Montana State University

Announcement Number FAC - VA - 24008

For questions regarding this position, please contact: 

Kevin McPhee at 406-994-5156 or kevin.mcphee@montana.edu

Classification Title 

Working Title Extension Plant Pathologist - Tenure Track Faculty

Brief Position Overview 

The position is located in the Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology in Bozeman, MT, which has 28 tenure track faculty including plant pathologists, plant breeders, plant physiologists, horticulturalists, entomologists, cereal chemists, and plant molecular biologists. The Department has state-of-the-art laboratory and plant growth facilities. Field research facilities are available both on campus and at 7 MAES Research Centers located strategically throughout the state. The Department offers both M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Plant Pathology and Plant Science. There are currently 50 graduate students and 150 undergraduate majors in the Department.

Faculty Tenure Track Yes

Faculty Rank Tenure Track

Position Number 4B3549

Department Plant Sciences

Division Extension

Appointment Type Faculty

Contract Term Fiscal Year

Semester 

If other, specify From date 

If other, specify End date 

Union Affiliation 

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 

This is a full-time, tenure track renewable fiscal year contract; 80% Extension: 20% research.

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.

Montana State University values diverse perspectives and is committed to continually supporting, promoting and building an inclusive and culturally diverse campus environment. MSU recognizes the importance of work-life integration and strives to be responsive to the needs of dual career couples.

Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe Department seeks an individual who will:

• Develop an outstanding extension education program covering disease management strategies for field crops relevant to Montana agriculture including but not limited to cereal grains, pulse crops and oil seed crops. The extension education program supports and collaborates with the Regional Schutter Diagnostic Laboratory and the Pulse Crop Diagnostic Laboratory. This support and collaboration will include diagnosis and management recommendations for crop disease samples. The extension education program should be supportive of county agents and address the needs of growers, agricultural professionals, agribusiness, trade associations, and the various commodity groups associated with crop responsibilities;
• Develop an applied research program that is innovative and relevant to stakeholder needs and extension responsibilities;
• Participate in the state Integrated Pest Management program;
• Oversee the Regional Pulse Crop Diagnostic Lab;
• Ability to travel extensively across the state to meet clientele needs.

1. Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
2. Doctor of Philosophy degree in Plant Pathology or closely related field.
3. Demonstrated education and/or outreach activities.
4. A record of peer-reviewed publications.
5. Ability and motivation to travel extensively across the state to meet Extension clientele needs.
6. Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
7. Extension, research, and instructional experience in plant disease management.
8. Ability to produce and assimilate research-based information for pest management recommendations.
9. Evidence of productive interactions with industry, agencies, and academic groups.
10. Evidence of participation in externally funded collaborative extension and/or research activities.
11. Ability to develop and direct innovative off-campus train the trainer programs and activities leading to increased trainer capacity in plant disease management.
12. Evidence of potential for successful mentoring of graduate students.
13. Experience in crop production systems.

• The Successful Candidate Will
• Help MSU continue to provide outstanding extension, research, teaching, and service;
• Have strong interpersonal skills including the ability to collaborate successfully with extension and research scientists and educators from MSU’s Extension and MAES faculty, and effectively interface with growers, stakeholders, and students;
• Have excellent written and oral communications skills;
• Work cooperatively with people of diverse backgrounds;
• Ability to travel extensively across Montana.

Position Special Requirements/Additional InformationThis job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but as 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 DemandsTo 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 DepartmentThe Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology has 28 tenure-track faculty including plant pathologists, plant breeders, plant physiologists, horticulturalists, entomologists, cereal chemists, and plant molecular biologists. The Department has state-of-the-art laboratory and plant growth facilities. Field research facilities are available both on campus and at 7 MAES Research Centers located strategically throughout the state. The Department offers both MS and Ph.D. degrees in Plant Pathology and Plant Science. There are currently 50 graduate students and 150 undergraduate majors in the Department.

The CollegeFounded 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 16,000 students, including approximately 2,000 graduate students. MSU is classified as one of 107 U.S. Research Universities (very high research activity) by the Carnegie Foundation.

MSU is located in Bozeman, Montana, an extended community of about 70,000 nestled in the Rocky Mountains in Southwest Montana. In addition to providing access to an extraordinary ecosystem for teaching and research programs, Bozeman is renowned for year-round recreational and cultural opportunities to include access to world class ski areas, multiple blue ribbon trout streams and the Gallatin National Forest. The Bozeman-Yellowstone International Airport is served by several major airlines and is the busiest airport in the state.

Named an All-American City, Bozeman boasts high-quality medical facilities, a very low crime rate, many fine restaurants, acclaimed public and private schools, a symphony orchestra and choir, an annual opera, and nationally known events such as the Sweet Pea Festival of the Arts held in early August of each year. Bozeman is listed as one of National Geographic’s “World’s 25 Best Ski Towns.” Bizjournals.com ranked Bozeman #2 on the list of American Dreamtowns – small towns that offer the best quality of life without metropolitan hassles. The K-12 educational system, growing reputation of Montana State University, and pristine natural environment of the area combine to make Bozeman one of America’s most desirable university towns. Bozeman is located in the beautiful Gallatin Valley, 90 miles north of Yellowstone National Park.

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 on September 30, 2023; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions 

For application documents please upload:

1. A cover letter addressing each of the required and preferred qualifications.
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. A research statement addressing both extension and research interests.

Please note for this position five (5) references are required.

Diversity Statement 

Montana State University values diverse perspectives and is committed to continually supporting, promoting and building an inclusive and culturally diverse campus environment. MSU recognizes the importance of work-life integration and strives to be responsive to the needs of dual career couples.

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.

MSU’s Non-Discrimination Policy and Discrimination Grievance Procedures can be located on the MSU Website: https://www.montana.edu/hr/recruitment/dualcareer.html

FLSA Status Exempt

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