Announcement Number FAC - VA - 25072
For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Questions regarding application procedures may be directed to Charlene Kazmier at 406-994-4250 or charlene.kazmier@montana.edu
Classification Title
Working Title Assistant Professor – Agronomy *Conrad, MT*
Brief Position Overview
This tenure track position (FY 12-month appointment) will be located at the Western Triangle Agricultural Research Center (WTARC) in Conrad, MT. WTARC is one of the seven off-campus research centers in the Department of Research Centers. WTARC consists of 75 acres of rain-fed and irrigated crop land. The research center is located 10 miles north of Conrad (pop. 2,800) and 70 miles north of Great Falls (pop. 60,422) in the agricultural production area known as the “Golden Triangle” of Montana. The Glacier National Park is about 1.5 hour’s drive from the research center and many more outdoor recreational sites nearby.
In addition to on-station research, field-based on-farm research investigations are a priority for WTARC personnel, conducted in seven surrounding counties. Dryland crops in the region include winter wheat, spring wheat, durum, barley, oilseeds, and pulses. Crops on the 300,000+ irrigated acres in the region include malt barley, wheat, canola, and perennial forages. Research activities at WTARC include small grain, oilseed, and pulse crop variety evaluation, fertility management, and integrated pests such as wireworm, orange wheat blossom midge and wheat stem sawfly management. Infrastructure at WTARC includes a new climate-controlled greenhouse, research laboratories, plant and soil sample processing facilities, modern plot-scale research equipment for planting, pest control, harvesting, and soon, a new lateral move irrigation system for research. An advisory board consisting of area producers and industry representatives provides guidance on establishing WTARC research priorities.
Faculty Tenure Track Yes
Faculty Rank TT
Position Number 4B5151
Department AES WTARC
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
General Statement
Montana State University Western Triangle Agricultural Research Center is seeking a motivated individual to apply for a tenure-track assistant professor position (80% Research, 10% Teaching, and 10% Service) focused on agronomic research and outreach associated with cropping systems of the area. This person would be expected to contribute positively to the mission of the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station (MAES).
Montana State University values various perspectives and is committed to continually supporting, promoting and building leaders in research. MSU recognizes the importance of work-life integration and strives to be responsive to the needs of dual career couples.
Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe research assignment of this position is expected to build a field-oriented research program to improve the economic and environmental sustainability of dryland and irrigated crop production systems in the Golden Triangle area of Montana. Research areas may include nutrient management, irrigation and crop water use, and cropping systems for cereal, pulse, oilseed, and alternative crops. Precision agriculture technology and other specialized areas of agronomy may be explored to address the agronomic concerns of the “Golden Triangle”.
Opportunities exist to participate in graduate student mentoring, guest lecturing on campus, and collaboration with other faculty members on MSU campus as well as other research centers. Securing extramural funds from the state, regional and national agencies as well as the agricultural industry will be expected to support the research program. Outreach to producers and other stakeholders and service to the Department, College, University, and scientific community are expected.
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 DemandsThe candidate must be able to:
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 ProgramThis field-oriented research program will evolve through utilizing the expertise of the successful candidate and input from stakeholders and collaborating researchers. The program focus could include examining economically sustainable production systems by evaluating adaptation and management strategies for potential alternative crops and rotations, investigating the impacts of biotic and abiotic factors within cropping systems practiced, examining the effects of unique rotations to enhance sustained crop quality and production, or applying technology to crop management and decision-making within new, intensified, and alternative cropping systems in Montana.
The DepartmentThe Department of Research Centers represents a unique department with faculty and staff that conduct applied field research and outreach programs at seven off-campus research centers (Corvallis, Conrad, Creston, Havre, Huntley, Moccasin, Sidney) throughout Montana. The MAES Research Centers are located strategically to address regional needs for agricultural producers. Graduate students in the department work within on-campus departments (e.g., Plant Sciences & Plant Pathology or Land Resources and Environmental Science) to obtain their degrees.
The CollegeAs the foundational component of Montana’s land grant university at Montana State University, the College of Agriculture (COA) and the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station (MAES) provide instruction in dynamic degree programs and conduct research relevant to the challenges in Montana’s agricultural and natural resource communities. Montana State University set a record for expenditures on research in FY24 at more than $257 million, exceeding the prior year’s total by 12%, and among MSU’s academic colleges, the COA reported the largest research expenditure at $54.1 million. The COA is composed of seven departments and utilizes the entire state for its classroom and research endeavors. We create opportunities for students, staff and faculty to excel through hands-on learning, to serve through campus and community engagement, to explore unique solutions to distinct and interesting questions and to connect Montanans with the global community through research discoveries and outreach.
Number of Vacancies 1
Desired Start Date July 1, 2025
Position End Date (if temporary)
Open Date
Close Date
Applications will be:
Screening of applications will begin on April 07, 2025; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
Special Instructions
To be considered in the pool, apply online by uploading the following:
EEO StatementMontana 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.
FLSA Status Exempt
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