Shire Jobs

Position Details

Position Information

Announcement Number FAC - VA - 25038

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Jed Eberly

jed.eberly@montana.edu

406-423-5421

Classification Title

Working Title Assistant Professor, Agronomy Research and Extension Specialist (Research/Extension) Located in Huntley, MT

Brief Position Overview

The position is located at the Southern Agricultural Research Center ( SARC ) near Huntley, Montana. SARC is one of seven off-campus research centers in the Department of Research Centers. The position is one of three tenure-track positions at SARC . SARC consists of 462 irrigated and dryland acres located in the heart of the Huntley-Worden Irrigation District, which resides along the Yellowstone River approximately 20 miles east of Billings, Montana. The research center has modern field plot equipment, laboratory space, and an environmentally controlled 700 ft2 greenhouse which is shared across research programs. Major commodities in the Yellowstone valley are malt barley, sugar beets, corn, and alfalfa. Winter wheat dominates dryland production in the region but is complemented with pulse and oilseed crops such as pea, lentil, chickpea, camelina, canola, mustard, and safflower.

Faculty Tenure Track Yes

Faculty Rank TT

Position Number 4B4293

Department AES SARC

Division College of Agriculture/MAES

Appointment Type Faculty

Contract Term Fiscal Year

Semester

If other, specify From date

If other, specify End date

Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining

FTE 1.0

Benefits Eligible Eligible

Salary Salary commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.

Contract Type MUS

If other, please specify

Recruitment Type Open

Position Details

General Statement

The department seeks a collaborative colleague who will embrace a multidisciplinary approach to help solve field scale production questions in crops and conventional cropping systems relevant to the highly productive dryland and irrigated cropping systems in southcentral Montana. The successful candidate shall have a broad knowledge or interest in agronomy such as cropping systems, nutrient management, irrigation management, pest and disease control, and precision farming. This is a 12-month tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant Professor level with extension (45%), research (45%), and service (10%) responsibilities funded by the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station and MSU Extension.

We seek individuals who work professionally and effectively with diverse individuals, possess effective interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills and have the ability to contribute positively to the academic success of the students and the mission of Montana State University.

Duties and Responsibilities

The successful candidate is expected to develop a team-oriented applied research and Extension

education program that enhances direct application of research knowledge to create positive and sustainable outcomes within the highly productive dryland and irrigated cropping systems of southcentral Montana. Research should address field crop management that increases productivity and profits for Montana producers while protecting the natural resources of the region. Examples of important research areas may include irrigation management, exploration of alternative crops, nutrient efficiency improvement, improvement of pest and disease control, and application of precision agriculture and are not limited to research and Extension needs through discussions with stakeholders, MSU faculty members, producers, and industry Field research is to be done both on-station and on-farm through demonstration and/or research trials in farmers’ fields.

The program must support and address the needs of growers, county Extension agents, agribusinesses and the various commodity groups associated with crop enterprises. Cooperation in providing agronomic in-service education to county and state Extension Faculty and staff and Certified Crop Advisors is expected.

Opportunities exist to participate in graduate student education. Securing extramural funds

from state, regional, and national sources, as well as the agricultural industry will be necessary to provide adequate program support.

Service responsibilities include departmental and University service, participation in professional societies, and engagement with the community consistent with the missions of a Land Grant University Montana Agricultural Experiment Station, and Extension.

Close collaboration with colleagues across scientific disciplines is expected. Our research and Extension network includes the greater Department of Research Centers, on-campus departments of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences, and Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology, campus and county-based Extension Faculty. Engagement with stakeholders, Extension Faculty and staff, and Research Centers to inform discovery about cropping systems in the context of managed systems is an important component of this position. The position is expected to communicate research findings in oral and written formats, including refereed publications and impactful Extension materials The successful individual will provide expertise in other research programs in the Department, College and MAES , and Extension as appropriate.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Ph.D. in agronomy, crop science, soil science, or a closely related field, at time of hire;

• Record of designing, conducting, analyzing and publishing agricultural field scale research;

• Publication record of peer-reviewed journal articles and outreach materials commensurate with training and experience;

• Experience interacting and exchanging knowledge with agricultural groups (producers, crop advisers, Extension Agents, etc.) and other stakeholder groups;

• Demonstrated potential to write grant proposals and secure funding.

  Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Postdoctoral experience;

• Experience with farmer field demonstration trials;

• Research and Extension or outreach experiences in both irrigated and rainfed cropping system;

• Strong leadership potential or experience;

• Experience with managing web-based communications and providing research-based data delivery to the public.

  The Successful Candidate Will

Be an engaging scientist and Extension specialist who will:

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams;

• Excellent oral and written communication skills;

• Demonstrated ability to interact/collaborate across academic disciplines and with people from different cultures, both within the university and with external constituents;

• Help MSU continue to provide innovative and impactful agricultural research;

• Develop a successful and interdisciplinary agronomic research and extension education program addressing the needs in Montana agricultural sectors.

  Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Physical Demands

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

The Program

The Department

The Department of Research Centers represents a unique department with faculty and staff that conduct applied research and Extension programs at seven off-campus research centers throughout Montana. The MAES Research Centers are located strategically throughout the state to address regional needs for agricultural producers. Graduate students in the department work within other departments (e.g. Plant Sciences & Plant Pathology, Land Resources and Environmental Science) to obtain their degrees.

The College

The College Founded in 1893 as a Land Grant University, Montana State University ( MSU ) is composed of nine academic colleges and a graduate school and boasts a friendly, supportive faculty and campus environment. Currently, the University hosts an enrollment of over 17,000 students, including approximately 2,000 graduate students. MSU is classified as R1 in the Carnegie Classification for “very high research activity,” making it one of only 131 universities nationwide in that category.

MSU Extension improves the lives of Montana citizens by providing unbiased research-based education and information that integrates learning, discovery and engagement to strengthen the social, economic and environmental well-being of individuals, families, and communities.

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies 1

Desired Start Date Upon completion of a successful search

Position End Date (if temporary)

Open Date

Close Date

Applications will be:

Screening of applications will begin December 2, 2024. However, applications will continue to be accepted until a robust applicant pool is established.

Special Instructions

To apply, please upload the following documents:

• A cover letter specifically addressing each of the Required and Preferred Qualifications.

• Curriculum Vita.

• Contact information for three (3) references, including direct supervisors.

  EEO Statement

Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.

In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.