Agronomic Entomologist

Agronomic Entomologist

Montana State University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Agronomic Entomology in the Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology. The successful candidate will develop an innovative, externally funded research program addressing fundamental and applied questions in the biology, ecology, and management of insects in agricultural systems. The position offers opportunities to collaborate across a diverse community of agricultural and biological scientists and to engage with Montana's agricultural stakeholders.

Teaching will contribute to our growing entomology programs, including courses such as Integrated Pest Management and Insect Physiology.

Position Number - 4A3187

Department
- Plant Sciences

Division
- College of Agriculture/MAES

Appointment Type
- Faculty

Contract Term
- Academic Year

Union Affiliation
- Exempt from Collective Bargaining

FTE - 1.0

Benefits Eligible
- Eligible

Salary
- Salary commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications

Contract Type - MUS

Recruitment Type
- Open

Position Details

The Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology seeks a talented and collaborative colleague who will develop an innovative research program in agronomic entomology. The successful candidate will contribute to and collaborate across departmental and college strengths in cropping systems, plant health, integrated pest management, agroecology, plant-insect interactions, entomology, weed science, plant breeding and genetics, precision agriculture, and sustainable agricultural systems.

Montana provides exceptional opportunities to address applied and fundamental questions related to the ecology and management of insect pests in dryland and irrigated cropping systems, including cereal, pulse, oilseed, forage, and specialty crops. 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 nationally recognized, externally funded program in agronomic entomology that addresses applied and fundamental questions relevant to Montana and the broader region. Research should address the biology, ecology, and management of economically important insect pests in agricultural systems and may incorporate beneficial insects and their roles in agroecosystems. Montana provides exceptional opportunities to address arthropod challenges in dryland and irrigated cropping systems, including wheat stem sawfly and other insect pests affecting cereal, pulse, oilseed, forage, specialty crop, and horticultural production systems.

Candidates may employ diverse approaches, including integrated pest management, plant-insect interactions, insect physiology, landscape ecology, molecular approaches, or related disciplines. The successful candidate will establish a Montana Agricultural Experiment Station Hatch Project, secure extramural funding, publish research in appropriate scholarly outlets, and mentor graduate and undergraduate researchers. This position may have opportunities for travel to off-campus sites. Teaching responsibilities include the upper-division undergraduate course Integrated Pest Management (AGSC
401) and the graduate course Insect Physiology (ENTO
520), along with other courses appropriate to the candidate's expertise and programmatic needs. The successful candidate will contribute to the Entomology Minor and MS in Entomology programs and participate in undergraduate and graduate student advising and mentoring. Service responsibilities include active participation in departmental, college, and university service as appropriate to career stage and programmatic needs; engagement with agricultural stakeholders and other communities consistent with the missions of a Land-Grant University and the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station;

and participation in relevant professional organizations.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
- Ph.D. in entomology or an…