Position Overview
Stockbridge School of Agriculture, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Full-time, 9-month, tenure-track appointment, Job no: 528605
The UMass Stockbridge School of Agriculture invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Crop Resilience to Environmental Stress. The successful candidate will develop a nationally and internationally recognized research and teaching program focused on how crops respond and adapt to stresses such as drought, heat, salinity, pathogens, pollutants, and nutrient deficiencies.
Responsibilities
Research should integrate molecular biology, plant physiology, and modern molecular breeding tools (e.g., CRISPR-Cas editing, gene pyramiding, association mapping, marker-assisted breeding) to improve crop tolerance and productivity under climate variability. The position advances Stockbridge’s mission to support regional agriculture, sustainable food systems, and environmental stewardship.
Teaching responsibilities include undergraduate and graduate courses in plant biotechnology, crop improvement, or stress physiology, with opportunities for collaboration across UMass Amherst and engagement with regional stakeholders. Faculty have access to state-of-the-art greenhouses, field research farms, and the Agriculture Learning Center, as well as the Institute for Applied Life Sciences.
Qualifications
Qualifications:
• Ph.D. in Crop Sciences, Plant Biology, Biotechnology, Physiology, or related field (by appointment date)
• Demonstrated potential for research excellence in molecular approaches to crop stress responses
• Evidence of scholarly productivity and potential to secure external funding
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Preferred Level of Education
Ph.D.
Benefits Offered
Questions can be directed to the search committee chair, Dr. Om Parkash Dhankher (parkash@umass.edu).
How to Apply
Along with the application, please submit the following:
-Cover Letter - outlining qualifications and interest in the position.
-Curriculum Vitae (CV) - detailing education, professional experience, publications, grants, and awards.
-Statement of Research Interests and Goals - Outlining research accomplishments, proposed plans, and inclusive practices, including publications, awards, presentations, and future research directions.
-Statement of teaching and mentoring - Outlining prior experience, philosophy, future teaching interests, and plans to foster student success through inclusive curriculum, pedagogy, and mentoring.
-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.
-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.
About University of Massachusetts - Stockbridge School of Agriculture
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.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of Massachusetts Amherst welcomes all qualified applicants and complies with all state and federal anti-discrimination laws.
