Job Description

The department seeks a collaborative colleague who will embrace a multidisciplinary approach to understand the consequences of agricultural nutrient management practices and processes that affect soil nutrient cycling. The successful candidate will have expertise in soil chemistry, soil biogeochemistry, or a closely related soil science field. This is a nine-month (academic year), tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant Professor level with research (65%), teaching (25%), and service (10%) responsibilities funded by the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station and the College of Agriculture.

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 Responsibilities
Research responsibilities include developing a regionally and nationally recognized program focused on soil nutrient management and nutrient dynamics in agricultural settings. The position requires a strong background in soil chemistry, biogeochemistry, soil science, and agronomy, excellent capacity to communicate with regional agricultural producers and stakeholders, and the ability to conceive, design and carry out a wide range of soil and cropping studies on both traditional and novel topics. Examples of important research areas include, but are not limited to: soil acidification, nutrient use efficiency, soil organic matter dynamics, nutrient cycling, and sustainable fertilizer practices. Expertise in statistical analysis, scientific writing for a variety of audiences, and oral presentation skills are essential. Close collaboration with colleagues across scientific disciplines is expected. Our research network includes seven Agricultural Research Centers across Montana, and our college and department include a strong Extension component. Engagement with stakeholders, Extension staff, and Research Centers to inform discovery about soil nutrient dynamics in the context of managed systems is an important component of this position.

The successful candidate will develop an excellent teaching and mentoring program, including teaching undergraduate and/or graduate courses in subjects such as environmental biogeochemistry, environmental analytical chemistry, and nutrient cycling, depending on departmental teaching needs. Responsibilities include undergraduate curricular advising, undergraduate research advising, and training of graduate students. The hiring department has a strong history of securing extramural funding to support graduate students. Service responsibilities include departmental citizenship, participation in professional societies, and engagement with the community consistent with the missions of a Land Grant University and the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station.

Required Qualifications \xe2\x80\x93 Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
Ph.D. in soil chemistry, soil biogeochemistry, or a closely related soil science field
Record of conducting research on soil nutrient management and/or soil nutrient cycling in agricultural settings
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
Demonstrated potential for excellence in undergraduate and graduate instruction and mentoring
Evidence of strong oral communication skills
Evidence of strong written communication skills including a publication record of peer-reviewed journal articles

Preferred Qualifications \xe2\x80\x93 Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams
Research and outreach experience in semi-arid regions
Strong analytical chemistry skills
Demonstrated ability and desire to interact across academic disciplines and cultural diversity, both within the university and with external constituents.

The Successful Candidate Will
Be a dynamic scientist and educator who will: i) help MSU continue to provide outstanding teaching, scholarship, engagement, and service in meeting the goals of the MSU Strategic Plan, ii) have effective interpersonal skills including the ability to collaborate successfully with faculty, students, and stakeholders; and iii) demonstrate commitment to integrating an understanding of the experiences of underrepresented groups into research, teaching, engagement, and service.

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\xe2\x80\x99s 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 Land Resources and Environmental Sciences (LRES) is in the College of Agriculture at Montana State University. Our work spans land resources and environmental science and management, and includes cutting-edge, innovative teaching, fundamental and applied research, and highly effective outreach and service to a broad range of public and private entities. Our faculty offer broad expertise related to soils, microorganisms, insects, plants, climate and water to achieve an integrated multi-scale and multi-disciplinary approach to understanding and managing ecosystems. We address issues related to natural and managed landscapes such as cropland, rangeland, forests, reclaimed land, polar and geothermal environments, and protected natural areas, with fundamental and applied investigations in agriculture, environmental science, land management, and natural resources. We advance scientific understanding across spatial and temporal scales, and apply this understanding for effective land management, informed adoption of sustainability practices, and broad education of students in preparation for careers in the agricultural and environmental sciences. LRES consists of 35 research and teaching faculty, about 250 undergraduate students, 25 thesis M.S., 110 online MS, 25 Ph.D. graduate students, and 40 technical and postdoctoral scientists, and has a strong tradition of interdisciplinary collaboration within the department and across the institution and State. The Department is supported through the College of Agriculture, the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station, and the Extension Service, which work together to generate and disseminate knowledge and technological solutions to increase the competitiveness of Montana agricultural and natural resource enterprises.

The College
MSU was founded in 1893 as the Agricultural College of the State of Montana. Today, the College of Agriculture is an integral part of fulfilling MSU\xe2\x80\x99s land grant mission to provide a liberal, practical education to the sons and daughters of Montana. As part of the College of Agriculture, the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station (MAES) conducts research on old and new challenges for Montana\xe2\x80\x99s agricultural community. MAES creates opportunities for students 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.
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 on January 20, 2023; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions
Contact information of three professional references must be provided on the online application form. Please prioritize references with whom you have had the most extensive direct professional interactions. We will only contact references for applicants rated in the top tier.

To apply, please upload:
1. Cover Letter addressing each of the Required and Preferred Qualifications (max 2 pages). Applications that don\xe2\x80\x99t address each qualification will not be considered further.
2. A statement of your vision of future research (two-page limit)
3. A statement of your teaching philosophy including the mentorship of undergraduate and graduate students (two-page limit)
4. A current curriculum vita. On multi-author and multi-PI articles and grant proposals, briefly indicate your role.

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.

Montana State University is committed to providing a working and learning environment free from discrimination. As such, the University does not discriminate in the admission, access to or conduct of its educational programs and activities nor in its employment policies and practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, creed, service in the uniformed services (as defined in state and federal law), veteran status, gender, age, political beliefs, marital or family status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation or preference. In support of the University\xe2\x80\x99s mission to be inclusive and diverse, applications from qualified minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities are highly encouraged.

Montana State University makes accommodation for any known disability that may interfere with an applicant\xe2\x80\x99s ability to compete in the hiring process or an employee\xe2\x80\x99s ability to perform the duties of the job. To request an accommodation, contact the Human Resources Office, PO Box 172520, Montana State University, Bozeman MT 59717-2520; 406-994-3651; recruitment@montana.edu .

In compliance with the Montana Veteran\xe2\x80\x99s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran\xe2\x80\x99s preference please complete the veteran\xe2\x80\x99s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.

MSU\xe2\x80\x99s Non-Discrimination Policy and Discrimination Grievance Procedures can be located on the MSU Website: https://www.montana.edu/hr/recruitment-guidelines/affirmative_action_plan.html
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