Job Information
Michigan State University(MSU) Ast Prof, Joe Vargas Endowed Turf Path in East Lansing, Michigan
Position Summary
Position: The Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences at Michigan State University invites applications for a full-time, 12-month tenure-system Assistant Professor with a 50% extension, 30% research, 15% teaching and 5% service assignment. The position start date is anticipated to be August 16, 2025.
In 2022, the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation provided a $1 million lead gift to endow the Joe Vargas Professorship in Turfgrass Pathology. The endowment honors Joe Vargas who dedicated his 55-year career to improving the quality of turf throughout the world. The individual who holds the Joe Vargas Professorship will utilize innovative techniques to tackle pressing disease challenges for solutions that positively impact the field of turfgrass science. Funds from the endowment will allow the candidate to conduct research in the area of greatest promise rather than being constrained by a specific grant opportunity. The research the candidate conducts with resources from the endowment, along with the benefits of being a part of a large research institution, will catalyze additional grant and research support. The candidate has access to the Hancock Turfgrass Research Center, which is a premier turfgrass research facility and boasts 56 acres of turfgrass, a fully functioning lab for diagnostics, treatment preparation, sample processing, and all the equipment necessary for routine plot maintenance including mowers, sprayers, aerators, seeders, and rollers. MSU recently began construction to modernize the Plant Science Greenhouses including state-of-the-art environmental controls and energy efficient LED lighting configured to external climate conditions.
The successful candidate is expected to develop a vigorous and nationally/internationally recognized extension, research, and teaching program in turfgrass pathology collaborating with faculty within, and outside of, the turfgrass discipline. The successful candidate will provide expertise and leadership in turfgrass pathology extension by serving the turf and landscape industries (golf courses, sports fields, residential turf, and sod farms). The successful candidate must have expertise in turfgrass pathology with a broad range of knowledge in areas such as best management practices on the etiology and control of turfgrass pathogens, disease resistance, and efforts to reduce pesticide inputs to protect and enhance environmental quality.
Instructional responsibilities will include teaching the undergraduate turfgrass pathology course. The incumbent will be expected to mentor graduate students, publish in refereed journals, secure competitive extramural funding, and interact with statewide turfgrass stakeholders. The successful candidate will be part of a dynamic, interdisciplinary team in turfgrass science and plant pathology with the opportunity to engage in collaborative research in plant sciences throughout MSU.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: Michigan State University is committed to the principles of equal opportunity, nondiscrimination and, in the context of employment, affirmative action. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, political persuasion, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, height, weight, veteran status, age or familial status.
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 -Plant pathology or a closely related field
Minimum Requirements
Applicants must have an earned doctorate in plant
