Assistant Professor - Crop Resilience to Environmental Stress

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 Description

The Stockbridge School of Agriculture at the University of Massachusetts Amherst invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position of Crops Resiliency to Environmental Stresses. This position is a full-time, 9-month appointment with a distribution of responsibilities including 50% research, 30% teaching, and 20% service. The successful candidate will be a full member of the University's faculty and will provide science-based solutions through research and teaching to help farmers adapt to environmental pressures, enhancing Stockbridge's mission to support regional agriculture and horticulture and student success. We are seeking talented applicants qualified for an assistant professor position. Under exceptional circumstances, highly qualified candidates at other ranks may receive consideration.

We seek a highly motivated individual who will establish a nationally and internationally recognized research and teaching program addressing how crops respond and adapt to multiple environmental stresses such as drought, heat, salinity, pathogens, pollutants and nutrient deficiencies. This research is critical in the context of climate change, global food insecurity, and the need for sustainable agriculture. The successful candidate will integrate molecular biology, plant physiology, and modern molecular breeding techniques (e.g., CRISPR-Cas genome editing, gene pyramiding, association mapping, marker-assisted breeding) to understand underlying mechanisms and enhance crop tolerance to environmental stresses with aim to develop crops that are productive and adaptive to climate variability. The position is central to Stockbridge's mission to support regional and global agriculture, improve crop productivity, and promote environmental stewardship through sustainable practices.

Instructional responsibilities will include teaching undergraduate and graduate courses related to plant biotechnology, crop improvements, plant stress biology, and agricultural sciences, or related courses in the candidate's disciplinary area, across the departments within the School of Earth and Sustainability, as well as engaging with local stakeholders. Our faculty benefit from access to state-of-the-art, climate-controlled greenhouses; dedicated field space at the Agronomy Research Farm and at the Agriculture Learning Center; and rich opportunities for collaboration both within the Stockbridge School of Agriculture and across the UMass campus, including with the Institute of Applied Life Sciences. In addition, partnerships with external stakeholders further enhance efforts to develop sustainable solutions that advance crop productivity and resilience.

Qualifications

• A Ph.D. in Crop Sciences, Crop stress Physiology, Plant Biology, Crop Biotechnology/ Molecular Biology, Plant Biochemistry, Horticulture or related fields. Degree requirements must be completed by the appointment start date.
• Demonstrated potential for research excellence in molecular techniques applied to crop stress responses.
• Evidence of scholarly productivity, including publications in reputable journals and presentations at conferences.
• Experience or potential in securing external research funding.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Postdoctoral research experience with demonstrated evidence of strong research productivity.
• Experience with gene editing technologies (e.g., CRISPR-Cas) in crops including fruits and vegetable crops.
• Experience working with crop species under abiotic or biotic stress conditions.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate research with teaching and outreach.
• Teaching experience at the undergraduate and/or graduate level, with evidence of effective instruction and mentorship.

Salary Information

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

Please note:

1. The low-end of the pay range in all faculty searches at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is the minimum salary for the rank included in the collective bargaining agreement between the University and the Massachusetts Society of Professors, UMass Amherst/MTA/NEA.2.
2. The high-end of the pay range reflects an increase above the median of salaries at this rank within the department for faculty who may have multiple years of faculty experience.
3. The specific pay for this position will be determined by the University based on consideration of all relevant factors when and if it decides to extend and offer of employment.

Application Instructions

Along with the application, please submit the following:

1. Cover Letter - outlining qualifications and interest in the position.
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV) - detailing education, professional experience, publications, grants, and awards.
3. Statement of Research Interests and Goals - Outlining research accomplishments, proposed plans, and inclusive practices, including publications, awards, presentations, and future research directions.
4. Statement of teaching and mentoring - Outlining prior experience, philosophy, future teaching interests, and plans to foster student success through inclusive curriculum, pedagogy, and mentoring.
5. Statement of Service - Describe past and future academic, professional, and public service, including committee work, participation in professional/scientific associations, and outreach to broaden participation in the field.
6. Professional References - provide name, postal address, phone, and email contact information for three professional references. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Review of applicants will begin November 15, 2025 and will continue until the ideal candidate is identified. The expected start date of this position is September 1, 2026.

For information for prospective faculty, please visit: https://www.umass.edu/prospective-faculty/

Questions can be directed to the search committee chair, Dr. Om Parkash Dhankher (parkash@umass.edu).

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