Assistant Professor-Soil Health Research

South Dakota State University; Pierre (SD); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation benefits

State employee benefits

Retirement plan with 6% match

Paid holidays and vacation

Tuition reduction

Job summary

South Dakota State University (SDState) invites applications for an Assistant Professor – Soil Health Research in the AHPS department. Located in Pierre, SD, the 9‑month, full‑time position focuses on sustainable soil and crop management to boost soil health, nutrient cycling, and water use efficiency.

Responsibilities span research, teaching, and mentoring within a collaborative team. The role emphasizes securing external funding and contributing to extension programs, with course delivery in

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in soil science, agronomy, or closely related field by appointment date.
• Evidence of scholarly productivity (peer-reviewed publications or presentations).
• Experience teaching soil science or related courses (TA or instructor).
• Postdoctoral or professional research experience.
• Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Valid driver’s license or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate on precision farming research to improve soil health and water use efficiency.
• Publish scholarly work in peer‑reviewed journals and mentor graduate students.
• Develop region‑specific information for producers, crop specialists, and resource managers.
• Teach graduate-level courses relevant to AHPS/Cafes curriculum.
• Coordinate with SDSU’s Dakota Lakes Research Farm and Extension programs.

Skills

Scholarly productivity

Teaching soil science

Written communication

Interpersonal communication

Postdoctoral experience

Driver's license

Education

Ph.D. in soil science/ agronomy/ related field

Job description

South Dakota State University (SDState) is seeking an Assistant Professor – Soil Health Research in the Department of Agronomy, Horticulture & Plant Science. The incumbent will be a critical member of a collaborative precision farming research team and is expected to explore sustainable soil and crop management practices that can increase soil aggregation, soil profile water storage, reduce compaction, increase nutrient cycling, and increase water/nutrient use efficiency to improve the resiliency of crop production in South Dakota. This position is located in Pierre. 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 is a multidisciplinary department with the size and breadth to address today’s complex scientific issues while retaining the student-centered focus, an SDSU plant science hallmark. All of our programs feature a carefully designed balance of theoretical principles and hands‑on experience to produce a well‑rounded graduate who is prepared for the 21st century workplace. As a result, our graduates are in high demand and frequently have jobs before graduation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The incumbent will be a critical member of a collaborative precision farming research team. The incumbent is expected to explore sustainable soil and crop management practices that can increase soil aggregation, soil profile water storage, reduce compaction, increase nutrient cycling, and increase water/nutrient use efficiency to improve the resiliency of crop production in South Dakota. The incumbent will develop science-based, region specific, information for agricultural producers, crop specialists and natural resource managers that enables climate-smart decision-making that supports optimum crop yields, soil health, and environmental stewardship. Publication of scholarly work in peer-reviewed journals and graduate student mentoring is expected of the successful candidate. The incumbent will be positioned in the Pierre, South Dakota Regional Extension Center and will play a cooperative and collaborative role in the research programing of the Dakota Lakes Research Farm operated by the Agricultural Experiment Station.

Scholarly/Research:

This role directly aligns with SDSU’s commitment to Science Sciences. Beyond research, this position is vital for securing competitive grant funding that supports SDSU’s research infrastructure and benefits the broader agricultural community. Funding may come from various sources—including USDA NIFA, FFAR, and SARE, state-level grants, commodity groups, foundations, and industry collaborations.

Teaching/Advising

This individual is expected to have a strong commitment to teaching and serving the needs of students from AHPS. Teaching responsibilities will include a graduate level course courses relevant to the department’s and CAFESs curriculum.

Specific course information: PS-462/562 Environmental Soil Management and other courses as needed.

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:

• Ph.D. in soil science, agronomy, or closely related field successfully completed by the appointment date is required.
• Potential for scholarly productivity, including peer-reviewed journal articles and/or presentations at scientific meetings.
• Experience teaching soil science, or closely related, courses (either as TA or instructor of record).
• Postdoctoral research experience or professional research experience.
• Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Valid driver’s license or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in developing competitive external grant proposals.
• Collaborative research and/or outreach efforts.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

Position closes 12/04/2026.

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, Keerthi Mandyam, [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].