Assistant Professor, Cropping System Agronomist, *Havre, MT*

This tenure track position is located at Northern Agricultural Research Center (NARC), a diversified crop and livestock research facility located seven miles southwest of Havre, MT (pop. 9,400). Havre offers year-round outdoor recreation opportunities such as hunting, fishing, hiking, boating, golfing, skiing, and ice skating. Cultural attractions include museums, galleries, concerts, and live theater.

Historical attractions nearby include the Montana Dinosaur Trail, Bear Paw Battlefield, Fort Assinniboine, and the Wahkpa Chu'gn Buffalo Jump. Havre is a small town with a low crime rate and is the regional commercial hub for the Hi-Line. Also located in Havre, but not part of the research center, is Montana State University-Northern, north central Montana's comprehensive university offering programs and degrees at the associate, baccalaureate, and master's levels.

Duties and Responsibilities

This is a twelve-month tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant Professor level with research (80%), outreach (10%), and service (10%) responsibilities funded by the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station and the College of Agriculture.The Cropping Systems Agronomist will develop and lead an applied, field-oriented research program that investigates the cultural practices of major commodity crops as well as potential alternative crops in northern Montana to enhance sustained production and economic viability of the region's farmers. The Department seeks an individual who will identify cropping systems research needs through discussions with stakeholders.

The research area may include examining economically sustainable wheat-based production systems in north central Montana by evaluating adaptation and management strategies for potential alternative crops and rotations, investigating the impacts of biotic and abiotic factors within cropping systems practiced in a semi-arid rainfed environment, and applying precision agriculture technology to crop management and decision-making within new, intensified, and alternative cropping systems in Montana. The cropping systems agronomist may also take advantage of the 300 head of range beef cattle at this facility and expand research into crop-livestock systems. It is expected that the cropping systems agronomist will work in collaboration with the existing cereal, oilseed, and pulse crop variety development and testing program at NARC, currently managed by a full-time research scientist, along with the precision agriculture research and extension specialist.

The incumbent is also expected to cooperate with other MSU and public-sector scientists, extension personnel, farmers, private industry, advisory groups, and commodity organizations to develop research priorities and assist in developing management recommendations.The cropping systems agronomist is expected to communicate research findings to scientific communities in oral and written formats, including refereed and reviewed publications, and participate in outreach activities, including development of extension-related materials and delivering educational opportunities through presentations to relevant stakeholders. Securing extramural funds from state, regional and national sources, as well as the agricultural industry, is required. The opportunities exist to mentor undergraduate and graduate students.We seek individuals who work professionally and effectively with diverse individuals, possess excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills and have the ability to contribute positively to the academic success of the students and the mission of Montana State University.

Required Qualifications

• Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

Ph.D. in Agronomy, Crop Science, Plant Physiology, or a closely related field, at time of hire.
Documented experience in crop production and cropping systems research.
Demonstrated experience in planning, designing, and implementing field research, and interpreting research results using accepted, innovative, and strategic scientific methodology.
Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed journal articles and outreach materials commensurate with training and experience.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

Documented successful grant writing experience.
Post-doctoral research experience.
Experience with dryland small grain and alternative crop production systems under semi-arid conditions similar to the Northern Great Plains region of North America.
Interest in integrating greenhouse trials to supplement field research.
Experience in applying precision agriculture technology for crop management and decision making.
Experience operating field research equipment including tractors, seeders, and combines.
Experience with producer outreach/extension educational activities.
Demonstrated ability interact/collaborate across academic disciplines and cultural diversity, both within the university and with external constituents.

The Successful Candidate Will
Be an engaging scientist who will:

Help MSU continue to provide innovative and impactful agricultural research.
Develop a successful and interdisciplinary agronomic research and education program addressing the needs in Montana agricultural sectors.
Utilize excellent written and oral communications skills.
Work cooperatively with people of diverse backgrounds.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

Must currently possess a valid US driver's license or equivalent and obtain a valid Montana driver's license within six months of hire.
Must possess or obtain a Montana Government Pesticide Applicator License within six months of hire.
In accordance with MSU policy, hiring will be conditional upon successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University's rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Physical Demands
This position will involve extensive work in the field. The successful candidate must have the ability to navigate uneven terrain on foot, work around dust, seeds, and pollen, work in inclement weather, and move up to 60 pounds on occasion.To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodation. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

The Program

The Department
The Department of Research Centers represents a unique department with faculty and staff that conduct applied research and outreach/extension programs at seven off-campus research centers throughout Montana. The MAES Research Centers are located strategically throughout the state to address regional needs for agricultural producers. Graduate students in the department work within other departments (e.g., Plant Sciences & Plant Pathology or Land Resources and Environmental Science) to obtain their degrees.

The College
The College Founded in 1893 as a Land Grant University, Montana State University (MSU) is composed of nine academic colleges and a graduate school and boasts a friendly, supportive faculty and campus environment. Currently, the University hosts an enrollment of over 16,500 students, including approximately 2,000 graduate students. MSU is classified as R1 in the Carnegie Classification for "very high research activity," making it one of only 131 universities nationwide in that category.