Assistant Professor - Plant Health & Microbe Interactions

Inside Higher Ed; Amherst (MA); On-site; USD 79,350 - 116,002; Full time

Job summary

A public research university in Massachusetts is seeking an Assistant Professor in Plant Health and Microbe Interactions. The role involves developing a research program in innovative plant disease management, focusing on horticultural crops important to the region. Candidates should hold a Ph.D. and demonstrate expertise in plant health and disease ecology. The expected salary range is $79,350 to $116,002, making this an attractive opportunity for qualified applicants.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. required by appointment start date.
• Postdoctoral experience desirable.
• Expected to secure extramural funding.

Responsibilities

• Develop a research program in plant-microbe interactions.
• Collaborate with various stakeholders to find practical solutions.
• Teach and mentor undergraduate and graduate students.

Skills

Plant health expertise

Disease ecology knowledge

Collaborative skills

Communication skills

Education

Ph.D. in Plant Pathology or related field

Job description

Assistant Professor – Plant Health & Microbe Interactions

• Job no: 528621
• Work type: Faculty Full Time
• Location: UMass Amherst
• Department: Stockbridge School of Agriculture
• Union: MSP
• Categories: Faculty, College of Natural Sciences, Tenure Track

About UMass Amherst

The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land‑grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450 acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state‑of‑the‑art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued—and thrives—and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world.

About The Stockbridge School Of Agriculture

The Stockbridge School of Agriculture (SSA) plays a vital role in advancing the College’s and University’s strategic goals in agriculture, horticulture and soils through three focus areas: soil and environmental health; sustainable farming and landscapes; and plant health. SSA functions as a full university department. We offer excellent 4‑year undergraduate degree programs (on‑campus and online), solid graduate education and research, and significant knowledge transfer and translation of our applied research through collaborations with UMass Extension and CAFE. Uniquely, SSA also offers highly applied 2‑year AS degrees. SSA contributes to UMass’s ranking as a top agricultural university nationally and globally (US News) and is committed to fostering this globally recognized research success. We also continue to ensure excellent education in our areas of expertise for all students, particularly through highly ranked programs (DataUSA 2022) in Sustainable Food & Farming (no.1) and Turf (no. 6), and a large online program generating over $2 million total revenue.

Job Summary

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. We are seeking talented applicants qualified for an assistant professor position. Under exceptional circumstances, highly qualified candidates at other ranks may receive consideration. This position is vital to addressing the growing challenges in plant disease management, especially as climate change intensifies the emergence and spread of pathogens in both agricultural and urban landscape systems. The successful candidate will be expected to develop a nationally and internationally recognized research program that integrates fundamental investigations of plant‑microbe interactions with applied, translational approaches that deliver field‑level disease management solutions. Emphasis should be placed on horticultural and specialty crops of economic importance to Massachusetts and the New England region. Areas of research may include—but are not limited to—host resistance, biocontrol, plant‑soil‑microbe interactions, advanced diagnostic and genomic technologies, and precision disease management. Candidates with demonstrated expertise in applying cutting‑edge techniques (e.g., molecular genomics, computational, AI/machine‑learning tools, and/or precision agriculture technologies) to address both basic mechanisms and practical disease management challenges are especially encouraged to apply. The candidate is expected to 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 in Massachusetts and the New England region. This position will also strengthen SSA’s cross‑disciplinary capacity in plant‑microbe‑soil systems and contribute to the resilience of regional food and landscape systems.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Plant Pathology, Plant Biology, Horticulture, or a closely related field (required by appointment start date).
• Postdoctoral experience or equivalent research experience is desirable.
• Demonstrated expertise in plant health, disease ecology, or plant‑microbe interactions.
• Evidence of research productivity (publications, presentations, grants).
• Experience or 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.

Additional Details

The expected start date of this position is September 1, 2026. Information for prospective faculty: https://www.umass.edu/prospective-faculty/

Salary Information

It is expected that the salary range for this position is between $79,350 and $116,002.

Special Instructions to Applicants

• Along with the application, please submit: 1) a cover letter outlining qualifications and interest in the position, 2) curriculum vitae (CV) detailing education, professional experience, publications, grants, and awards, 3) a statement of teaching philosophy and goals, and 4) statement of research interests and goals.

Application Review and Contact

Review of applicants will begin 15 November 2025, and will continue until the ideal candidate is identified. Questions can be directed to the search committee chair, Dr. Geunhwa Jung ([e-mail]).

Contributions to the University’s Values and Strategic Goals

Candidates may be invited to describe how their work aligns with the university’s values and strategic goals, found here: Inclusive Excellence: College of Natural Sciences: UMass Amherst, and For the Common Good - 2024-2034: Strategic Plan: UMass Amherst. These reflections offer insight into how applicants foster respectful collaboration, support student success, and contribute to an inclusive academic environment. This information is not used to exclude candidates, but to better understand their potential to advance departmental and institutional priorities. Search committees may request these reflections from candidate/applicants within the cover letter, teaching or research statements, as appropriate.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst welcomes all qualified applicants and complies with all state and federal anti‑discrimination laws.