Assistant Professor - Plant Health & Microbe Interactions

UMass Amherst•Amherst, NY

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Stockbridge School of Agriculture (SSA) at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is seeking applications for a 9-month, full time, tenure-track Assistant Professor in Plant Health and Plant-Microbe Interactions, with a focus on innovative and sustainable approaches to managing plant diseases. The SSA plays a vital role in advancing the College’s and University’s strategic goals in agriculture, horticulture and soils through three focus areas: soil and environmental health; sustainable farming and landscapes; and plant health. SSA functions as a full University department, offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs, and knowledge transfer through collaborations with UMass Extension and CAFE. The school also offers applied 2-year AS degrees and contributes to UMass’s ranking as a top Agricultural University.

Requirements

Ph.D. in Plant Pathology, Plant Health, Microbiology, or a closely related field (required by appointment start date).
Demonstrated expertise in plant pathology, plant health, plant disease ecology, or plant-microbe interactions.
Strong evidence of research productivity (publications, presentations, grants).
Experience or demonstrated potential for securing extramural funding.
Teaching experience or potential to teach and mentor effectively at the undergraduate and graduate level.
Excellent communication and collaborative skills.

Nice To Haves

Postdoctoral experience or equivalent research experience is desirable.
Candidates with demonstrated expertise in applying state-of-the-art techniques—such as molecular, genomic, computational, AI/machine learning, and/or precision agriculture tools—to address both basic mechanisms and practical disease management challenges are especially encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

Develop, evaluate, and apply innovative strategies for plant disease management, addressing the increasing complexity of plant disease challenges facing agricultural systems.
Develop a nationally and internationally recognized research program focused on plant pathogens, integrating fundamental investigations of plant-microbe interactions with applied, translational approaches that deliver field-level disease management solutions.
Conduct research with an emphasis on horticultural and specialty crops of economic importance to Massachusetts and the Northeast region, though research on other crops will also be considered.
Integrate modern technologies to understand plant pathogens and their ecology.
Apply state-of-the-art techniques such as molecular, genomic, computational, AI/machine learning, and/or precision agriculture tools to address both basic mechanisms and practical disease management challenges.
Collaborate with SSA faculty across disciplines, faculty from other departments, UMass Extension educators, farmers, and other stakeholders to generate and disseminate research-based, practical solutions for emerging and economically significant plant diseases.
Strengthen SSA’s cross-disciplinary capacity in plant-microbe-soil systems and contribute to the resilience of regional food and landscape systems.
Work collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, equality and inclusiveness.
Work in partnership with colleagues within the CNS community and across the campus to support the Dean’s strategic priorities.
Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the College of Natural Sciences.