Position Details Position Information Announcement Number FAC - VA - 25015 For questions regarding this position, please contact: Alan Dyeradyer@montana.edu406-994-6535Classification Title Working Title Assistant Professor in Precision Agriculture Brief Position Overview MSU’s College of Agriculture seeks an Assistant Professor with a strong background in one or more precision-agriculture-related areas such as agronomy, plant sciences, agricultural engineering/technology, digital agricultural data science, grower decision-support, agricultural economics, on-farm research, artificial intelligence, soil, spatial, and/or pest science. The successful candidate will design, conduct, and interpret a wide range of studies relevant to their field of expertise in precision agriculture to address Montana relevant agricultural challenges. The ability to develop and teach relevant courses, engage in outreach, supervise students and seasonal staff, and communicate with constituents in all backgrounds is also required. Statistical analysis, report writing, and presentation skills are essential. This position is one of a group of recent precision-agriculture-focused hires in the College and the successful candidate will collaborate closely with agronomy, grower decision-support, plant, and spatial-science colleagues, and other scientific disciplines.Faculty Tenure Track Yes Faculty Rank TT Position Number 4A3824 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 Salary commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications. Contract Type MUS If other, please specify Recruitment Type Open Position Details General Statement The Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology is searching for a scholar who focuses on Precision Agriculture in the context of agronomy. This includes but is not limited to research and teaching interests in engineering/technology, high throughput phenotyping, database development and management, grower decision-support, or spatial science within an expectation of on-farm research. This position is one of a group of recent precision-agriculture-focused hires in the College and the successful candidate will collaborate closely with agronomy, grower decision-support, plant, and spatial-science colleagues, and other scientific disciplines.Duties and Responsibilities Duties include a combination of research, teaching, and service. A commitment to excellence in teaching and an active research program with extramural funding are essential, along with the integration of research, teaching, and/or service as applicable. We are accepting applications from candidates whose tenurable home will be in the Plant Science Department and whose scholarly expertise addresses Precision Agriculture. Instructional responsibilities will include teaching lower division, upper division, and in some cases, graduate courses within the scholar’s area of expertise, as well as advising and mentoring graduate and undergraduate students. Service includes department, college, and university committee work and participation in professional organizations.Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
Terminal degree in Agronomy, Plant Sciences, or appropriate agriculture related program by start of appointment.
Demonstrated excellence in research in an area of Precision Agriculture.
Demonstrated excellence in teaching in an area relevant to Precision Agriculture.
Evidence of potential for undergraduate and graduate mentorship.
Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
Evidence of strong statistical and data management skills related to precision agriculture.
Experience working with, teaching, or mentoring students from all backgrounds to succeed.
Previous teaching or extension experience at the university level with a high level of effectiveness.
Demonstrated ability to write grant proposals and secure extramural funding.
Experience interacting with stakeholders.
Experience with field research trials.
The Successful Candidate Will
Have an appreciation for and add to the College’s commitment to supporting students from all backgrounds.
Contribute to the College of Agriculture mission of providing outstanding teaching, research, and extension.
Have strong oral and written communication skills, and effective interpersonal skills.
Have the ability to collaborate productively with students, staff, and faculty at MSU .
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 Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology has 28 tenure track faculty including plant pathologists, plant breeders, plant physiologists, horticulturalists, entomologists, cereal chemists, and plant molecular biologists. The Department has state-of-the-art laboratory and plant growth facilities. Field research facilities are available both on campus and at seven MAES Research Centers located strategically throughout the state. The Department offers both MS and PhD degrees in Plant Pathology and Plant Science. There are currently 20 MS and 30 Ph.D. graduate students and more than 150 undergraduate students in the Department.https://plantsciences.montana.edu The College Posting Detail Information Number of Vacancies 1 Desired Start Date January 1, or August 15, 2025 Position End Date (if temporary) Open Date Close Date Applications will be: Screening of applications will begin on October 22, 2024; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.Special Instructions Candidates must submit the following:
A cover letter detailing how the candidate’s scholarly work and lived experiences meet the required and preferred qualifications.
Curriculum Vitae.
Research Statement that describes the candidate’s research in the discipline, with specific attention to how the candidate’s research addresses the precision agriculture and has the potential to advance MT agriculture via independent and collaborative research at MSU .
Teaching or Extension Statement that describes the candidate’s approach to teaching/outreach in the discipline, with specific attention to strategies for mentoring and supporting students from underserved communities OR engaging and fostering extension clients from rural communities.
Three references (name, phone number, and email) that can address each of the candidate’s potential areas of responsibility (research, teaching or extension, and service).
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.
