Assistant Professor

Position Function

The Department of Agricultural Science and Plant Protection (AGSPP) at Mississippi State University seeks to fill a tenure-track, 9-month Assistant Professor position in Medical/Veterinary/Public Health Entomology based on the main campus in Starkville. The position will consist of approximately 60% research and 40% teaching. The successful candidate will develop an externally funded research program focused on arthropods and arthropod-borne pathogens of medical, veterinary, wildlife, or public-health importance and will contribute to undergraduate and graduate instruction in Entomology. The program should advance a One Health perspective by connecting arthropod biology, vector ecology, host-vector-pathogen interactions, surveillance, disease risk, and management across human, animal, wildlife, and environmental systems.

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 (AGSPP) has academic, research, and Extension education missions within the land-grant tradition. The department includes expertise in entomology, plant pathology, weed science, and interdisciplinary agricultural science, with faculty located on the Starkville campus and at research and Extension centers throughout Mississippi. AGSPP supports the B.S. in Agricultural Science and graduate education in Entomology and Plant Pathology and is integrating Weed Science coursework and graduate pathways into the department. Faculty programs address fundamental and applied problems in plant protection, agricultural production, environmental stewardship, human and animal health, and stakeholder education.

Area of Specialization

Medical and Veterinary Entomology

Anticipated Appointment Date

August 16, 2027.

Tenure Track Status

Yes.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The successful candidate will establish a nationally recognized, extramurally funded research program in Medical/Veterinary/Public Health Entomology. Research may include, but is not limited to, the ecology, biology, surveillance, epidemiology, or management of mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, ectoparasites, invasive vectors, and other arthropods affecting human or animal health; vector-pathogen-host interactions; arthropod-borne pathogen ecology; emerging or re-emerging vector threats; quantitative risk assessment or spatial epidemiology; integrated vector management; and related One Health questions. The incumbent will pursue competitive federal and other extramural funding, publish in peer-reviewed outlets, mentor graduate and undergraduate students, and build collaborations with AGSPP colleagues and complementary programs such as the College of Veterinary Medicine, Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture, biological sciences, public-health and vector-control agencies, Extension, and other state or federal partners. Teaching responsibilities are expected to include Medical and Veterinary Entomology (EPP/ASPP 4173/6173) and contribution to a foundational course such as Introduction to Insects or General Entomology; the final teaching rotation will be established before advertisement. The faculty member will advise graduate students, serve on graduate committees, contribute to departmental and professional service, and participate actively in interdisciplinary One Health teams.

Minimum Qualifications

A Ph.D. in Entomology or a closely related biological, veterinary, public-health, wildlife, or vector-biology field is required by the date of appointment. Candidates must demonstrate substantial training or research experience in medically or veterinarily important arthropods, vector biology, vector-borne disease, ectoparasites, or a closely related area. Evidence of scholarly productivity, strong experimental and quantitative skills, excellent written and oral communication, and the ability to work effectively in interdisciplinary teams are required.

ABDs or degree pending considered (all but DISS)

Yes.

Preferred Qualifications

Postdoctoral or equivalent research experience; demonstrated potential or success in obtaining competitive extramural funding; experience with field surveillance or experimental research on vectors or ectoparasites; expertise in one or more complementary approaches such as disease ecology, epidemiology, spatial analysis, molecular diagnostics, pathogen detection, quantitative ecology, vector management, or One Health research; and experience teaching, mentoring students, or collaborating across veterinary, wildlife, public-health, or Extension programs are desirable.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Ability to design and conduct rigorous field, laboratory, and/or quantitative research; develop competitive grant proposals; manage research projects and personnel; teach and mentor undergraduate and graduate students; communicate with scientific, veterinary, public-health, wildlife, agency, and stakeholder audiences; and build productive interdisciplinary collaborations. The successful candidate should be able to connect arthropod biology with questions of human and animal health while maintaining an active, externally supported research program.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Research and teaching may require outdoor fieldwork in Mississippi heat and humidity, walking over uneven terrain, collecting arthropods during daytime or nighttime hours, traveling to sampling sites, and handling arthropod specimens. Depending on the research program, duties may involve work with arthropod-borne pathogens, vertebrate animals, or regulated biological materials under required institutional biosafety, animal-care, occupational-health, and other safety approval processes.

Instructions for Applying

Link to apply: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/

Applications must be submitted through the Human Resources Management website at

https://www.jobs.msstate.edu by completing the professional application and submitting a cover letter, current curriculum vitae, a statement of teaching philosophy and research interests, copies of up to three relevant publications, contact information for three references, and a current transcript. Any social numbers included on requested transcripts should be redacted prior to submitting online. An official transcript will be required if selected for an interview. For additional questions, please contact Swayze Hollenhead at sh1270@msstate.edu.

Screening Date

December 1, 2026, until filled.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.

What do I do if I need an accommodation?

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.

If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.