What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Professor of Soil and Environmental Microbiology position at Montana State University - Office of Student Engagement?
Position Details
Position Information
Announcement Number FAC - VA - 27029 For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Stephanie Ewing
stephanie.ewing@montana.edu
406-600-8474
Classification Title Working Title Assistant Professor of Soil and Environmental Microbiology Brief Position Overview
The department invites applications for a tenure-track position at the level of Assistant Professor, with expertise in soil and environmental microbiology, to develop a nationally recognized soil and environmental microbiology research and education program, with a preferred start date of August 2027.
Faculty Tenure Track Yes Faculty Rank Assistant/Associate Professor Position Number 4A3471 Department Land Resources & Environ Sci Division College of Agriculture/MAES Appointment Type Faculty Contract Term Academic Year Semester If other, specify From date If other, specify End date Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining FTE 1.0 Benefits Eligible Eligible Salary Salary commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications Contract Type MUS If other, please specify Recruitment Type Open
Position Details
General Statement
The Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences at Montana State University seeks a collaborative colleague in the field of soil and environmental microbiology. The faculty member will lead a nationally recognized soil and environmental microbiology research and education program, providing expertise for research in soil health, water quality, and ecosystem functioning across managed and natural landscape systems. Teaching responsibilities will be two classes per year at the undergraduate and graduate levels, including Soil & Environmental Microbiology (BIOM 452) and a graduate level soil microbiology course.
Duties and Responsibilities
The core disciplinary expertise for this position is soil and environmental microbiology serving applied and foundational studies, including topics such as microbial roles in biogeochemical cycling, microbial metabolic pathways, microbial community ecology and function, interactions between microorganisms and soil minerals/organic matter, environmental change effects and processes, plant-microbe interactions, and rhizosphere microbiology. Research applications may include bioremediation, nutrient cycling in agricultural systems, biological inoculant technologies, soil-health assessment, microbial responses to environmental change, and antimicrobial resistance, in collaboration with faculty members from a range of disciplines. The position would complement the LRES undergraduate options of soil and water science, restoration ecology, sustainable food and bioenergy systems, geospatial analysis, and environmental biology, as well as MS and PhD programs in Ecology and Environmental Sciences.
In addition to Soil and Environmental Microbiology (BIOM 452), teaching opportunities include a graduate level soil microbiology course, and sections of high enrollment undergraduate environmental science courses (e.g., ENSC 245 Soils, 460 Restoration Ecology, 499R Capstone) or complementary (option block) courses focusing on Applied Soil and Environmental Microbiology or Field Methods of Environmental Sampling and Analysis. Teaching responsibilities additionally include undergraduate curricular advising, undergraduate research advising, and training of graduate students with expectation of recruiting and funding doctoral students as a priority. The hiring department has a historically strong extramural funding ethic and enterprise for supporting graduate students. Additional service responsibilities include departmental citizenship and engagement with the community consistent with the missions of a Land Grant University and the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station.
Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
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’s 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. Our work includes 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 sustainable 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 300 undergraduate students, 25 thesis M.S., 100 professional M.S., 25 Ph.D. graduate students, and 40 technical and postdoctoral scientists, with 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 MSU Extension Service, which work together to generate and disseminate superior 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’s land grant mission, serving the communities of our state. The Montana Agricultural Experiment Station (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 December 15, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
Special Instructions EEO Statement
Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.
FLSA Details
FLSA Determination
FLSA Status Exempt
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Position Information
Announcement Number FAC - VA - 27029 For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Stephanie Ewing
stephanie.ewing@montana.edu
406-600-8474
Classification Title Working Title Assistant Professor of Soil and Environmental Microbiology Brief Position Overview
The department invites applications for a tenure-track position at the level of Assistant Professor, with expertise in soil and environmental microbiology, to develop a nationally recognized soil and environmental microbiology research and education program, with a preferred start date of August 2027.
Faculty Tenure Track Yes Faculty Rank Assistant/Associate Professor Position Number 4A3471 Department Land Resources & Environ Sci Division College of Agriculture/MAES Appointment Type Faculty Contract Term Academic Year Semester If other, specify From date If other, specify End date Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining FTE 1.0 Benefits Eligible Eligible Salary Salary commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications Contract Type MUS If other, please specify Recruitment Type Open
Position Details
General Statement
The Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences at Montana State University seeks a collaborative colleague in the field of soil and environmental microbiology. The faculty member will lead a nationally recognized soil and environmental microbiology research and education program, providing expertise for research in soil health, water quality, and ecosystem functioning across managed and natural landscape systems. Teaching responsibilities will be two classes per year at the undergraduate and graduate levels, including Soil & Environmental Microbiology (BIOM 452) and a graduate level soil microbiology course.
Duties and Responsibilities
The core disciplinary expertise for this position is soil and environmental microbiology serving applied and foundational studies, including topics such as microbial roles in biogeochemical cycling, microbial metabolic pathways, microbial community ecology and function, interactions between microorganisms and soil minerals/organic matter, environmental change effects and processes, plant-microbe interactions, and rhizosphere microbiology. Research applications may include bioremediation, nutrient cycling in agricultural systems, biological inoculant technologies, soil-health assessment, microbial responses to environmental change, and antimicrobial resistance, in collaboration with faculty members from a range of disciplines. The position would complement the LRES undergraduate options of soil and water science, restoration ecology, sustainable food and bioenergy systems, geospatial analysis, and environmental biology, as well as MS and PhD programs in Ecology and Environmental Sciences.
In addition to Soil and Environmental Microbiology (BIOM 452), teaching opportunities include a graduate level soil microbiology course, and sections of high enrollment undergraduate environmental science courses (e.g., ENSC 245 Soils, 460 Restoration Ecology, 499R Capstone) or complementary (option block) courses focusing on Applied Soil and Environmental Microbiology or Field Methods of Environmental Sampling and Analysis. Teaching responsibilities additionally include undergraduate curricular advising, undergraduate research advising, and training of graduate students with expectation of recruiting and funding doctoral students as a priority. The hiring department has a historically strong extramural funding ethic and enterprise for supporting graduate students. Additional service responsibilities include departmental citizenship and engagement with the community consistent with the missions of a Land Grant University and the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station.
Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
- Ph.D. in Soil Microbiology, Environmental Microbiology or related field by start date.
- Demonstrated ability or potential to establish an externally funded, competitive, and independent research program.
- Demonstrated ability to conduct and publish high-quality and original research, as indicated by publication in peer-reviewed journals.
- Demonstrated capacity or potential for excellence in undergraduate and graduate instruction and mentoring.
- PhD completed by the screening date.
- Post-doctoral experience.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams.
- Teaching experience.
- Demonstrated ability or potential to work with societal partners.
- Research relevant to agriculture.
- Be an excellent communicator and collaborator.
- Demonstrate potential to add intellectual breadth to the department and to work with diverse students and colleagues.
- Demonstrate excellence in writing skills as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications and/or awarded grants.
- Have excellent speaking and teaching skills as evidenced by national and/or international oral presentations and teaching experience.
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’s 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. Our work includes 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 sustainable 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 300 undergraduate students, 25 thesis M.S., 100 professional M.S., 25 Ph.D. graduate students, and 40 technical and postdoctoral scientists, with 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 MSU Extension Service, which work together to generate and disseminate superior 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’s land grant mission, serving the communities of our state. The Montana Agricultural Experiment Station (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 December 15, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
Special Instructions EEO Statement
Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.
FLSA Details
FLSA Determination
FLSA Status Exempt
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
- Curriculum Vitae
- Research Statement
- Teaching Statement
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).