Assistant Professor​/Instructor in Forestry

Assistant Professor/Instructor in Forestry

Posted on August 10, 2026

The Department of Forestry at Michigan State University (MSU) invites applications for a full‑time, 12-month, fixed‑term, non‑tenure track Assistant Professor (Ph.D.) or Instructor (M.S.) position focused on teaching and advising students in the Hybrid-Online M.S. in Forestry (https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).), with a 90% teaching and 10% service assignment. The position’s start date is anticipated to be in early spring 2027 and will begin as a one‑year appointment with reappointments contingent on availability of funding and teaching needs.

We seek candidates who will contribute to the dynamic learning environment in the Department of Forestry. The successful candidate should have evidence of outstanding teaching skills in diverse formats, including field settings and online. Preferred candidates will have a strong foundation in professional forestry, either through employment (i.e. with state or federal agencies, industrial forestry operations, consulting forestry, or an NGO) or through teaching in an SAF‑accredited degree program.

Initially, the successful candidate will be expected to teach ~7 classes per year, including 3 sections of the non‑majors course Michigan’s Forests (FOR 101, 3 cr., online) and the following courses required for the Hybrid MS program:
Forest Measurements and Inventory (FOR 812, 2 cr., remote online), Advanced Silviculture (FOR 818, 2 cr., remote, online), Hybrid MS Professional Project (FOR 898, 2 cr., in‑person), and co‑teaching Professional Forestry Field Techniques (FOR 810 2 cr., in person). Teaching materials for all courses have been fully developed and are available. The successful candidate may teach and/or develop additional forestry courses, depending on the candidate’s area of expertise and Department needs.

MSU has many mechanisms in place to support innovation in teaching and curriculum development. The successful candidate also will be the primary advisor for students in the Hybrid M.S. program in Forestry.

Required qualifications:

An earned M.S. (for Instructor rank) or Ph.D. (for Assistant Professor rank) in forestry, natural resources, environmental science, or a closely related field. A demonstrated record of outstanding teaching, training, and/or mentoring relevant to the position, and a strong commitment to student success.

Desired qualifications:
Experience in online and field‑based teaching. Experience with course development. Work experience in professional forestry. Demonstrated experience with different sectors of the forestry profession (e.g. public, private, consulting, NGO). Professional certification as a forester is desirable through a BS or MS from an SAF accredited program, achievement of Certified Forester status through SAF, or a similar pathway.

An earned M.S. (for Instructor rank) or Ph.D. (for Assistant Professor rank) in forestry, natural resources, environmental science, or a closely related field.

MSU offers a generous benefits package (details at ).

Salary will be commensurate with qualifications.

Final date to receive applications:
August 31, 2026

The Department of Forestry is a vibrant, growing, internationally‑recognized unit committed to interdisciplinary education, research and extension designed to understand and resolve environmental and natural resource issues. Established in 1902, MSU’s Department of Forestry was among the first undergraduate forestry programs in the U.S. and continues to innovate and lead in education, research and extension.

The position will be based at Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI, USA. Michigan State University (MSU) is one of the top research universities in the world and home to nationally ranked and recognized academic, residential college, and service‑learning programs. MSU is a diverse community of dedicated students and scholars, athletes and artists, and scientists that provide regional, national, and…