Assistant Professor - Plant Bacteriology

About This Role:

The Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Kansas State University is recruiting an Assistant Professor with expertise in plant bacteriology. The faculty position is a 12-month, tenure-track appointment with an approximately 90% research and 10% teaching distribution of effort.

Location: Department of Plant Pathology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506

Availability: June 15, 2025

Job Summary:

The successful applicant is expected to develop a strong, extramurally funded research program in plant bacteriology. A wide range of research foci are appropriate for this position including (but not limited to): molecular plant-microbe interactions, pathogen biology, microbiomes, symbioses, diagnostics, bacterial disease management, biological control, food safety, emerging diseases, and plant biosecurity. Most importantly, the research should be based on good research questions, open intellectual philosophy, and rigorous experimentalism. The successful candidate will join a dynamic and highly collaborative community of basic and applied plant pathologists and will have the opportunity to work with plant breeders, agricultural scientists, disease diagnosticians, and extension colleagues to achieve a well-rounded research mission. The successful candidate will teach a graduate course in plant bacteriology with a significant lab portion once every two years in addition to contributions to other existing courses and/or the development of an additional course in their area of expertise. The candidate is also expected to contribute to undergraduate mentoring. The successful candidate is expected to actively participate in the plant pathology graduate program to support graduate education, mentoring, and research. The candidate must be able to work with diverse teams of students, staff, and faculty, and support an open, engaged, and vibrant department.

About Us:

The Department of Plant Pathology at Kansas State University comprises a large and diverse group of scientists, with an excellent reputation in research, teaching, and extension. Our strengths are in applied plant pathology, microbiology, biosecurity, disease diagnosis, management, host-parasite resistance genetics, pathogen and microbe genetics, genomics, and biotechnology. The department has outstanding facilities to support research from field work to genomics and is complemented by additional on-campus capabilities. More information can be found at https://www.plantpath.k-state.edu.

Worksite Option:

This position is on-site. Work is performed on employer premises or designated assignment location.

What You'll Need to Succeed:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Applicant must possess a Ph.D. degree in Plant Pathology or a related discipline and have strong experience in plant bacteriology.
• Demonstrated research excellence with the desire to mentor undergraduate students, graduate students, and post-doctoral researchers.
• Strong communication skills with a desire to teach.
• A commitment to expand and foster diversity.
• Demonstrated organizational and interpersonal skills that would facilitate work with diverse, multi-disciplinary teams.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 1-2 years of post-doctoral experience in an area related to plant pathology or plant bacteriology.
• Ability to acquire extramural funding to build and maintain an active research program.

How to Apply:

Please submit the following documents:

1. Cover Letter describing your interest and qualifications for the position.
2. Research Statement describing your research accomplishments and future plans (3-page max).
3. Teaching Statement describing your teaching experience and future plans (2-page max).
4. Curriculum vitae
5. Contact information to include name, email, and phone number of three professional references.

Questions pertaining to this position can be directed to:

Dr. Christopher R. Little, Professor of Plant Pathology, Search Committee Chair

Contact via email: crlittle@ksu.edu

Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Kansas State University

1712 Claflin Rd, 4024 Throckmorton Hall, Manhattan, Kansas 66506.

Screening of Applications Begins:

Screening of applications will begin on Feb 07, 2025 and will continue until a suitable candidate is found. 

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range

Salary is commensurate with experience and consistent with the position sought.