Assistant Professor in Forage, Biofuel and Cover Crop Breeding

South Dakota State University; Brookings (SD); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation benefits

Tuition reduction

Job summary

South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, seeks a 9-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor in Forage, Biofuel and Cover Crop Breeding (80% research, 20% teaching). Lead a plant breeding program to improve sustainability and agroecosystem resiliency, collaborating with crop improvement and seed teams.

The role emphasizes publishing scholarly work, mentoring graduate students, and contributing to a nationally recognized research program.

Qualifications

• PhD required in plant science, agronomy, crop science, plant breeding or closely related field.
• Experience in an applied plant breeding program is expected.
• Postdoctoral research experience is preferred.
• Strong scholarly productivity potential (publications, talks).
• Experience teaching (TA or instructor of record) is required.
• Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop a science-based, region-specific forage, cover crop and biofuel breeding program.
• Collaborate with crop improvement and foundation seed teams.
• Publish in peer-reviewed journals and mentor graduate students.

Skills

Experience teaching

Excellent written communication

Interpersonal communication

Education

PhD in plant science, agronomy, crop science, plant breeding or related field

Tools

Genomics

Phenomics

AI for breeding

Job description

The Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science Department in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences at South Dakota State University is seeking a 9-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor in Forage, Biofuel and Cover Crop Breeding (80% research appointment in the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station; 20% teaching). Candidates are sought who bring a background in plant breeding, quantitative genetics, and/or field-scale breeding/analytics (i.e. precision agricultural techniques). The successful applicant will be expected to develop a nationally recognized research program in forage, biofuel and cover crop breeding that improves sustainability and agroecosystem resiliency. This position is located in Brookings. This position is a 9 Month, full-time, benefits-eligible position.

SDState is the state’s largest, most comprehensive university with over $94 million annual research expenditures, more than 200 academic programs and an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students. The university is part of a dynamic community for families, students, young professionals, and retirees, which offers an abundance of attractions and activities. The Department of Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science includes over 40 faculty whose expertise spans the fields of Agronomy, Entomology, Genetics, Horticulture, Plant Breeding, Plant Pathology, Precision Agriculture, Seed Science, Soil Science, and Weed Science. The Department has a robust research program that consistently ranks at the top of departments at SDSU. Discovery and dissemination of science-based knowledge are core missions of the department. Our faculty Extension Specialists and Field Specialists provide an effective structure for meeting this mission. In academic programs, the department provides nationally competitive training for undergraduate students leading to B.S. degrees in Agronomy, Horticulture and Precision Agriculture. Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science also offers a strong graduate training environment leading to M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Plant Science and Biological Sciences.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The incumbent will be a critical member of a collaborative plant breeding research team. The incumbent is expected to explore crop variety development with the goal to improve the resiliency and diversity of crop production in South Dakota. The incumbent will develop science-based, region specific, crop varieties for forage, cover crop and biofuel applications and is expected to work closely with crop improvement and foundation seed. Publication of scholarly work in peer-reviewed journals and graduate student mentoring is expected of the successful candidate. The incumbent will be positioned on the Brookings, SD, main campus.

BENEFITS:

SDState offers a wide range of excellent benefits including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave. We offer a generous retirement plan that includes 6% matching, 10 hours of annual leave each month, 9.34 hours of sick leave each month, and eleven paid holidays. Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions. Relocation benefits are available per university’s guidelines.

QUALIFICATIONS

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• PhD in plant science, agronomy, crop science, plant breeding or a closely related field with a focus on plant breeding, genetics, and/or agronomy completed by the start date.
• Experience in an applied plant breeding program.
• Familiarity with agronomic cropping systems relevant to forage, biofuel, or cover crop production.
• Postdoctoral research experience.
• Potential for scholarly productivity, including peer-reviewed journal articles and/or presentations at scientific meetings.
• The selected individual should have experience teaching (either as TA or instructor of record).
• Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Expertise in utilizing novel technologies, such as genomics, phenomics, and/or AI to enhance breeding efforts.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

Position closes 11/19/2026.

Any offer of employment is contingent on the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies, including but not limited to, successful completion of a criminal background check.

SDState is a tobacco free environment. It is the policy of the University to maintain a drug-free environment and to thereby establish, promote, and maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment for employees and students. This position is subject to South Dakota State University’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy 4:14.

For questions on the position, contact search committee chair, Karl Glover at [phone] or [e-mail].

South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to this land-grant access mission. SDSU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to, and SDSU prohibits unlawful discrimination of all legally protected classes in the offering of all educational programs and employment. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by emailing [e-mail]. Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact: Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Morrill Hall 100, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007. Phone: [phone].