Assistant/Associate/Full Professor

Position Function:

The Department of Plant and Soil Sciences in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Mississippi State University is seeking applicants for an Assistant/Associate/Full Professor with a research (70%)/teaching (30%) appointment in corn and small grain agronomics. This position will be a 12-month tenure track appointment with an anticipated start date of January 1, 2027.

For candidates with experience or appointment at the Associate or Full Professor levels, the position may also include co-appointment as The Triplett Corn Promotion Board Professor. This Professorship carries the professorship title, and additional salary stipend and some programmatic support. The successful candidate will be expected to collaborate with faculty and staff from the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences as well as with other departments across campus and other institutions.

Salary Grade:  UC

Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Department Profile:

Mississippi State is Mississippi's senior comprehensive land-grant institution and has the largest on-campus enrollment (>22,000) of the eight state institutions of higher learning. All components of the university have a strong commitment to teaching, research, and service. The Department of Plant and Soil Sciences has 33 on- and 14 off-campus faculty members engaged in teaching, research, and extension and/or service programs, most of whom carry joint appointments. The programs are supported by state-of-the-art, newly renovated laboratories, equipment, and trained support and professional staff. The department offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Plant and Soil Sciences with Master's and Doctoral graduate students concentrating in Agronomy and, Horticulture.

Anticipated Appointment Date:

January 1, 2027. 

Tenure Track Status:

Yes. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The goal of this position is to develop a nationally recognized research program in the area of applied corn and small grain agronomy and production. The successful candidate will conduct research on cultural practices influencing corn and small grain production systems. Desirable areas of expertise are corn production and agronomy, including crop physiology, crop ecology and tillage systems, soil fertility and nutrient management, modern production practices and precision agriculture, statistical analyses, water or irrigation management, or other agriculture-related science. Regional and multi-state collaboration on research projects is expected as well as the ability to garner extramural funding to support research efforts.

Corn is the second highest planted crop acreage in Mississippi. Checkoff funding is available through the Mississippi Corn Promotion Board. The Promotion Board views this position as a priority for the department and producers in the state. The successful candidate will work closely with faculty and staff with multiple departments at Mississippi State University.

Teaching responsibilities include a split-level Grain Crops production course as well as active participation in supervising and training graduate students. The incumbent will be expected to teach one additional course suited to the candidate’s experience. Each course will be taught once per year. The successful candidate should possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills, as well as demonstrated experience in design and execution of field and laboratory research. Demonstrated publication experience in refereed journals is critical. Service to the department, college, university, and professional societies is expected.

Minimum Qualifications:

Earned Ph.D. in Agronomy, Crop or Soil Science or a closely related field from an accredited institution of higher learning is required. Applicants who are “ABD” (All but Dissertation) will be considered. Applicants must have excellent written and oral communication skills. Demonstrated ability of organization and leadership skills are important as well as the willingness to address issues in a team environment.

ABDs or degree pending considered (all but DISS):

Yes. 

Preferred Qualifications:

A strong background with corn and grain crops and familiarity with modern agricultural production practices.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Applicant must have excellent written and oral communication skills. Excellent organizational and leadership skills are also imperative.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Exposure to educational and agricultural conditions. Lifting, sitting, standing, squatting, etc. will be required. Exposure to chemicals, dust, heat, and cold. Additional exposures may be encountered in a lab setting.

Instructions for Applying:

Link to apply: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/

Link to apply: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/. Applicants must submit an application online and include a cover letter, CV, transcripts, and names and contact information for three professional references.

Any social numbers included on requested transcripts should be redacted prior to submitting online.

Applicants should submit any questions to:

Dr. Michael Mulvaney at mjm1166@msstate.edu

or

Dr. Michael Cox at msc15@msstate.edu

The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.

Screening Date:

September 10, 2026, until filled. 

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.

What do I do if I need an accommodation?

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.

• If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.