Assistant Professor (Tenure-track) position at Colorad State University

Systems Biology; Colorado; On-site; USD 83,000 - 93,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading academic institution in Colorado seeks a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Plant-Microbe Interactions. Candidates should possess a Ph.D. and demonstrate research excellence in the field. Responsibilities include developing a research program, teaching, and course development. Salary is competitive, ranging from $83,000 to $93,000, with applications due by October 12, 2025.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in biology or a related field required.
• Demonstrated research in plant-microbe interactions.
• Postdoctoral experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Establish and sustain a funded research program.
• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses.
• Develop a new advanced graduate-level course.

Skills

Research program development

Peer-reviewed publication

Teaching/mentoring

Grant writing

Education

Ph.D. in Biology or related field

Job description

Overview

Assistant Professor (Tenure-track) position at Colorado State University

• Company Name: Colorado State University
• Position Title: Assistant Professor (Tenure-track)
• Location: Department of Biology at Colorado State University

Summary of Position

The Department of Biology at Colorado State University invites applications for a faculty position at the Assistant Professor level in the field of Plant-Microbe Interactions to join a dynamic department of diverse faculty whose research spans from the subcellular to ecosystem levels in both animal and plant systems. We seek a creative, collaborative, and visionary plant biologist to establish an internationally recognized research program at the forefront of plant-microbe interactions aimed at understanding how these interactions contribute to plant function. We are broadly interested in applicants who integrate cutting-edge cellular, molecular, genetic, genomic, physiological, ecological, synthetic, system biology, and AI approaches to advance our understanding of interactions between plants and their associated microbial communities.

Research Focus

Examples of potential areas of research include but are not limited to: plant-soil feedback mechanisms, microbial modulation of plant traits, chemical and cellular signaling pathways between plants and microbes, mechanisms of microbial-mediated stress resilience in plants, engineering of plant-microbe interactions to improve plant health, and use of AI in developing predictive models of plant and soil health based on microbial composition.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will establish and sustain an innovative, extramurally funded research program focused on fundamental questions in plant-microbe interactions. They will disseminate research findings through publication in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at national and international conferences. The faculty member will contribute to the department's core teaching mission at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. They will also have the opportunity to develop a new advanced graduate-level course in their specific area of expertise.

Qualifications

Required: Ph.D. in biology, or a related field, and evidence of a successful research program in plant-microbe interactions as demonstrated by peer-reviewed publications. Preferred: postdoctoral experience, intellectual leadership, evidence of successful grant writing, teaching/mentoring experience, and engagement in service/outreach activities.

Salary

Salary range is $83,000–$93,000.

Position Availability

As early as August 16, 2026.

University and Local Environment

Fort Collins consistently ranks as one of the best places to live and work in the country. The city is home to Colorado State University, with a community of about 173,000 people, located along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. CSU is a land-grant institution with 57 academic departments in 8 colleges, housing more than 75 majors and over 33,000 students. The university collaborates with several state and federal research agencies in the Fort Collins area, including the Agricultural Genetic Resources Preservation Research Unit, the State Forest Service, the US Forest Service, the US Geological Survey, the National Wildlife Research Center, the USDA-Agricultural Research Service, the National Park Service, and the Bureau of Land Management. The University of Colorado Boulder, the University of Colorado Health Science Center and Denver University, and the University of Wyoming are within a one-hour drive.

How to Apply

To apply, submit a cover letter, Curriculum Vitae, a 3-page research statement, a 2-page teaching philosophy, and three representative publications. Include the names and contact information of three references and request them to submit letters of recommendation. For a full position announcement and to apply, visit https://jobs.colostate.edu/postings/165524. Applications received by 11:59 PM on October 12, 2025 will receive full consideration. Reference letters should be submitted by October 19, 2025. No mail-in applications or letters will be accepted. Materials of finalists, including letters of reference, will be made available for review by the entire faculty of the Department of Biology.

CSU is an EO employer and conducts background checks on all final candidates.