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Assistant Professor of Land-Atmosphere Interactions

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Montana State University

Location: Bozeman, Montana
Category: Faculty-Engineering-Other Engineering
Application Deadline:

Job Description

Position Details
Position Information

Announcement Number	FAC - VA - 24011
For questions regarding this position, please contact:	Tim Covino at timothy.covino@montana.edu
Classification Title
Working Title	Assistant Professor of Land-Atmosphere Interactions
Brief Position Overview	The Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences at Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana invites applications for a tenure-track position at the level of Assistant Professor with expertise in Land-Atmosphere Interactions for a preferred start date of August 2024.
Faculty Tenure Track	Yes
Faculty Rank	TT
Position Number	4A3343
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 who will embrace a multidisciplinary approach to investigating land-atmosphere interactions with specific attention to belowground hydrology and soil-water dynamics, and application to sustainable management of natural and agricultural ecosystems. The successful candidate will have experience in land-atmosphere exchange, ecohydrology, critical zone hydrology, or a closely related field. This is a nine-month (academic year), tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant Professor level with research (60%), teaching (30%), and service (10%) responsibilities funded by the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station and the College of Agriculture.
Duties and Responsibilities	Research responsibilities include developing a regionally and nationally recognized program focused on land-atmosphere interactions including the exchange of water, carbon, and other constituents within and between soils, vegetation, and the atmosphere. The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to conceive, design, and carry out a wide range of studies on both traditional and novel topics. Examples of important research areas include but are not limited to: water-use efficiency in natural and agricultural systems, soil and critical zone hydrology, and the exchange of mass and energy between land and atmosphere. Expertise in quantitative analysis, scientific writing for a variety of audiences, and oral presentation skills are essential. Close collaboration with colleagues across scientific disciplines is expected. Our research network includes seven Agricultural Research Centers across Montana, and our college and department include a strong Extension component. Engagement with stakeholders, Extension staff, and Research Centers to inform discovery about land-atmosphere interaction is an important component of this position. The successful candidate will develop an excellent teaching and mentoring program, including teaching undergraduate and/or graduate courses in subjects such as surface-atmosphere exchange, biometeorology, environmental biophysics, and critical zone hydrology, depending on departmental teaching needs. Responsibilities include undergraduate curricular advising, undergraduate research advising, and training of graduate students. The hiring department has a strong history of securing extramural funding to support graduate students. Service responsibilities include departmental citizenship, participation in professional societies, 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 land-atmosphere interactions, critical zone hydrology, environmental biophysics, or a closely related field. Evidence of strong communication skills including a publication record of peer-reviewed journal articles. Commitment to cultural diversity, both within the university and with external constituents.
Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills	Record of conducting innovative research on land-atmosphere interactions with specific attention to the movement of water within soils and the shallow subsurface. Demonstrated potential to write grant proposals and secure funding. Demonstrated potential for excellence in undergraduate and graduate instruction and mentoring. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams.
The Successful Candidate Will	A dynamic scientist and educator who will: Help MSU continue to provide outstanding teaching, scholarship, engagement, and service in meeting the goals of the MSU Strategic Plan; Have effective interpersonal skills including the ability to collaborate successfully with faculty, students, and stakeholders; Demonstrate commitment to integrating an understanding of the experiences of underrepresented groups into research, teaching, engagement, and service.
Position Special Requirements/Additional Information	To apply please submit the following: A cover letter highlighting elements of your experiences that will specifically address each required and preferred qualification for this position (two-page limit). A statement of your vision of future research (two-page limit). A statement of your teaching philosophy including the mentorship of undergraduate and graduate students and commitment to diversity and inclusion (two-page limit). A current curriculum vitae. Contact information of four professional references. Please prioritize references with whom you have had the most extensive direct professional interactions. We will only contact references for applicants rated in the top tier.
Physical Demands
The Program
The Department	The Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences (LRES) is in the College of Agriculture at Montana State University. Our work spans land resources and environmental science and management, and includes cutting-edge, 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 sustainability 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 MS, 120 online MS, 25 Ph.D. students, and 40 technical and postdoctoral scientists, and has a strong tradition of interdisciplinary collaboration within the department and across the institution and state of Montana. The Department is supported through the College of Agriculture, the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station, and the Extension Service, which work together to generate and disseminate knowledge and technological solutions to increase the competitiveness of Montana agricultural and natural resource enterprises.
The College

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 November 3, 2023. However, applications will continue to be accepted until a robust applicant pool is established.
Special Instructions
Diversity Statement	Montana State University values diverse perspectives and is committed to continually supporting, promoting and building an inclusive and culturally diverse campus environment. MSU recognizes the importance of work-life integration and strives to be responsive to the needs of dual career couples. 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. MSU’s Non-Discrimination Policy and Discrimination Grievance Procedures can be located on the MSU Website: https://www.montana.edu/hr/recruitment/dualcareer.html