Assistant Professor

Position Function:

The Department of Plant of Plant and Soil Sciences in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Mississippi State University is seeking applicants for a Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station Research (60%)/Teaching (40%) Assistant Professor. This position will be a 9- or 12-month, tenure track appointment with an anticipated starting date of July 1, 2022. The incumbent will work in concert with faculty and staff from the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences at Mississippi State University as well as with other departments across campus and other institutions.

Salary Grade : UC

Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Department Profile:

Mississippi State University is Mississippi's senior comprehensive land-grant institution and has the largest on-campus enrollment (>22,000) of the eight state institutions of higher learning. All components of the university have a strong commitment to teaching, research, and service. The Department of Plant and Soil Sciences has 31 on- and 26 off-campus faculty members engaged in teaching, research, and extension and/or service programs, most of who carry joint appointments. The programs are supported by state-of-the-art laboratories, equipment, and trained support and professional staff. The department offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Agronomy, Horticulture, or Environmental Sciences in Agricultural Systems, with Master's or Doctoral graduate students concentrating in Agronomy, Horticulture, or Weed Science.

Area of Specialization:

Soils Fertility

Anticipated Appointment Date:

July 1, 2022

Tenure Track Status:

Tenure Track

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The goal of this position is to develop a nationally recognized research program in the area of soil fertility and nutrient management. The successful candidate will study applied soil fertility in economically important Mississippi crops including corn, cotton, soybean, peanut, rice, etc. Desirable areas of expertise include soil fertility and nutrient management and cropping systems agronomy. The successful candidate will work closely with faculty and staff, within the department, across departments, and at branch stations, within Mississippi State University as well as producer and commodity groups. Regional and multi-state collaboration on research projects and the ability to garner extramural funding to support research efforts is expected. Teaching responsibilities include an undergraduate/graduate level practical nutrient management/farming systems course and the development of one to two additional courses as appropriate. Teaching responsibilities may also include other courses in consultation with the Department Head. Active participation in supervising and training graduate students is also expected. The successful candidate should possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills, demonstrated experience in design and execution of field and laboratory research. Demonstrated publication experience in refereed journals is critical. Service to the department, college, university as well as professional societies is expected.

Minimum Qualifications:

Earned Ph.D. in Soils, Soil Fertility, Soil Chemistry, or a closely related field from an accredited institution of higher learning is required. Students who are ABD will be considered. A strong row crop background and familiarity with modern agricultural production practices, including use of precision agriculture technologies, is preferred. Teaching experience is highly desirable. Applicant must have excellent written and oral communication skills. Demonstrated ability of organizational and leadership skills are important as well as the willingness to address issues in a team environment.

ABDs or degree pending considered (all but DISS):

Yes

Instructions for Applying:

Link to apply: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/

Applicants must apply online at www.jobs.msstate.edu. Additionally, a letter of application, personal C.V., unofficial transcripts (any social security numbers included on requested transcripts should be redacted prior to submission), and names/addresses/emails of at least four (4) professional references should be forwarded to: Dr. Darrin Dodds, Department Head, Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Mississippi State University, Box 9555, Mississippi State, MS 37962. Nominations are encouraged and should be sent to the same address.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

MSU is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, gender identity, status as a U.S. veteran, and/or any other status protected by applicable law. We always welcome nominations and applications from women, members of any minority group, and others who share our passion for building a diverse community that reflects the diversity in our student population.

What do I do if I need an accommodation?

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu .

If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu . Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.