Assistant Professor / Instructor – Forestry

About the role

The Department of Forestry at Michigan State University (MSU) invites applications for a full‐time, 12-month, fixed-term, non‐tenure track Assistant Professor (Ph.D.) or Instructor (M.S.) position focused on teaching and advising students in the Hybrid-Online M.S. in Forestry program, with a 90% teaching and 10% service assignment. The position’s start date is anticipated to be in early spring 2027 and will begin as a one‐year appointment with reappointments contingent on availability of funding and teaching needs.

Responsibilities

• Teach approximately 7 classes per year, including: 3 sections of the non-majors course Michigan’s Forests (FOR 101, 3 cr., online); Forest Measurements and Inventory (FOR 812, 2 cr., remote online); Advanced Silviculture (FOR 818, 2 cr., remote, online); Hybrid MS Professional Project (FOR 898, 2 cr., in-person); and co-teaching Professional Forestry Field Techniques (FOR 810 2 cr., in person)
• Serve as the primary advisor for students in the Hybrid M.S. program in Forestry
• May teach and/or develop additional forestry courses, depending on expertise and Department needs

Required qualifications

• An earned M.S. (for Instructor rank) or Ph.D. (for Assistant Professor rank) in forestry, natural resources, environmental science, or a closely related field
• A demonstrated record of outstanding teaching, training, and/or mentoring relevant to the position
• A strong commitment to student success

Desired qualifications

• Experience in online and field‐based teaching
• Experience with course development
• Work experience in professional forestry
• Demonstrated experience with different sectors of the forestry profession (e.g. public, private, consulting, NGO)
• Professional certification as a forester is desirable through a BS or MS from an SAF accredited program, achievement of Certified Forester status through SAF, or a similar pathway

About the department and location

The Department of Forestry is a vibrant, growing, internationally-recognized unit committed to interdisciplinary education, research and extension designed to understand and resolve environmental and natural resource issues. Established in 1902, MSU’s Department of Forestry was among the first undergraduate forestry programs in the U.S. and continues to innovate and lead in education, research and extension.

The position will be based at Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI, USA. 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 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 greater than 500,000. Local communities have excellent school systems and place a high value on education.

Application process

Submit your application online at http://careers.msu.edu to job number 1149243. Upload the following required documents: a) letter of interest that includes qualifications for the position; b) current curriculum vitae; c) statement of teaching philosophy that highlights your experience and approach to both online and in-person instruction (2‐page maximum); d) a statement of experience and training with professional forestry and your vision for applying this experience to advance the training and career opportunities for BS and Hybrid MS forestry; e) a description of how you will contribute to CANR’s positive culture, fair access to resources, and creating a sense of belonging; and f) contact information for three professional references. If available, candidates are encouraged to attach a teaching portfolio including syllabi, teaching evaluations, and examples of teaching activities.

The search committee will begin reviewing applications on August 31, 2026, and continue until a suitable candidate is selected. Questions regarding this position can be addressed to the Search Committee Chair: David Rothstein, Department of Forestry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA, phone: 1‐517‐432-3353, rothste2@msu.edu.