Working/Functional Title

Assistant/Associate/Full Professor Tenure System

Position Summary

The College of Engineering at Michigan State University (MSU) invites applications for a tenure-system faculty position from candidates with research and teaching interests in sustainable agricultural technologies and climate resilience.

All areas of research specialization will be considered, but the following areas have been identified as being of particular interest:

• Synthetic Biology
• Reducing carbon footprint
• Food security
• Water resources
• Microbe–plant interactions
• Pest control and pesticides
• Sensors /biosensor
• Nanomaterials
• Mathematical Modeling and Computational Methods
• Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
• Plants multi-omics (genomics, phenomics, metabolomics)
• Sustainability

We encourage applications for appointments at the rank of Assistant Professor and will consider exceptional candidates for appointment at the rank of Associate or (Full) Professor.  These appointments will be part of the MSU 1855 Professorship program, an Office of the Provost initiative to enhance the academic experience and student success by elevating the academic quality and reputation at MSU.

Candidates must have an earned Ph.D. in an engineering field or a closely related discipline at the time of appointment, with an anticipated start date of August 16, 2025. Appointments will be made in the Departments of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Entomology, Plant Sciences, or Biochemistry and Molecular Biology based on existing strengths and capabilities and the candidate’s preferences. Joint appointments with other departments are possible. This will be a full-time, academic-year appointment in the tenure system, with tenure, if appropriate, at a salary commensurate with the candidate’s background and experience. Those who conduct research that enhances or is aligned with aspects of inclusion and equity are of high interest.

The candidate is expected to establish a sustainable, externally-funded, and internationally visible research program; make significant scholarly contributions to their discipline; conduct community-engaged research; be an effective teacher and mentor of undergraduate and graduate students; engage in institutional and professional service; and contribute toward the university’s mission in diversity, equity, and inclusion. Candidates are encouraged to describe the potential impacts of their scholarship and how their work might complement existing strengths at the College and university level, particularly as it relates to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Other qualifications include strong leadership and interpersonal skills, excellent written and oral communication skills, an ability to work in a collaborative research environment, and a commitment to promoting and embracing diversity.

This position promotes interdisciplinary collaboration across the Colleges of Engineering (Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or Electrical and Computer Engineering), Agriculture and Natural Resources (Entomology), and Natural Science (Plant Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology), with eligibility for membership in the Plant Resilience Institute (PRI). Candidates with an engineering background focused on sustainable management of plant, arthropod, and microbial communities in agricultural systems are encouraged to apply. The appointment will be with Engineering and either Agriculture and Natural Resources or Natural Science determined collaboratively with participating units. Applicants should describe how their research complements existing departmental strengths.

The successful candidate will contribute to ongoing initiatives in the Agricultural Climate Resilience Program and the PRI. Responsibilities include developing sustainable solutions for efficient resource use, creating biodegradable materials, and designing advanced systems for real-time monitoring of plant health and environmental conditions.

To further MSU’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, we actively recruit underrepresented minority (URM) faculty, providing support and networking opportunities to foster success and retention. This initiative builds on existing strengths within the departments and colleges, ensuring that developed technologies are accessible across diverse agricultural contexts, including small and local-scale producers. This recruitment represents a strategic effort to enhance interdisciplinary research at MSU, contributing to transformative solutions for global agricultural challenges and creating a diverse academic environment that supports underrepresented communities in STEM fields.

This open position is supported by the MSU Provost’s 1855 Professorships initiative that is aligned with the university’s diversity, equity, and inclusion strategic plan and seeks to “…elevate the academic quality and reputation at MSU.” For more information about the 1855 Professorships, visit: https://provost.msu.edu/priorities-and-initiatives/1855-professorships. For more information about MSU’s strategic plan, visit: https://strategicplan.msu.edu/strategic-plan/executive-summary.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Doctorate -Engineering, or closely related discipline.

Minimum Requirements

Candidates must have an earned PhD in Engineering, or a closely related discipline.

Desired Qualifications

Other qualifications include strong leadership and interpersonal skills, excellent written and oral communication skills, an ability to work in a collaborative research environment, and a commitment to promoting and embracing diversity.

Required Application Materials

The application must include the following materials:

1. A detailed CV
2. A cover letter summarizing your qualifications (one page)
3. A teaching vision statement (one page)
4. A research vision statement (one page)
5. A diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) vision statement (one page), which should include:
   • Your awareness and education in DEI
   • Examples of your work in DEI
   • Assessment and outcomes of your DEI work
   • Demonstrated impact of your efforts
6. Names and contact information for at least three professional references

Candidates are encouraged to describe the potential impact of your work and how it aligns with the existing strengths of the Department, College, or other programs at MSU. 

Special Instructions

Review of applications will begin on 1/13/2025 and continue until the position is filled. Questions about this position are welcome and should be directed to the search committee chair by email at gilad@msu.edu.

Review of Applications Begins On

01/13/2025

Website

https://engineering.msu.edu

Department Statement

About The College of Engineering

Advancing, disseminating, and applying engineering knowledge has been the focus of the MSU College of Engineering for more than 130 years.  The mission of the MSU College of Engineering is to deliver the highest-quality engineering graduates, cutting-edge research, and innovative technology to benefit society locally and globally.  The college carries out its mission through educational and research programs over eight departments tackling interdisciplinary themes such as computational sciences, energy, health, manufacturing, materials, mobility, security, and sustainability, with research expenditures totaling $60 million annually.   Research is highly interdisciplinary and collaborative, with themes spanning eight departments in the college and an extensive network of collaborators in other colleges and research organizations. The departments and college have strong track records of mentoring junior faculty to grow their academic careers successfully.

The College of Engineering is dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the rich diversity of our global society while upholding the high standards of Michigan State University. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and perspectives, including but not limited to women, underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, protected veterans, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and others who bring unique experiences. Your diverse insights and contributions are essential to our college's ongoing growth and pursuit of excellence. Data indicates a paucity of underrepresented minorities and women faculty in Engineering; individuals from these groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

About Michigan State University

MSU is an R1 university that enjoys a park-like campus with some outlying research facilities and natural areas. The campus is in the city of East Lansing, adjacent to the capital city of Lansing. The Lansing metropolitan area has a diverse population of approximately 541,000.  Local communities have excellent school systems and place a high value on education. Michigan State University is proactive in exploring employment opportunities for dual-career couples inside and outside the University.

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.

About Michigan State University

Spartans work every day to advance the common good in uncommon ways.Together, we tackle some of the world?s toughest problems to find solutions that make life better?from alternative energy to better food safety to breakthrough medical and environmental applications achieved through rare isotope research.We teach. We explore and we discover. We collaborate and lead. We innovate, inspire, and empower. We achieve our potential and create circumstances that help our students and others achieve theirs.We're good at it, and we've been at it for more than 150 years.The nation?s pioneer land-grant university, MSU began as a bold experiment that democratized higher education and helped bring science and innovation into everyday life. The revolutionary concept became a model for the nation.Today, MSU is one of the top research universities in the world?on one of the biggest, greenest campuses in the nation. Home to nationally ranked and recognized academic, residential college, and service-learning programs, we?re a diverse community of dedicated students and scholars, athletes and artists, scientists and leaders.In ways both practical and profound, we work to create a stronger, more sustainable, and more hopeful future for all.

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