Assistant Professor of Horticulture

The Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources at Kansas State University is seeking an Assistant Professor of Horticulture (60% teaching/40% research) to teach undergraduate courses in horticulture and to conduct extramurally funded researc...

  • 520853
  • Manhattan
  • Horticulture Natural Resources
  • Academic / Faculty - 12 month
  • Closing at: Mar 1 2026 - 20:30 CST
  • On-site
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About This Role

Assistant Professor of Horticulture (60% teaching/40% research) with expertise in landscape or production horticulture.

Duties/Responsibilities:

TEACHING:
• Support the undergraduate program by teaching courses in horticulture. Anticipated teaching load is approximately 10-11 credit hours per academic year, plus internship supervision for students and supervision of undergraduate research as needed. Depending on the successful candidate’s expertise, potential courses to be taught include introductory/general horticulture, landscape plant identification/use, interior plantscaping, plant propagation, a one-credit freshman orientation course, and/or a general interest course in horticulture for non-majors. Other courses may be considered depending on the candidate’s expertise. Development of courses for online delivery is expected, in consultation with the department head or online programs coordinator.
• Serve as faculty mentor to undergraduate students in the Production Horticulture and Landscape Horticulture options, and other options as needed.
• Serve as primary faculty advisor to the Horticulture Club.
• Participate in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SOTL), through course and curriculum development, peer-reviewed publications, and/or collaborative activities that are validated by peers and communicated to others in the field.

RESEARCH:
• Develop an externally funded research program focused on production horticulture or landscape management.
• Publish research in peer-reviewed journals.
• Collaborate on research projects with on- and off-campus faculty (off-campus faculty are located at the Olathe Horticulture Research and Extension Center, Olathe, KS, and the John C. Pair Horticulture Center, Haysville, KS).
• Contribute to graduate education by serving as major professor to 2-3 graduate students, serving on graduate committees, and publishing results with graduate students.

About Us

The Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources originated in 1871 making it one of the first and oldest departments at Kansas State University. Today, as our mission statement underscores, we are committed to educating outstanding undergraduate and graduate students, contributing significant research results to solve problems associated with our disciplines, and providing our constituencies across the state, region and nation with excellent extension programs.

Our department conducts its activities at a variety of locations with facilities on the main campus in Manhattan and outlying research and education centers.

Founded in 1863 as the country's first operational land-grant university, Kansas State University has a student enrollment of 24,000 and 1,400+ full-time faculty members. It is located in Manhattan (The Little Apple), a culturally vibrant community of 55,000, surrounded by the Flint Hills regions of the state and rates as a Top 10 college town by the American Institute for Economic Research. The Princeton Review placed Kansas State University in the top 10 for several individual categories, including town and gown relationship (#3), best quality of life (#4), and happiest students (#8).

Additionally, Kansas State University is a national leader among public universities in the total number of Rhodes, Marshall, Truman, Goldwater and Udall prestigious scholarship winners.

Worksite Description

This position is On-site.

All employees must reside in the United States when they begin working to comply with state law. K-State is unable to provide remote or hybrid work opportunities for residents of the state of Idaho.

What You'll Need to Succeed

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Ph.D. in Horticulture or related field

The degree requirement is necessary for accreditation purposes and to ensure candidates possess the specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities that can only be attained through a formal educational program at this level.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Teaching experience
  • Demonstrated record of publishing research in peer-reviewed journals
  • Demonstrated record of obtaining extramural funding to support research
  • Demonstrated experience in landscape management or production horticulture

Sponsorship eligibility:

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship.

How to Apply

Please submit the following documents:

1. Letter of application addressing the position description, your qualifications, and experience
2. Detailed curriculum vitae
3. Complete contact information for at least three professional references

Application Window

Applications close on: March 1, 2026

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range

Commensurate with experience and qualifications.

 

 

Why Join Us:

Kansas State University offers a supportive and inclusive community, dedicated to your professional growth. While specific benefits may vary by position, many roles come with comprehensive packages that support your well-being and work-life balance, including health and life insurance, retirement plans, and generous paid time off. To learn more about benefits that are available for various positions, visit our benefits overview page.

Work Authorization: 

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Kansas State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.

Remote and Hybrid work options:

Some positions are eligible for remote or hybrid working arrangements.  An employee who is working in a remote or hybrid capacity for K-State must reside within the United States in order to comply with all federal and state laws, filings, or tax requirements. Remote and hybrid work arrangements are not available for anyone who resides in the state of Idaho.

Relocation to Kansas: 

Kansas participates in the MakeMyMove program, which connects eligible newcomers with participating communities offering financial incentives, housing support, and local perks to help make your move easier and more rewarding. If relocating you can visit the site to apply online for the program incentives. 

Background Screening Statement:

Upon acceptance of a contingent offer of employment, a candidate may be subject to a background check per K-State’s background check policy.

Interview Preferences:

Kansas State University honors interview preferences for qualified applicants who are veterans or individuals with disabilities. Eligible applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, submit all required application materials, and submit required preference documentation by the closing date on the job advertisement will be granted a first-level interview.

The disability and veteran interview preferences do not apply to student employment positions, temporary positions, athletics positions, academic and administrative department heads*, positions that require licensure as a physician, and positions that require that the employee be admitted to practice law in Kansas.

*Heads of Departments refers to any individual holding a primary leadership role responsible for the overall strategic direction, management and operational oversight of a recognized academic or administrative unit within the university.

To learn more about interview preferences at K-State, please visit our interview preferences page.