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 [email protected].
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
[email protected].
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 [email protected].
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.
