Assistant/Associate/Full Professor Tenure System

Position Summary

The search committee will begin reviewing applications on February 7, 2025. Questions regarding this position can be addressed to the Search Committee Chair: Dr. Nick Haddad, W.K. Kellogg Biological Station, haddad@kbs.msu.edu. 

The W.K. Kellogg Biological Station (KBS) and the Department of Plant Soil and Microbial Sciences (PSM) at Michigan State University invite applications for a full?time, tenure-system faculty position in ecosystem ecology, with a 75% research, 15% teaching, and 10% service assignment. The position start date is anticipated to be August 15, 2025. Final appointment in the tenure system could be at an Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, or full Professor rank. Final appointment will be commensurate with the successful applicant’s experience. This position is part of MSU’s Global Impact Initiative, designed to address grand challenges in some of the most promising and exciting fields of research.

Applicants should have expertise in terrestrial ecosystem ecology, with interests and experience in agricultural systems and landscapes. The position will underpin the continued success and growth of fundamental research in agricultural ecology at KBS and PSM. We seek an interactive individual who complements a diverse group of ecologists and evolutionary biologists at a world-renowned field station (W.K. Kellogg Biological Station – Michigan State University) and a multidisciplinary group of faculty at PSM (Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences). The successful candidate will have many collaborative opportunities in long-term agroecosystem experiments, including the KBS Long Term Ecological Research site (LTER), the KBS Long Term Agroecosystem Research site (LTAR), and the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC).

The position will be based at KBS and jointly appointed in PSM, further strengthening a longstanding partnership. In addition to KBS and PSM faculty, there are outstanding opportunities to collaborate with colleagues in the Departments of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences; Earth and Environmental Sciences; Forestry; Fisheries and Wildlife; Integrative Biology; Microbiology, Genetics, and Immunology; Entomology; and Plant Biology; and broadly through the cross-college Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior (EEB) and Environmental Science and Policy (ESPP) graduate programs.

Teaching will include an undergraduate or graduate course taught at MSU’s main campus in East Lansing, graduate and postdoctoral training, and participation in KBS and PSM academic programs. Service will include participation in departmental committees, university-wide initiatives, national networks (e.g., LTAR and LTER), academic community, and international programs, as appropriate.

The W.K. Kellogg Biological Station: KBS is a world-renowned biological field station located 65 miles from the MSU main campus (http://kbs.msu.edu/) that facilitates observational, experimental, and theoretical approaches to research and training ranging from molecules to ecosystems. Although several of the 13 resident faculty members are appointed in CANR, most are appointed in the College of Natural Sciences (CNS; http://natsci.msu.edu/), which forms the basis of the joint appointment of this advertised position. KBS scholarship integrates fundamental research in ecology and evolution in the field with application of this fundamental knowledge to sustainable agriculture, restoration, and conservation, with a strong focus on climate change and interactions among organisms across the tree of life. KBS, which is located on the premier inland lake in southern Michigan, is unique in the integration of 1800 hectares of land representative of the diverse aquatic and terrestrial habitats of the region with >60,000 sq. ft. of research buildings, including state-of-the-art laboratory, genomics, growth chamber, and greenhouse facilities.

The Department of Plant Soil and Microbial Sciences: PSM is a multi-disciplinary department with faculty primarily appointed in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR; http://www.canr.msu.edu/). Opportunities exist to interact with members of the Plant Resilience Institute, and other interdepartmental programs including Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biotechnology, Molecular Plant Sciences, Environmental and Integrative Toxicological Sciences, EEB, and ESPP. Appointed faculty will also be affiliated with MSU AgBioResearch (http://agbioresearch.msu.edu/). To support these activities, numerous collaborative opportunities at MSU in the areas of genetics, microbiology, molecular ecology, agronomy, plant pathology, plant science, and food science are available.

