Professor and Head
Listed on 2026-01-01
-
Education / Teaching
University Professor, Academic -
Management
Apply now Job no: 509959
Position type: Full-Time 12-Month
Department: 011100 - Plant and Soil Sciences
Location: Main Campus - Starkville, MS
Categories: Faculty, Executive/Administrative/Managerial
Position Open Date: Nov 20 2025
The Department of Plant and Soil Sciences (PSS) at Mississippi State University is seeking qualified individuals to join our dynamic and comprehensive academic unit as the Department Head. The Department Head will communicate and advocate for the department’s multidisciplinary teaching, research, Extension, and outreach programs, strengthening connections with agencies, clientele, stakeholder and civic groups, professional societies, and the public.
MSU’s multidisciplinary Department of Plant and Soil Sciences (PSS) hosts over 200 students in baccalaureate degrees in agronomy and horticulture, and master’s and doctoral degrees in agronomy, horticulture, and weed science, both in-person and online. We are housed within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), in the Division of Agriculture, Forestry, and Veterinary Medicine (DAFVM).
Fifty-five dedicated and involved faculty, on- and off campus, engage in teaching, research, extension, and/or service programs, many of whom carry joint appointments. The department holds two endowed chairs and faculty are nationally prominent, with four Fellows in national/international societies. Our diverse programs are sustained by 25 dependable support and professional staff.
Four regional Research and Extension Centers, strategically located throughout Mississippi serve as hubs for research via the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station (MAFES), and Extension, via the MSU Extension Service (MSU-ES). MAFES also has 12 branch research stations statewide, with most housing capacity in the plant sciences.
PSS teaching, learning, and research thrives with state-of-the-art laboratories, equipment and trained personnel. Our departmental home on the MSU campus, Dorman Hall, is under major renovation with plans to rededicate our modernized classrooms and labs in mid-2027.
Mississippi State University PSS prepares graduates, conducts research, and provides the most current information to aid Mississippi’s agricultural economy (combined value of $10 billion with 10.3 million acres under management). The state’s top commodities include soybean ($1.28 billion), corn ($496 million), cotton ($372 million), hay ($171 million), rice ($168 million), horticultural crops ($115 million), sweet potato ($82 million), peanut ($25 million), and wheat ($19 million).
The department is committed to enhancing its statewide, national and international reputation for excellence. More information about the department can be found at http://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..
July 1, 2026.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities- Establishes/maintains effective relationships with key decision-makers/leaders and communicates regularly to improve department activities.
- Reports regularly to superiors. Advocates/negotiates for optimum combinations of human resources, funds, and other resources to achieve program missions on a priority basis.
- Review/evaluates plans of work, programs, publications and other educational services. Recommends continuation and/or modification to ensure complementary and supportive efforts by all faculty/staff.
- Participates in leadership meetings with the Dean of CALS, Director of MAFES, Director of MSU-ES, and the Vice President of DAFVM, reporting on and representing the department; and sharing information back to the department.
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