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Position Details

Position Information

Announcement Number FAC - VA - 26016

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Rebekah VanWieren

[email protected]

406-994-7539

Classification Title

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 Yes

Faculty Rank TT

Position Number 4A3049

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 $78,000 - $80,000 annually, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications

Contract Type MUS

If other, please specify

Recruitment Type Open

Position Details

General Statement

Founded in 1893 as a Land Grant University, Montana State University (http://www.montana.edu/) ( 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.

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 ) (https://plantsciences.montana.edu/) 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

Posting Detail Information

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

To be considered in the pool, apply online by uploading the following:

+ Curriculum Vitae

+ Cover letter

+ 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.