Faculty in Environmental Microbiomes and Human Health

Overview

Open Rank Faculty in Environmental Microbiomes and Human Health

43311
Plant and Soil Science

Position Description

The Department of Plant and Soil Science in the Davis College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at Texas Tech University invites applications for a 9-month, tenured or tenure-track, open-rank professor position in environmental microbiomes and human health (approximately 75% Research / 20% Teaching / 5% Service) to begin Fall 2026, although a later start date may be negotiated.

The successful candidate is expected to develop and lead a high impact, extramurally funded, and internationally recognized research program that investigates the mechanistic linkages between environmental and human microbiomes. Example areas of research include but are not limited to human and environmental microbiome linkages in urban or rural communities, soil-borne pathogens and human health, and the effects of land-use change and management in the built environment, contaminants and pollution, or climate change stressors on human-environment microbiome relationships and health impacts.

Candidates with interest and expertise in soil-human health linkages in the built environment are highly encouraged to apply (e.g., heat effects on human health and soil ecosystem services as driven by microbiomes). Subject areas include but are not limited to soil & environmental microbiomes in urban ecosystems and their connections with human microbiome/health, epidemiology, pathogen ecology, pathogen population biology, host-microbe interactions, immunity and disease resistance, bioenvironmental sciences, and vector-borne disease.

A Ph.D. or equivalent degree in biology, microbiology, soil science, ecology, or related area is required, including but not limited to pathology, genetics, genomics, entomology, crop science, computational biology, or quantitative ecology. Candidates with post-doctoral research experience are preferred. Evidence of the potential for developing an outstanding interdisciplinary research program and indications of strong mentorship and teaching skills are required. Applicants are expected to have a strong publication record, interpersonal and communication skills, and the desire to collaborate with others in a collegial team environment.

We seek candidates who will use creative and collaborative approaches to elucidate host/microbial/environmental interactions at various geographic and trophic levels to understand their impacts on emergent ecosystem properties. Researchers with a focus on the impact of climate change are of particular interest. Successful candidates will have the opportunity to collaborate with faculty from additional departments within the Davis College such as Landscape Architecture, additional departments and centers across the TTU campus such as environmental engineering, TIEHH, and the Climate Center, and will be expected to work closely with researchers within TTU-HSC and the Institute for One Health Innovation.

All prospective employees are encouraged to visit Work at Texas Tech to learn more about becoming a part of our campus community.

Established in 1923, Texas Tech University is a Carnegie R1 (very high research activity) Doctoral/Research-Extensive, Hispanic Serving, and state-assisted institution. Located on a beautiful 1,850-acre campus in Lubbock, a city in West Texas with a growing metropolitan-area population of over 300,000, the university enrolls over 40,000 students with 33,000 undergraduate and 7,000 graduate students. As the primary research institution in the western two-thirds of the state, Texas Tech University is home to 10 colleges, the Schools of Law and Veterinary Medicine, and the Graduate School.

The flagship of the Texas Tech University System, Texas Tech is dedicated to student success by preparing learners to be ethical leaders for a diverse and globally competitive workforce. It is committed to enhancing the cultural and economic development of the state, nation, and world.

About Lubbock:
Referred to as the "Hub City" because it serves as the educational, cultural, economic, and health care hub of the South Plains region, Lubbock boasts a diverse population and a strong connection to community, history, and land. With a mild climate, highly rated public schools, and a low cost of living, Lubbock is a family-friendly community that is ranked as one of the best places to live in Texas.

Lubbock is home to a celebrated and ever-evolving music scene, a vibrant arts community, and is within driving distance of Dallas, Austin, Santa Fe, and other major metropolitan cities. Lubbock's Convention & Visitors Bureau provides a comprehensive overview of the Lubbock community and its resources, programs, events, and histories.

The Davis College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources is home to the departments of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Agricultural Education and Communications, Animal and Food…