Assistant Professor / Instructor – Forestry

MSU Department of Forestry; East Lansing (MI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

MSU's Department of Forestry invites applications for a full-time, 12-month, fixed-term 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 start date is anticipated in early spring 2027. Based in East Lansing, MI, the successful candidate will teach multiple courses online and in person, advise graduate students, and contribute to curriculum

Qualifications

• Evidence of outstanding teaching, training, and mentoring relevant to the position.
• Experience with online and field-based teaching is preferred.
• Strong commitment to student success and diverse learners.

Responsibilities

• Teach approximately seven classes per year across online and in-person formats.
• Advise students in the Hybrid M.S. program in Forestry.
• Contribute to curriculum development and department needs.

Skills

Outstanding teaching

Online and field-based teaching

Education

M.S. in forestry or closely related field

Ph.D. in forestry or closely related field

Job description

Position description: 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 (https://www.canr.msu.edu/for/graduate/Hybrid-Online-MS-Degree/index), 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.

We seek candidates who will contribute to the dynamic learning environment in the Department of Forestry. The successful candidate should have evidence of outstanding teaching skills in diverse formats, including field settings and online. Preferred candidates will have a strong foundation in professional forestry, either through employment (i.e. with state or federal agencies, industrial forestry operations, consulting forestry, or an NGO) or through teaching in an SAF-accredited degree program. Initially, the successful candidate will be expected to teach ~7 classes per year, including 3 sections of the non‑majors course Michigan’s Forests (FOR 101, 3 cr., online) and the following courses required for the Hybrid MS program: 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). Teaching materials for all courses have been fully developed and are available. The successful candidate may teach and/or develop additional forestry courses, depending on the candidate’s area of expertise and Department needs. MSU has many mechanisms in place to support innovation in teaching and curriculum development. The successful candidate also will be the primary advisor for students in the Hybrid M.S. program in Forestry.

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, and 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.

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.

Location: The position will be based at Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI, USA. Michigan State University (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 is a diverse community of dedicated students and scholars, athletes and artists, and scientists that provide regional, national, and international leadership in basic and applied research and excellence in teaching. In addition, consistent with its Land Grant origins, the MSU community pursues international engagement and provides strong extension programs that partner with diverse stakeholders to provide much needed research in the areas of food, energy, water and the environment. 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. The University is proactive about its obligations under the ADA and provides individual accessibility plans to students and employees with disabilities. MSU is also proactive in exploring opportunities for employment for dual career families, both inside and outside the University, and respects all family forms. Information about MSU’s dual career support can be found at http://worklife.msu.edu/ The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University is committed to achieving excellence by creating and sustaining an accessible and inclusive culture that values cultural and academic diversity.

Salary and Benefits: Salary will be commensurate with qualifications. MSU offers a generous benefits package (details at https://hr.msu.edu/benefits/index.html ).

Review of Applications: 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, [e-mail].