Assistant Professor, Cropping System Agronomist

Brief Overview

The Cropping Systems Agronomist will lead a field-oriented research program to diversify and intensify crop rotations in northcentral Montana. This role involves applied field research to enhance sustainable production and economic viability for producers, and collaboration with diverse stakeholders. Key responsibilities include conducting producer‑relevant field research, communicating research findings, securing extramural grant funding, and participating in outreach activities. This is a twelve‑month, tenure‑track Assistant Professor position focused on research, outreach, and service, with no formal teaching duties.

This tenure‑track position is located at Northern Agricultural Research Center (NARC), a diversified crop and livestock research facility located seven miles southwest of Havre, MT. The average farm size in northcentral MT is over 4,000 acres and major crop production includes winter and spring wheat, barley, peas, lentils, chickpeas, canola, mustard, flax, safflower, alfalfa, and annual and perennial forages.

The Cropping Systems Agronomist will lead an applied, field‑oriented research program to diversify or intensify current rotation practices in north‑central Montana, including cereals, pulses, oilseeds, forages, and other alternative crops. This role requires direct engagement in field activities, including data collection, operation of agricultural machinery, and implementation of research methodologies. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to personally design, conduct, and analyze field studies and are expected to remain actively involved in these core responsibilities.

This research should enhance the sustained production and economic viability of the region’s farmers. The Department seeks an individual to identify and address research needs in cropping systems through discussions with stakeholders. The incumbent is expected to cooperate with multi‑discipline MSU and public‑sector scientists, extension personnel, farmers, private industry, advisory groups, and commodity organizations to develop research priorities and assist in developing management recommendations.

As a faculty member of NARC, the successful candidate will have access to on‑site dryland and irrigated research fields, a new greenhouse/headhouse facility, laboratory space, farm‑ and plot‑scale equipment, precision irrigation systems, and the opportunity to utilize 300 head of range beef cattle to expand into crop‑livestock systems research. There will also be an opportunity to collaborate with our precision agriculture and extension specialist, the crop variety development and testing program, as well as animal scientists.

This is a twelve‑month tenure‑track faculty position at the Assistant Professor level with research (80%), outreach (10%), and service (10%) responsibilities funded by the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station and the College of Agriculture. This position has no formal teaching responsibilities; however, opportunities to mentor undergraduate and graduate students exist within the College.

This field‑based research program will evolve through utilizing the expertise of the successful candidate and input from stakeholders and collaborating researchers. The program could include examining economically sustainable production systems by evaluating adaptation and management strategies for potential alternative crops and rotations, investigating the impacts of biotic and abiotic factors within cropping systems practiced, examining the effects of unique rotations to enhance sustained crop quality and production, or applying technology to crop management and decision‑making within new, intensified, and alternative cropping systems in Montana.

• Ph.D. in Agronomy, Crop Science, Plant Physiology, or a closely related field, at the time of hire.
• Documented experience of research involving field crop production and cropping systems research with crops common to Montana.
• Demonstrated experience in planning, designing, and implementing innovative and economically relevant field research, and interpreting…