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 seven national airlines with over twenty flights a day to nine cities.

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 Department of Health & Human Development at Montana State University (MSU) invites applications for the position of Assistant Professor in Sustainable Food Systems. The department is located in the College of Education Health and Human Development (EHHD). The departmental mission is to enrich human well-being through teaching research and outreach. The department strategic efforts are outlined on the departmental website (www.montana.edu/wwwhhd/). This position begins August 16, 2013 and is a nine-month, tenure-track, appointment with the possibility of teaching during the summer months. This will be an instructional position (50% teaching, 20% research, 20% interdisciplinary program leadership and 10% service) in an inter-college program in Sustainable Food and Bioenergy Systems, and an interdisciplinary master’s program in Food, Family and Community Health Sciences. Towne’s Harvest Garden (THG) is MSU’s certified organic campus farm used for instruction, research and outreach (see www.townesharvest.montana.edu). THG offers a community-supported agriculture (CSA) program, and is a source of produce for a weekly campus farmstand, a student CSA and a Community Food Truck in partnership with the Gallatin Valley Food Bank.

• Teach undergraduate courses such as, but not limited to: SFBS 146 Introduction to Sustainable Food & Bioenergy Systems and a new SFBS course in an area of specialty that can contribute to undergraduate and graduate programming. Oversee SFBS 298 Towne’s Harvest Internship and the SFBS 498 Internship.
• Perform SFBS interdisciplinary program leadership including maintaining and updating the student database, assessing and updating curricula, recruiting and orienting students, marketing the SFBS program internally and externally, organizing an SFBS seminar series, overseeing student internships, convening SFBS Advisory Committees, maintaining and nurturing stakeholder relations and participating in program evaluation;
• Provide assistance with teaching, research and outreach activities at Towne’s Harvest Garden, oversee web site and develop an annual report;
• Advise graduate students and chair graduate committees;
• Develop an extramurally funded research program focused in social and behavioral sciences related to sustainable food systems or related topic area;
• Provide outreach and service to the university and the citizens of Montana and the nation; represent the program to the general public through participation in professional organizations;
• Potentially contribute to a new interdisciplinary graduate program in sustainable food and bioenergy systems.

1. Doctorate (must have terminal degree by start date) in food systems, agricultural systems or related field.
2. Teaching experience at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels and a proven ability to be an effective instructor.
3. Record of or potential to develop an independent research program in the area of food systems or related field corresponding with career level, resulting in peer-reviewed publications and external funding.
4. Proven ability to collaborate in an interdisciplinary fashion through teaching, research and outreach efforts in food systems related disciplines such as nutrition, community health, health and human performance, family and consumer sciences, agricultural economics, agroecology, livestock production, plant sciences, rural sociology or pedagogy in sustainable food systems etc.
5. Practical experience in sustainable food systems.

1. Experience coordinating a university academic program.
2. Demonstrated ability to successfully interact with food, agriculture and bioenergy system stakeholders and groups.
3. Proven desire to support the departmental mission of enriching human well being through teaching, research and outreach efforts.
4. Demonstrated desire to positively contribute to the work environment and culture within Health and Human Development.
5. Practical experience in sustainable agriculture production, marketing and customer service.

Possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills; demonstrate the ability to build innovative teaching, research and outreach programs; be prepared to invest creatively in a new dynamic and rapidly growing program; and have the ability to work effectively with diverse populations.

• (1) a letter of application addressing all required and preferred qualifications in the order listed above, and
• (2) a curriculum vitae, and
• (3) a teaching philosophy, and
• (4) the names, addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses of five (5) professional references to the Search Coordinator. Letters of application and of reference must be signed by the author. Please note that additional information may be solicited from final candidates.

  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 (as one document) are preferred, and must have the applicant's signature on the letter of application. For electronic submittals, please indicate "Applicant - Search #13115-2" in the subject line of the email.

  • Submit materials to:
  • Faculty Search Coordinator
  • Department of Health and Human Development
  • Montana State University
  • 253 Reid Hall –
  • PO Box 172940
  • Bozeman MT 59717-2940
  • 406-994-6635
  • ehhdjobs@montana.edu

    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.