Assistant Professor - Crop Resilience to Environmental Stress

About UMass Amherst

The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity.

About the Stockbridge School of Agriculture

The Stockbridge School of Agriculture (SSA) plays a vital role in advancing the College’s and University’s strategic goals in agriculture, horticulture and soils through three focus areas: soil and environmental health; sustainable farming and landscapes; and plant health. SSA functions as a full University department.

Job Description

The Stockbridge School of Agriculture at the University of Massachusetts Amherst invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position of Crops Resiliency to Environmental Stresses. This position is a full-time, 9-month appointment with a distribution of responsibilities including 50% research, 30% teaching, and 20% service.

We seek a highly motivated individual who will establish a nationally and internationally recognized research and teaching program addressing how crops respond and adapt to multiple environmental stresses such as drought, heat, salinity, pathogens, pollutants and nutrient deficiencies.

Instructional responsibilities will include teaching undergraduate and graduate courses related to plant biotechnology, crop improvements, plant stress biology, and agricultural sciences.

Qualifications

• A Ph.D. in Crop Sciences, Crop stress Physiology, Plant Biology, Crop Biotechnology/ Molecular Biology, Plant Biochemistry, Horticulture or related fields.
• Demonstrated potential for research excellence in molecular techniques applied to crop stress responses.
• Evidence of scholarly productivity, including publications in reputable journals and presentations at conferences.
• Experience or potential in securing external research funding.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Postdoctoral research experience with demonstrated evidence of strong research productivity.
• Experience with gene editing technologies (e.g., CRISPR-Cas) in crops including fruits and vegetable crops.
• Experience working with crop species under abiotic or biotic stress conditions.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate research with teaching and outreach.
• Teaching experience at the undergraduate and/or graduate level, with evidence of effective instruction and mentorship.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. The university is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse academic environment.