Assistant Professor of Environmental Water Systems Science

Assistant Professor of Environmental Water Systems Science

Montana State University – Office of Student Engagement seeks a tenure‑track Assistant Professor with expertise in Environmental Water Systems Science, preferred start date August 2026.

The Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences invites applications for a position at the Assistant Professor level. The successful candidate will lead a nationally recognized program in water systems research and education, focusing on the role of groundwater in managing water resource availability for Montana agriculture, communities, and ecosystems.

• 55% research (MAES)
• 35% teaching (COA)
• 10% service

The core disciplinary expertise is basic and applied hydrologic science. Candidates should have expertise in subsurface hydrology and groundwater relevant to resource management decisions in dryland and irrigated agroecosystems, forests, rangelands, or urbanizing landscapes. The assistant professor will integrate research with existing strengths in agronomy, precision agriculture, pedology, watershed hydrology, ecohydrology, ecosystem ecology, biogeochemistry, microbiology, land‑atmosphere interactions, soil chemistry and nutrient management, restoration ecology, invasive plants, entomology, data and spatial sciences, and environmental modeling.

Teaching responsibilities include integrating research into innovative classes that train students on systems thinking needed to understand water quantity and quality resilience to changes in water use, land use, and climate. The faculty member will address curricular gaps in subsurface hydrology and reactive transport at the graduate level and contribute to quantitative literacy for undergraduates and graduates.

• PhD degree with an emphasis on quantitative hydrology or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated potential for research achievement in environmental water systems science.
• Evidence of strong communication skills in research, including peer‑reviewed publications.
• Demonstrated potential for effective mentoring and training of students, employees, or early‑career professionals.

• Record of conducting innovative, transdisciplinary research that advances fundamental understanding of environmental water systems.
• Demonstrated potential to secure funding via successful grant proposals.
• Demonstrated ability and interest to work collaboratively across disciplines and take on leadership roles in interdisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated ability to teach and mentor undergraduate and graduate students with differing backgrounds.

• Help MSU continue to provide outstanding teaching, scholarship, engagement, and service in meeting the goals of the MSU Strategic Plan.
• Have excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Have effective interpersonal skills, including the ability to interact collegially with faculty, students, and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrate commitment to integrating the experiences of faculty, students, and stakeholders with differing perspectives into collaborative research, teaching, engagement, and service.

• A cover letter highlighting how your experiences address the required and preferred qualifications (two‑page limit).
• A statement of past research accomplishments and vision for future research (two‑page limit).
• A teaching statement including practical mentorship of undergraduate and graduate students (two‑page limit).
• A current curriculum vitae.
• A philosophy statement regarding teaching and learning.
• Contact information for four professional references in the reference section of the application.

Number Of Vacancies: 1 Desired

Start Date:

Upon Completion Of a Successful Search Applications will be screened beginning December 23, 2025. Applications will continue to be accepted until a sufficient applicant pool is established.

This position is not eligible for new sponsorship.

Montana…