Founded in 1893 as a Land Grant University, Montana State University (MSU) is composed of eight academic colleges and a graduate school and boasts a friendly, supportive faculty and campus environment. Currently, the University hosts an enrollment of over 14,000 students, including approximately 1,900 graduate students. MSU is classified as one of 108 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 local airport is served by four national airlines and is the second 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. Powder Magazine identified Bozeman, with "three distinctly different" major ski resorts within an hour's drive, as the number one place to live and ski in its November 2010 Magazine. 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.

The MSU Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology (PSPP) Department offers B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Plant Sciences with a current enrollment of 134 undergraduate and 15 graduate students. Among the eight diverse undergraduate options offered by PSPP, approximately 10 students major in Crop Science, 40 in Environmental Horticulture Science, and 30 in the Sustainable Crop Production option of the interdisciplinary Sustainable Food and Bioenergy Systems (SFBS) program. The Department is housed in a state-of-the-art building and faculty and students have ready access to the MSU Plant Growth Center, a 10-acre Horticulture Farm that includes a three-acre market garden field research farm (townesharvest.montana.edu), and a 250-acre agronomic research farm.

The PSPP Department conducts research and teaches in the broad areas of agronomy, plant biology, plant pathology, genetics, horticulture, and landscape design. It is one of four departments from the Colleges of Agriculture and Education, Health, and Human Development that participate in and contribute to the Sustainable Food and Bioenergy Systems program. The SFBS program was initiated in 2009, and growing enrollments coupled with increasing institutional and statewide support have allowed the creation of this new position, which focuses on small farm/market garden agronomy and horticultural enterprises.

The successful candidate will develop an innovative and collaborative teaching program relevant to the missions of the Department, College and University. Instructional responsibilities include three 3-credit courses annually relating to small-scale agronomy, integrated pest management, and field crop production plus one additional course to be developed, depending on the candidate’s expertise and interests. These courses may involve collaborative and interdisciplinary efforts. The successful candidate will also advise undergraduate and graduate students in academic and research/creative activities that relate to sustainable small-scale agronomy.

This tenure-track position requires that the successful candidate develop a focused program of research/creative activity directed at solving issues in sustainable small-scale agronomy relevant to Montana and the region. Possible research areas include but are not limited to: season extension, soil fertility/nutrient cycling, plant nutritional content, development of best management practices and variety development. Collaborative research is encouraged. This individual will support his/her research with extramural funding and publish original research in refereed journals and other appropriate venues. S/he will be expected to remain current in the profession by collaborating with faculty in research and teaching, engaging in research/creative activity, and continuing professional development in the area of agronomic and/or horticultural sciences.

This position is 70% teaching, 20% research, 10% service/outreach responsibilities.

1. Ph.D. in agronomy, horticulture, plant sciences, or related field.
2. Evidence for excellence in teaching.
3. Evidence for excellence in research and a publication record commensurate with career level.
4. Demonstrated ability to collaborate with other teachers and scientists.

1. Previous teaching experience at the university level.
2. Demonstrated ability to secure extramural funding.
3. Past record of scholarly activity or evidence of collaborative efforts in teaching or scholarly activity.
4. Demonstrated strong interest in teaching and research relating to small-scale agricultural science.

• Possess excellent written and oral communications skills.
• Possess effective interpersonal skills.
• Be committed to student success and quality teaching.
• Contribute successfully to departmental teaching, research and service.

• (1) a letter of application describing how your training and experience uniquely qualify you to fulfill the required and preferred qualifications above, and
• (2) a curriculum vitae, and
• (3) a statement of teaching philosophy; include descriptions of courses taught and teaching evaluations, and
• (4) the names, addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses of five (5) current professional references.

  An application packet addressing all the above requirements and qualification as listed is highly encouraged. Missing materials and information may not be requested and may result in your application not being considered for the position.

  Electronic submissions in PDF format are preferred, and must have the applicant's signature on the letter of application. For electronic submittals, please indicate "Applicant - Search #12208-2" in the subject line of the email.

  • Submit materials to:
  • decker@montana.edu
  • OR
  • Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology
  • Montana State University
  • Irene Decker
  • PO Box 173150
  • Bozeman MT 59717-3150
  • (406)994-5171

    In order to receive Veterans Preference during the application review process, it is highly recommended that the required forms are included at the time you submit your application materials. Click here for the forms and information regarding Veterans Preference. Important note: Your preference form is submitted to a different location than your application materials. A DD214 is not a required document.