Assistant Professor-Tenure System

Working/Functional Title

Assistant Professor – Forest Pathology

This position includes extension (50%), research (35%), teaching (10%), and service (5%), focusing on pathogens affecting trees in forested and urban forest settings. The successful candidate will develop an integrated research- extension program that is externally funded and nationally and internationally recognized; publish in peer-reviewed journals; and recruit and mentor graduate students. Integrating research and extension activities will include working with multidisciplinary teams of researchers, extension educators, personnel from state and federal agencies, and private landowners.

The successful candidate will advance our fundamental understanding of tree diseases and contribute to developing sustainable, long‑term strategies to manage major forest pathogens affecting forested ecosystems and urban landscapes. Other duties include co‑instructing a course on insects and diseases of forest and shade trees taught annually to seniors majoring in forestry, horticulture, and related programs. Departmental, university and professional service also are expected.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Doctorate - Plant Pathology, Forestry, Natural Resources, or a related field

An earned Ph.D. in Plant Pathology, Forestry, Natural Resources, or a related field, with demonstrated training and expertise in forest pathology. Applicants should have a record of scholarly activities in their field.

Evidence of applied research, successful grants writing, extension experience, and teaching in Forest Pathology will be valued.

Upload the following required documents:

• a) letter of interest that includes your qualifications for the position
• b) a current curriculum vitae
• c) a statement of extension, research, and teaching philosophy and vision that highlights your experience and alignment with our qualifications (3-page maximum)
• d) a description of how you will contribute to CANR’s positive culture, fair access to resources, and creating a sense of belonging (2-page maximum)
• e) contact information for three professional references

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Salary and Benefits: Salary will be commensurate with qualifications. MSU offers a generous benefits package (details at ).

Review of Applications: The search committee will begin reviewing applications on April 7, 2025 and continue until a suitable candidate is selected.

Questions regarding this position can be addressed to the Search Committee Chair:
Dr. Mary Hausbeck, Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA, hausbec1 or by phone, .

05/15/2025

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

Michigan State University boasts more than 175 faculty members in plant science disciplines ranging from genomics to landscape ecology. Cutting across two colleges and five academic departments, research in the Plant Sciences is highly interdisciplinary and collaborative, offering numerous training opportunities for graduate and post‑graduate researchers. Integrated training and research programs provide opportunities to broaden faculty interactions, including access for graduate student support, along with competitive research funding through the state‑funded Project GREEEN.

The Department of Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences, with more than 70 faculty members, is internationally recognized for its diverse research on plant biology, plant diseases, and the role of soil, water, and the environment in sustainable agriculture and ecosystems. The Department of Forestry, formally established in 1902, is a vibrant, growing, internationally recognized unit committed to an interdisciplinary approach to address…