The departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Horticulture, and Plant Biology in collaboration with the newly created Plant Resilience Institute at Michigan State University are inviting applications for three tenure-system positions. These positions are part of MSU’s Global Impact Initiative, designed to address the grand challenges through the creation of over 100 new faculty positions in some of the most promising and exciting fields of research. MSU has a world-class plant science community and support infrastructure comprising more than 150 faculty members conducting a wide range of plant research spanning the lab-to- field continuum in both natural and agricultural ecosystems.
The mission of the Plant Resilience Institute (PRI) is to conduct basic laboratory and field research on plant resilience with the goal of improving the productivity and nutritional quality of agronomic and horticultural crops. Research programs center on mechanisms that enhance plant resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses associated with changing environmental conditions. The PRI is an interdisciplinary cross- departmental program, with PRI members belonging to a range of home departments. The following academic departments are inviting applications from individuals working on various aspects of plant resilience. The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology invites applications for a position at the Assistant or Associate Professor level from individuals addressing fundamental aspects of plant response and adaptation to global environmental change. Specific research areas of interest include, but are not limited to, environmental signal transduction and mechanisms of plant stress tolerance to biotic stresses, water deficit, high salinity, nutrient deprivation, and temperature extremes. Candidates whose research program integrates a broad spectrum of biochemical, molecular, and genomic technologies, including gene-editing approaches applied to model or agriculturally relevant plants, are especially encouraged to apply. Applicants should provide a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a 2- to-3-page statement of current and future research interests, a brief description of teaching philosophy, and the names of three persons who can provide a letter of reference. The complete application package should be compiled into a single PDF document and submitted through the MSU Human Resources site at http://careers.msu.edu/ (posting #468293). To ensure full consideration, applications should be submitted by November 15, 2017. Questions regarding this position may be emailed to Professor Gregg Howe, search chair, at ho...@msu.edu. The Department of Horticulture invites applications for Assistant or Associate Professor from individuals using innovative experimental approaches to study fundamental plant responses to the environment with a focus on abiotic and biotic constraints relevant to horticultural crop productivity. The department seeks applicants with expertise in areas including, but not limited to, the impacts of temperature extremes, elevated carbon dioxide, water stress and other environmental factors on vegetative and reproductive development, particularly growth cycle/dormancy regulation, nutrient utilization, and plant-rhizosphere/- phyllosphere interactions. Qualified applicants should submit: a letter of application including a personal statement; curriculum vitae; summary of research accomplishments and future research objectives; description of teaching experience and interests; summary of experience or philosophy fostering diversity and inclusion in your professional roles; and contact information (address, e-mail and phone) for three references. The complete application package should be compiled into a single PDF document and submitted through the MSU Human Resources site at http://careers.msu.edu/ (posting #465448). Review of application will begin November 15, 2017 and continue until the position is filled. Questions can be directed to Professor Rebecca Grumet, search chair, at gru...@msu.edu. The Department of Plant Biology invites applications for an Assistant Professor position from individuals using physiological approaches to study fundamental problems in plant resilience to environmental conditions. We seek applicants addressing compelling research questions within the broad area of ecophysiology, including studies from the whole-plant to the ecosystem scale. These questions should focus on plant resilience to abiotic or biotic stresses including, but not limited to, temperature extremes, drought, flooding, nutrient stress, and biotic interactions. The Department of Plant Biology includes vibrant research programs in molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, metabolism, plant-microbe interactions, genomics, computational biology, systematics, evolutionary biology and ecology. Applicants should compile a cover letter, curriculum vitae, summary of research accomplishments and future objectives, and a brief description of teaching philosophy and goals into a single PDF. This PDF and contact information for three references should be submitted at careers.msu.edu/ (posting #468542). Review of applications will begin November 15, and continue until a suitable candidate is identified. Questions regarding this position may be emailed to Professor Jeffrey Conner, search chair, at conn...@msu.edu. For all three positions we are seeking candidates who show exceptional promise to develop internationally recognized research programs that are externally funded and address compelling research questions relevant to plant resilience. In addition, the successful candidate will contribute to teaching at the graduate and/or undergraduate level and actively participate in professional service activities. Applicants must have a Ph.D. and postdoctoral experience, and a strong record of research accomplishments.