Working/Functional Title

Assistant Professor – Smart Ag Production Systems

Position Summary

The Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering (BAE) at Michigan State University (MSU) invites qualified applicants for a full-time academic year, tenure-system Assistant Professor position with 60% research, 30% teaching, and 10% service assignment.  The position start date is anticipated to be August 2025.

The successful candidate is expected to build a nationally recognized, extramurally funded research program, and to collaborate effectively with the biosystems and agricultural engineering faculty, and extensively with colleagues within the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the College of Engineering, and other departments on campus, as well as with outside stakeholder groups.  The program should take a systems approach to addressing agricultural sustainability in response to the impact of climate change and labor shortages in agriculture to improve productivity and resiliency of production agriculture.  The successful candidate will develop a collaborative program with faculty with expertise in such areas as sensors/sensing, machine vision, artificial intelligence, big data and data analytics, and internet of things (IoT), with emphasis on automation and mechanization in crop and animal production systems and management.

Successful candidates also must be able to demonstrate training/experience sufficient to teach core undergraduate biosystems engineering courses including a course in Precision Agriculture in the recently launched minor in Smart Agricultural Systems, as well as graduate-level courses in their area of expertise. In addition to sustaining an active research program, the faculty will be responsible for teaching and mentoring graduate/undergraduate students, serving on departmental, college, and university committees, and engaging in service through professional networks and organizations.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Doctorate

Minimum Requirements

An earned Ph.D. in Biosystems/Biological/Agricultural or Systems Engineering or closely related field relevant to the priority areas above and a demonstrated record of research and teaching experience. Candidates should be able to demonstrate the ability and commitment to work cooperatively with colleagues across disciplines and develop a collaborative scholarly program at the intersections of engineering and agricultural sciences.  

Desired Qualifications

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Capability to develop a scholarly program at the interface of engineering and agricultural sciences.
• Evidence of commitment and dedication to teaching and mentoring a diverse student population preparing for careers in academia, industry, or government.
• A record of research funding or demonstrated potential to secure competitive funding from agencies such as the USDA NIFA, NSF, foundations, private industry, etc.
• Evidence of peer-reviewed publications and the ability to establish stakeholder partnerships.
• Interest in engaging external stakeholders in program development and implementation.

Required Application Materials

Upload the following required documents: a) letter of interest that includes qualifications for the position; b) statement of research and teaching philosophy highlighting how your experiences align with the position (2-page maximum); c) current curriculum vitae; d) a description of how you will contribute to CANR’s positive culture, fair access to resources, and creating a sense of belonging; and e) contact information for three professional references. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Special Instructions

Questions regarding this position can be addressed to the Search Committee Chair: Dr. Ajit Srivastava, Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA, srivasta@msu.edu.

Screening of applicants will begin on February 17, 2025.

Review of Applications Begins On

02/17/2025

Website

https://www.canr.msu.edu/bae/

Department Statement

The Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering (BAE): BAE is a national leader in education, research, and outreach in the discipline, with nationally ranked undergraduate and graduate programs in biosystems engineering. The department has been fully engaged in meeting the changing needs of society since 1906, with a current mission to improve the quality of life by integrating and applying principles of engineering and biology to systems involving food, environment, energy, and health.

Commitment to Creating a Sense of Belonging: Michigan State University occupies the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary Lands of the Anishinaabeg – Three Fires Confederacy of Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi people. The University resides on Land ceded in the 1819 Treaty of Saginaw.

Michigan State University is dedicated to achieving excellence by fostering an environment that welcomes a broad range of perspectives and experiences, ensuring that all individuals have the opportunity to contribute and thrive. We are an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer. The CANR is particularly interested in candidates of all backgrounds who are committed to the principle that academic excellence is achieved through open access and proactive inclusion. Candidates are invited to view Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Community Norms at  Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Department of Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering.

Location: 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 international leadership in basic and applied research and excellence in teaching. In addition, consistent with its Land Grant origins, the MSU community pursues international engagement and provides strong extension programs that partner with diverse stakeholders to provide much needed research in the areas of food, energy, water and the environment. MSU enjoys a park‐like campus with outlying research facilities and natural areas. The campus is located in the city of East Lansing, adjacent to the capital city of Lansing. The Lansing metropolitan area has a diverse population of >500,000. Local communities have excellent school systems and place a high value on education. The University is proactive about its obligations under the ADA and provides individual accessibility plans to students and employees with disabilities. Michigan State University is also proactive in exploring opportunities for employment for dual career families, both inside and outside the University, and respects all family forms. Information about MSU’s dual career support and other types of support for balancing work and personal lives at MSU can be found at http://worklife.msu.edu/

Salary and Benefits: Salary will be commensurate with qualifications. MSU offers a generous benefits package (details at https://hr.msu.edu/benefits/index.html).

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.