Director of the Plant Resilience Institute at Michigan State University

Position Summary

Michigan State University is a top-ranked research university in the plant sciences and provides a stimulating atmosphere with interactive colleagues who offer exceptional breadth and depth in the study of plant resilience to biotic and abiotic stress. We invite applications for the position of Director of the Plant Resilience Institute (PRI; https://plantresilience.msu.edu/), to be appointed at the level of Associate or Full Professor. The successful applicant will have a strong record of research achievements in the broad areas of plant sciences. We are especially seeking individuals with research interests that complement and extend existing strengths at the PRI. The new director will maintain an active research program, provide scientific leadership, and coordinate research activities within the institute.

The research of PRI is intentionally collaborative across multiple programs. Accordingly, we seek applicants who are supportive of resilience-related research across broad disciplinary scales from molecules to ecosystems in plant systems, and who have the desire to participate in the formulation and implementation of cross-disciplinary research activities in these areas. Particular consideration will be given to individuals who promote interdisciplinary approaches to address fundamental biological questions of how plants interact with their phytobiome and its members and/or the environment, with the long-term goal of developing plants with improved performance under changing climate conditions and environmental stress. The new director will collaboratively steer the long-term vision of the PRI to support research endeavors in existing and emerging frontiers of plant resilience.

With core funding from Michigan State University, the PRI provides a committed environment for innovative research. The PRI Director and faculty members are jointly appointed in an academic department and are full members of the MSU tenure-stream faculty. The PRI Director could be appointed to the department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Horticulture, Entomology, Forestry, Plant Biology, or Plant, Soil and, Microbial Sciences.

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.

Minimum Requirements

•  PhD in appropriate field.
•  A record of research and teaching to justify appointment as Associate or Full Professor at Michigan State University.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in scientific leadership.

Required Application Materials

• CV
• Statement (five pages or less) covering
  1. research interests, past accomplishments, and future research plans;
  2. administrative or leadership experience and vision;
  3. past work and future plans to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion;
  4. teaching philosophy;
• Names and contact information of three references (who will not be contacted without your permission)

Review of Applications Begins On

09/15/2021

Website

https://plantresilience.msu.edu/

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.