Position Function:
The Department of Agricultural & Biological Engineering (ABE) at Mississippi State University (MSU) invites applications for a tenure track, 12-month, assistant/associate professor position in agricultural and biological engineering focused on agricultural technology and its application to cropping systems. This Position will have a 100% Extension appointment. Applicants should be committed to excellence in extension programming and informal teaching and be able to articulate a prospective applied research program that meets the needs of associated agricultural industries in Mississippi and the United States. Candidates with expertise in all areas of agricultural and biosystems engineering and technology will be considered, but strengths in crop production, precision-agriculture and/or autonomous-agriculture machinery and systems, rural broadband wireless communications, and/or rural energy systems including “solar farming” (a.k.a. agrivoltaics) are particularly desirable. Women, minorities, and other under-represented groups are highly encouraged to apply.
Salary Grade: UC
Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.
Department Profile:
ABE has an energetic group of 18 on-campus faculty members engaged in teaching, research, and extension, as well as several other faculty members at MUS-affiliated research centers and adjuncts employed elsewhere. We have a strong culture of mentoring junior faculty members to help them attain success. Our department is co-administered by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the Bagley College of Engineering, and it offers undergraduate (B.S.) and graduate (M.S. and Ph.D.) degrees in three distinct program areas: Biomedical Engineering and Bio-systems Engineering, which are both accredited by ABET, and Agricultural Engineering Technology and Business. Within these programs, the department has over 400 undergraduates and 40 graduate students. The department has ongoing collaborations with MSU’s School of Veterinary Medicine, Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems, and several other centers, institutes, and departments. The J. Charles Lee Agricultural and Biological Engineering Building includes more than 6,000 square feet of state-of-the-art instructional and research facilities, and it includes separate labs for sterile tissue culture, bio-mechanical testing, environmental and agricultural simulation or modeling studies, electronic/robotic design fabrication and testing, GPS/GIS, renewable bio-energy, and student computing resources. More information about ABE can be found at http://www.abe.msstate.edu/.
MSU, a Carnegie Foundation R1-Very High Research Activity Doctoral University, is a comprehensive public institution with more than 23,000 undergraduate and graduate students and nearly 1,500 full-time faculty members. Representative of the American land-grant tradition yet distinctive in character and spirit, MSU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate, masters, specialist, and doctoral degrees. MSU’s researchers are assisted by a supportive research administration to place MSU among the top 100 universities in the nation in research and development in the sciences and engineering. A member of the Southeastern Conference, MSU is a major athletic competitor on the national stage, having won the NCAA baseball national championship in 2021. The university is located in Starkville, Mississippi, a historic city with a population of about 25,000, roughly 2 hours by car from Memphis, Birmingham, and Jackson and roughly 4 hours from New Orleans, Atlanta, and Nashville. Starkville is a vibrant college town with several signature weekend events highlighting arts, culture, and sports. Its location opens doors to adventures and relaxation in natural settings. Like the state of Mississippi, Starkville is also known for its southern hospitality, welcomes all people and embraces diversity. Websites for the Chamber of Commerce (https://www.starkville.org/support/) and city schools (https://www.starkvillesd.com/) are good sources of additional information.
Area of Specialization:
Precision-agriculture and autonomous-agriculture machinery and systems; Rural broadband wireless communications; Rural energy systems including "solar farming"
Anticipated Appointment Date:
January 1, 2025.
Tenure Track Status:
Yes.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Conduct applied research: identify research and operational needs related to this type of agricultural technology that are currently relevant or emerging in Mississippi, the mid-south, and the nation.
2. Disseminate research: author peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed articles, post information on social media, and present findings at relevant professional meetings and conferences.
3. Develop extension programs: identify new education and outreach opportunities in this type of agricultural technology, develop extension program materials, and educate stakeholders at extension events.
4. Provide expertise: disseminate knowledge of this kind of agricultural technology to other Extension personnel, individuals (adult and youth), commodity groups, industry, government, nongovernmental organizations, and others.
5. Cultivate relationships: interface with private stakeholders and government members to coordinate research and government assistance programs in order to support economic development and environmental stewardship.
6. Provide leadership: organize and operate within interdisciplinary teams to disseminate research results through education and outreach to address federal, state, and local priorities.
Minimum Qualifications:
Education: Earned PhD. in Agricultural Engineering or Agricultural Engineering Technology or closely related degree discipline.
2. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
3. Basic skills in mechatronics.
4. Demonstrated knowledge of geospatial technologies including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), remote sensing data and applications.
Preferred Qualifications:
1. Strong interpersonal skills.
2. Demonstrated publication experience.
3. Demonstrated experience presenting technical materials to an audience.
4. Three years’ experience in conducting applied research.
5. Demonstrated success in obtaining and managing competitive extramural funding both individually and in conjunction with interdisciplinary teams.
6. Part 107 pilot license for unmanned aerial systems.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
1. Excellent written and oral communication skills.
2. Knowledge of scientific and research methodologies.
3. Skill in the use of personal computers and basic software applications.
4. Ability to independently accomplish goals, establish priorities, and organize resources.
5. Ability to work well in a team and foster a cooperative work environment.
6. Demonstrated organizational and leadership abilities.
7. Ability to adapt in changing environments of issues, clientele, and funding
8. Basic skills in mechatronics.
9. Demonstrated knowledge of geospatial technologies including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), remote sensing data and applications.
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
1. Depending on the direction of extension programs, could require a significant amount of outdoors work and limited lifting and climbing on and off equipment.
2. Frequently requires walking, sitting, standing reaching, talking, hearing, and handling objects with hands.
3. Frequently involves externally imposed deadlines beyond the incumbent’s control.
4. Some travel may be required.
Instructions for Applying:
Link to apply: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/
Link to apply: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/
Submit (1) a letter of application highlighting qualifications, experience, and interests, (2) a curriculum vitae, (3) a statement on your philosophy of extension education, (4) three professional references including names, contact information, and relationship, and (5) an official transcript. Any social security numbers included on requested transcripts should be redacted prior to submitting online.
Screening Date:
October 10, 2024, until filled.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
MSU is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, gender identity, status as a U.S. veteran, and/or any other status protected by applicable law. We always welcome nominations and applications from women, members of any minority group, and others who share our passion for building a diverse community that reflects the diversity in our student population.
What do I do if I need an accommodation?
In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.
If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.
