Position Function:
The Department of Biological Sciences at Mississippi State University (MSU) invites applicants for 9-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor positions. We anticipate hires in two broad research areas, Microbiology and Evo-devo.
Salary Grade: UC
For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.
Area of Specialization:
Microbiology and Evo-devo.
Anticipated Appointment Date:
August 16, 2026
Tenure Track Status:
Tenure-Track
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Successful candidates are expected to establish an externally funded research program and contribute to the service mission of the department. Faculty are also expected to teach one course each semester in support of the undergraduate and graduate curricula (M.S. and Ph.D.). Appointment will be at the rank of Assistant Professor (tenure-track) with an anticipated start date of August 16, 2026. We further encourage applicants who are passionate scholars conducting hypothesis-driven research, especially those involving interdisciplinary and collaborative initiatives. We are also interested in candidates that combine wet lab or field-based research with computational or quantitative approaches.
Minimum Qualifications:
Minimum requirements include a Ph.D. in a relevant field and evidence of sustained productivity and teaching competence.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Microbiology position:
We seek candidates studying fundamental questions in microbiology or host-microbe interactions/microbiome sciences, including but not limited to bacteriology, eukaryotic microbiology, virology, pathogenesis, immunology, microbial ecology, and environmental microbiology.
Evo-devo position:
We seek candidates studying fundamental questions in the evolution of development, including but not limited to genetic regulation, phenotypic novelty, epigenetics, phenotypic plasticity, and evolution of behavior. Candidates studying model or non-model organisms are equally encouraged to apply.
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
The majority of the work is performed in a classroom or lab environment. Some duties include hands on instruction, which could involve moderate exposure to extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises.
Department Profile
The Department of Biological Sciences provides in-house research infrastructure including new imaging and high-performance computing resources. Core facilities within the department also include a BSL-2 AALAC-accredited animal care facility, a forest reserve, and common-use molecular and imaging facilities. The department also houses the Mississippi State University herbarium (MISSA), which is part of a campus-wide museums and galleries group (www.museums.msstate.edu).
The department offers B.S. (Biological Sciences, Medical Technology, and Microbiology), M.S., and Ph.D. (Biological Sciences, Computational Biology) degrees. Faculty in the department have diverse research interests in bioinformatics, cell biology, developmental biology, ecology, evolutionary biology, genetics, microbiology, and systematics, and have been recently funded by a variety of agencies including NIH, NSF (including four current CAREER awards), DOE, DARPA, USDA, USDT, and DOJ, as well as state and private organizations. Biology faculty interact with other campus research centers and institutes (www.research.msstate.edu/centers-institutes) and have ongoing collaborations involving all eight of the university’s colleges.
Mississippi State University is a comprehensive Carnegie R1 “Very High Research Activity” campus and a top-100 university by research expenditure. The campus is situated in a small, inclusive community boasting an exceptional standard of living (https://starkville.org). Within a short drive of Starkville are more than 120,000 acres of state and federal natural areas, with abundant opportunities for research and recreation. This includes the Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge (https://www.fws.gov/refuge/sam-d-hamilton-noxubee), and the Tombigbee National Forest. We are Mississippi’s land-grant institution and principal research university with an enrollment of 23,000 students.
Instructions for Applying:
Applicants must upload the following:
• a cover letter synthesizing your experience and interest in the position.
• a CV
• a statement of research expertise and goals (3-page maximum).
• a statement of teaching interests and competency (2-page maximum).
• contact information for three references.
• reprints of up to three publications.
Your research and teaching statements should include plans for mentoring undergraduate and graduate students of different backgrounds and experience levels in a supportive and productive team environment.
Screening of applications for both positions will begin December 1, 2025. At this time, MSU is unable to offer H-1B visa sponsorship for this role. This applies until further notice.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.
What do I do if I need an accommodation?
In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.
If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.
