salary $78,000 - $80,000 annually, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications Contract Type Contract Type MUS If other, please specify Recruitment Type Recruitment Type Open General Statement 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 enrolls over 17,000 students, including nearly 2,000 graduate students. MSU is in Bozeman, Montana, a community of 57,000 situated in the Gallatin Valley, and part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. 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 Number of Vacancies 1 Desired Start Date 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 NEW 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 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