Location: The position will be based at W.K. Kellogg Biological Station in Hickory Corners, MI, USA. KBS is located near Kalamazoo, MI, a diverse metropolitan region of >150,000 people that is home to many of the amenities of a larger city, perhaps most notably in the arts (Home - KalamazooArts.org). The Michigan State University campus is located in East Lansing, MI, USA. MSU is one of the top research universities in the world and home to nationally ranked and recognized academic, residential college, and service-learning programs. Like KBS, MSU is a diverse community of dedicated students and scholars, and scientists that provide regional, national, and international leadership in basic and applied research and excellence in teaching. In addition, consistent with its Land Grant origins, the MSU community pursues international engagement and provides strong extension programs that partner with diverse stakeholders to provide much needed research in the areas of food, energy, water and the environment. The University is proactive about its obligations under the ADA, and provides individual accessibility plans to students and employees with disabilities. Michigan State University is also proactive in exploring opportunities for employment for dual career families, both inside and outside the University, and respects all family forms. Information about MSU’s dual career and other support can be found at http://worklife.msu.edu/

Commitment to Creating a Sense of Belonging: The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University is committed to achieving excellence by creating and sustaining an accessible and inclusive culture that values cultural and academic diversity. We are an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer. The CANR is particularly interested in candidates of all backgrounds who are committed to the principle that academic excellence is achieved through open access and proactive inclusion. Candidates are invited to view W.K. Kellogg Biological Station community norms at https://www.kbs.msu.edu/ and Plant Soil and Microbial Sciences norms at https://www.canr.msu.edu/psm/ . 

Salary and Benefits: Salary will be commensurate with qualifications. MSU offers a generous benefits package (details at https://hr.msu.edu/benefits/index.html)

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

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.

Required Degree

Doctorate -ecology, soil science, plant biology, microbiology, agronomy, geography, environmental science, or a related field

Minimum Requirements

An earned Ph.D. in ecology, soil science, plant biology, microbiology, agronomy, geography, environmental science, or a related field. A demonstrated record of activities in teaching, research, Extension/outreach, and service relevant to the position. Currently holds a principal investigator level position.

Desired Qualifications

Impactful scholarship, a compelling vision for future research, a record of outreach to broader audiences including communities that are under-served in science, and other evidence of scholarly achievements. We are especially interested in candidates who, through their research, teaching, mentorship, and/or service, will contribute to the diversity and excellence of the KBS, PSM, and broader academic community. Successful grant writing, peer-reviewed publications, and other appropriate scientifically credible products will be important criteria for meeting the position's research expectations.

Required Application Materials

Upload the following required documents: a) a cover letter describing the applicant’s interest in the position b) current curriculum vitae; c) contact information for four references; (4) a statement of research and mentoring accomplishments and future research directions (up to 3 pages); and (5) a statement of education and outreach interests and experience (up to 2 pages). The research and education statements should include descriptions of the applicant's past and planned commitment to promoting diversity, inclusion, and equity in research, teaching, and outreach.

Special Instructions

Review of Applications: The search committee will begin reviewing applications on February 7, 2025.

Questions regarding this position can be addressed to the Search Committee Chair: Dr. Nick Haddad, W.K. Kellogg Biological Station, haddad@kbs.msu.edu. 

Website

kbs.msu.edu

Department Statement

MSU is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential. We actively encourage applications from, and nominations of, women, persons of color, veterans, persons with disabilities and other individuals who can contribute to the intellectual diversity and cultural richness at Michigan State University. MSU is committed to providing a work environment that supports employees’ work and personal life, and MSU offers employment assistance to the spouse or partner of candidates for faculty and academic staff positions.

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.

Required Degree

Doctorate -ecology, soil science, plant biology, microbiology, agronomy, geography, environmental science, or a related field

Minimum Requirements

An earned Ph.D. in ecology, soil science, plant biology, microbiology, agronomy, geography, environmental science, or a related field. A demonstrated record of activities in teaching, research, Extension/outreach, and service relevant to the position. Currently holds a principal investigator level position.

Desired Qualifications

Impactful scholarship, a compelling vision for future research, a record of outreach to broader audiences including communities that are under-served in science, and other evidence of scholarly achievements. We are especially interested in candidates who, through their research, teaching, mentorship, and/or service, will contribute to the diversity and excellence of the KBS, PSM, and broader academic community. Successful grant writing, peer-reviewed publications, and other appropriate scientifically credible products will be important criteria for meeting the position's research expectations.

Required Application Materials

Upload the following required documents: a) a cover letter describing the applicant’s interest in the position b) current curriculum vitae; c) contact information for four references; (4) a statement of research and mentoring accomplishments and future research directions (up to 3 pages); and (5) a statement of education and outreach interests and experience (up to 2 pages). The research and education statements should include descriptions of the applicant's past and planned commitment to promoting diversity, inclusion, and equity in research, teaching, and outreach.