Assistant Professor - Plant Health & Microbe Interactions

About the role

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.

Responsibilities

• Develop, evaluate, and apply innovative strategies for plant disease management, addressing the increasing complexity of plant disease challenges.
• Contribute to SSA's cross-disciplinary capacity in plant-microbe-soil systems and regional food and landscape system resilience.
• 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.
• Work collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, equality, and inclusiveness.
• Support the Dean’s strategic priorities by working in partnership with colleagues within the CNS community and across the campus.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Plant Pathology, Plant Health, Microbiology, or a closely related field (required by appointment start date).
• Postdoctoral experience or equivalent research experience is desirable.
• 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.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Plant Pathology, Plant Health, Microbiology, or a closely related field (required by appointment start date).
• Postdoctoral experience or equivalent research experience is desirable.
• 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.

Skills

• 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.
• Ability to collaborate with SSA faculty across disciplines, faculty from other departments, UMass Extension educators, farmers, and other stakeholders.
• Strong communication and collaborative skills.

Benefits

Not specified.

Pay

The expected salary range for this position is between $79,350 and $122,191.

Schedule

The preferred start date is as early as possible (ideally February 1, 2027). However, the start date is negotiable, and candidates who prefer a later appointment, including a start date as late as September 1, 2027, are encouraged to discuss their availability.