Assistant Professor - Crop Resilience to Environmental Stress

The Stockbridge School of Agriculture at the University of Massachusetts Amherst invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position of Crops Resiliency to Environmental Stresses. This position is a full-time, 9-month appointment. The successful candidate will be a full member of the University’s faculty and will provide science-based solutions through research and teaching to help farmers adapt to environmental pressures, enhancing Stockbridge’s mission to support regional agriculture and horticulture and student success.

We are seeking talented applicants qualified for an assistant professor position. Under exceptional circumstances, highly qualified candidates at other ranks may receive consideration.

We seek a highly motivated individual who will establish a nationally and internationally recognized research and teaching program addressing how crops respond and adapt to multiple environmental stresses such as drought, heat, salinity, pathogens, pollutants and nutrient deficiencies. This research is critical in the context of climate change, global food insecurity, and the need for sustainable agriculture. The successful candidate will integrate molecular biology, plant physiology, and modern molecular breeding techniques (e.g., CRISPR-Cas genome editing, gene pyramiding, association mapping, marker-assisted breeding) to understand underlying mechanisms and enhance crop tolerance to environmental stresses with aim to develop crops that are productive and adaptive to climate variability.

The position is central to Stockbridge’s mission to support regional and global agriculture, improve crop productivity, and promote environmental stewardship through sustainable practices.

Instructional responsibilities will include teaching undergraduate and graduate courses related to plant biotechnology, crop improvements, plant stress biology, and agricultural sciences, or related courses in the candidate’s disciplinary area, across the departments within the School of Earth and Sustainability, as well as engaging with local stakeholders. Our faculty benefit from access to state-of-the-art, climate-controlled greenhouses; dedicated field space at the Agronomy Research Farm and at the Agriculture Learning Center;

and rich opportunities for collaboration both within the Stockbridge School of Agriculture and across the UMass campus, including with the Institute of Applied Life Sciences. In addition, partnerships with external stakeholders further enhance efforts to develop sustainable solutions that advance crop productivity and resilience.

• A Ph.D. in Crop Sciences, Crop stress Physiology, Plant Biology, Crop Biotechnology/ Molecular Biology, Plant Biochemistry, Horticulture or related fields. Degree requirements must be completed by the appointment start date.
• Demonstrated potential for research excellence in molecular techniques applied to crop stress responses.
• Evidence of scholarly productivity, including publications in reputable journals and presentations at conferences.
• Experience or potential in securing external research funding.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

• Postdoctoral research experience with demonstrated evidence of strong research productivity.
• Experience with gene editing technologies (e.g., CRISPR-Cas) in crops including fruits and vegetable crops.
• Experience working with crop species under abiotic or biotic stress conditions.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate research with teaching and outreach.
• Teaching experience at the undergraduate and/or graduate level, with evidence of effective instruction and mentorship.