Assistant Professor - Plant Health & Microbe Interactions

Overview

9-month, full time, tenure-track Assistant Professor in Plant Health and Plant-Microbe Interactions, with a focus on innovative and sustainable approaches to managing plant diseases. We are seeking talented applicants qualified for an assistant professor position. Under exceptional circumstances, highly qualified candidates at other ranks may receive consideration.

This position is vital to addressing the growing challenges in plant disease management, especially as climate change intensifies the emergence and spread of pathogens in both agricultural and urban landscape systems.

The successful candidate will be expected to develop a nationally and internationally recognized research program that integrates fundamental investigations of plant-microbe interactions with applied, translational approaches that deliver field-level disease management solutions. Emphasis should be placed on horticultural and specialty crops of economic importance to Massachusetts and the New England region. Areas of research may include—but are not limited to—host resistance, biocontrol, plant-soil-microbe interactions, advanced diagnostic and genomic technologies, and precision disease management.

Candidates with demonstrated expertise in applying cutting-edge techniques (e.g., molecular genomics, computational, AI/machine learning tools, and/or precision agriculture technologies) to address both basic mechanisms and practical disease management challenges are especially encouraged to apply. The candidate is expected to collaborate with SSA faculty across disciplines, faculty from other departments, UMass Extension educators, farmers, and other stakeholders to generate and disseminate research-based, practical solutions for emerging and economically significant plant diseases in Massachusetts and the New England region.

This position will also strengthen SSA’s cross-disciplinary capacity in plant-microbe-soil systems and contribute to the resilience of regional food and landscape systems.

• Ph.D. in Plant Pathology, Plant Biology, Horticulture, or a closely related field (required by appointment start date).
• Postdoctoral experience or equivalent research experience is desirable.
• Demonstrated expertise in plant health, disease ecology, or plant-microbe interactions.
• Evidence of research productivity (publications, presentations, grants).
• Experience or potential for securing extramural funding.
• Teaching experience or potential to teach and mentor effectively at the undergraduate and graduate level.
• Excellent communication and collaborative skills.

The expected start date of this position is September 1, 2026.

Information for prospective faculty: https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./

It is expected that the salary range for this position is between $79,350 and $116,002.

• The low-end of the pay range in all faculty searches at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is the minimum salary for the rank included in the collective bargaining agreement between the University and the Massachusetts Society of Professors, UMass Amherst/MTA/NEA.
• The high-end of the pay range reflects an increase above the median of salaries at this rank within the department for faculty who may have multiple years of faculty experience.
• The specific pay for this position will be determined by the University based on consideration of all relevant factors when and if it decides to extend and offer of employment.

Along with the application, please submit:
1) a cover letter outlining qualifications and interest in the position,
2) curriculum vitae (CV) detailing education, professional experience, publications, grants, and awards,
3) a statement of teaching philosophy and goals, and
4) statement of research interests and goals.

Review of applicants will begin November 15, 2025
, and will continue until the ideal candidate is identified. Questions can be directed to the search committee chair, Dr. Geunhwa Jung (jung).

Candidates may be invited to describe how their work aligns with the university’s…