Assistant Professor

Position Function:

This position is a 100% Extension appointment (tenure track) with Mississippi State University located on the Main Campus in Starkville, MS. The primary function of this position will be to develop, coordinate and implement applied research and Extension programs aimed at managing insect pests of ornamental plants, turfgrass, and forage grasses in Mississippi. The incumbent will work as part of a multidisciplinary team involved in applied research and Extension. In particular, the incumbent will conduct applied research on established and experimental technologies (insecticides, biological processes, etc.), practices that improve integrated pest management (IPM), and develop novel approaches to manage primary and secondary insect pests of ornamental plants, turfgrass, and forage grasses found in Mississippi and the mid-south. The incumbent will incorporate these and other research findings into the development of a statewide Extension program that meets the needs of commercial growers, homeowners, and other stakeholders utilizing appropriate technologies and delivery methods.
The incumbent will develop and maintain close working relationships with growers and other stakeholders, including commodity groups, governmental and non-governmental agencies, plant protection industries, MSU Extension specialists, Extension agents, Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station (MAFES) researchers and others, to ensure that their entomology research and Extension program is focused on the most pressing needs of stakeholders.

Salary Grade:  UC

Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges.  For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Department Profile:

The Department of Agricultural Science and Plant Protection has academic, research, and extension education missions within the traditions of land-grant universities. The Department has 26 faculty in the entomology and plant pathology disciplines. The Department offers B.S, M.S., and Ph.D. degrees and currently advises approximately 100 undergraduate and 30 graduate students.

Area of Specialization:

Ornamental and Turfgrass Entomology

Anticipated Appointment Date:

January 1, 2026.   

Tenure Track Status:

Yes. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The incumbent will conduct applied entomology research and develop an Extension program related to insect pest management in ornamental crops, turfgrass and forages in Mississippi. In developing the Extension and applied research program, the incumbent will work with producers, homeowners, agribusinesses and other stakeholders as appropriate to identify techniques to effectively and efficiently manage insect pests while protecting plants, the environment, and profitability. As a result, the incumbent should have a demonstrated ability to effectively communicate research findings and troubleshoot problems with farmers, homeowners, and Extension personnel. The Extension program should include competency/in-service training for Extension agents; development and publication of appropriate Extension materials such as publications and instructional videos or other appropriate digital and social media; technical assistance for Extension agents, farmers, homeowners, and other stakeholders; and other appropriate Extension delivery methods. Furthermore, the incumbent will demonstrate and present information and updates through effective program delivery by planning and participating in local, state, regional, and national professional and stakeholder meetings.
The incumbent will collaborate with colleagues in grant and contract proposals seeking funding to support applied research and Extension efforts.
Research is expected to include evaluating damage thresholds, evaluating new and existing insecticides, studying host plant resistance, and developing other IPM-related strategies. The incumbent will cooperate with other scientific disciplines represented at Mississippi State University and USDA-ARS, as well as other groups when appropriate to develop and improve IPM programs in ornamental crops and turf, and forages.
Publishing findings in appropriate professional journals is expected. The incumbent will