• Assistant Research Professor Non-Tenure Track…

    Montana State University (Bozeman, MT)


    Position Details

    Position Information

    Announcement Number FAC - VA - 26033

    For questions regarding this position, please contact:

    Patrick Secor

     

    406-994-6046

     

    [email protected]

     

    Classification Title Instructor

     

    Working Title Assistant Research Professor Non-Tenure Track Faculty

    Brief Position Overview

    The Assistant Research Professor will lead independent, innovative research on microbial physiology, bacteriophage biology, and microbe–host interactions within the Secor Lab. This position offers the opportunity to drive mechanistic discovery in a collaborative, highly interdisciplinary department supported by state-of-the-art research facilities.

     

    Faculty Tenure Track No

     

    Faculty Rank Non-Tenure Track

     

    Position Number 4B1130

     

    Department Microbiology & Cell Biology

     

    Division College of Agriculture/MAES

     

    Appointment Type Non-Tenure Track

     

    Contract Term Fiscal Year

     

    Semester

     

    If other, specify From date

     

    If other, specify End date

     

    Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining

     

    FTE 0.8

     

    Benefits Eligible Eligible

     

    Salary Salary commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.

     

    Contract Type LOA

     

    If other, please specify

     

    Recruitment Type Open

    Position Details

    General Statement

    The Department of Microbiology & Cell Biology ( MCB ) has strong research programs in cell biology, molecular biology, immunology, microbial pathogenesis, and cell biology supported by state-of-the-art core facilities. Pathogen-containment facilities that accommodate small ( BSL -3 & BSL -2) and large ( ABSL -2) animal research are also available. The Department is part of the College of Agriculture and is a component of the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station ( MAES ). MCB is the primary department at MSU providing pre-medical and pre-veterinary training. The department is home to the Montana Medical Laboratory Science Professional Program, and our faculty participate in both the WWAMI Medical Education Program and the WIMU Regional Program in Veterinary Medicine. The department contributes significantly to MSU’s Center for Biofilm Engineering.

     

    Duties and Responsibilities

    The Research Assistant Professor will:

    + Work independently to develop and carry out research in the areas of:

    + Microbiology,

    + Microbial physiology,

    + Microbe–host interactions.

    + Lead mechanistic studies of bacterial communities, bacteriophages, and their roles in animal hosts using molecular, genetic, cellular, and imaging-based approaches.

    Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

    + A PhD or equivalent terminal degree in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Microbial Ecology, or a related field.

    + The individual must have a strong publication record in areas related to microbial physiology, host–microbe interactions, microbiome research, bacteriophage biology, or related microbial systems.

    Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

    + Demonstrated capability to perform innovative and rigorous research.

    + Ability to identify, analyze, and synthesize relevant scientific literature.

    + Ability to develop a research plan with defined goals and design sound experimental approaches.

    + Proven ability to produce research suitable for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

    + Strong scientific writing skills for manuscripts, reports, and grant proposals.

    + Ability to learn, adapt, and implement emerging experimental techniques.

    + Experience working in a research laboratory environment.

    + Proficiency with standard software (Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Adobe, Prism, etc.).

    + Ability to communicate complex scientific ideas to diverse audiences.

    + Strong collaborative skills and willingness to participate in team-based research.

    + Experience supervising or mentoring trainees.

    + Commitment to maintaining a safe and effective research environment.

    + Ability to achieve project objectives within established timelines.

    + Strong theoretical and empirical foundation in microbiology and microbial physiology.

    + Demonstrated experience with some of the following:

    + Analysis of microbial communities and microbial gene expression.

    + Molecular biology and recombinant DNA techniques.

    + Fluorescence or confocal microscopy.

    + Imaging-based analysis of microbial dynamics.

    + Quantitative biochemical assays.

    + Animal models used to study microbiome or microbe–host interactions.

     

    The Successful Candidate Will

    Preference will be given to applicants with experience in:

    + Microbial or phage-driven modulation of host physiology.

    + High-resolution or live-cell imaging of microbes or host tissues.

    + Immunological assays relevant to microbe–host studies.

    + Characterization of microbial surfaces or secreted proteins.

    + Quantitative analysis of microbial behavior or microbial interactions.

    + Experience working with multiple organismal systems (e.g., vertebrate, invertebrate, or gnotobiotic models).

    + Prior leadership in maintaining specialized laboratory facilities or core resources.

    + Experience conceptualizing or contributing to competitive research proposals.

    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 accommodation. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

     

    The Program

     

    The Department

     

    The College

     

    Posting Detail Information

     

    Number of Vacancies 1

     

    Desired Start Date

     

    Position End Date (if temporary)

     

    Open Date

     

    Close Date

    Applications will be:

    Screening of applications will begin on January 8, 2026; 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.

    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.