About the role
Position Function
The Plant Stress Physiology Lab seeks a self-motivated postdoctoral associate to work in a multidisciplinary team with the ability to balance quality and productivity. The successful candidate will work closely with a diverse research team and use advanced phenotyping and statistical methods to improve plant health and yield potential under combined abiotic and biotic stress. This role involves leading the integration of soil and plant physiology to identify resilient traits that improve cereal crop performance. Responsibilities include designing and conducting experiments in growth chambers, greenhouses, and field facilities. This position requires strong expertise in stress physiology, phenotyping, and advanced statistical tools to handle large-dataset analysis.
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
Mississippi State is Mississippi's senior comprehensive land-grant institution and has the largest on-campus enrollment (>22,000) of the eight state institutions of higher learning. All components of the university have a strong commitment to teaching, research, and service. The Department of Plant and Soil Sciences has 33 on- and 14 off-campus faculty members engaged in teaching, research, and extension and/or service programs, most of whom carry joint appointments. The programs are supported by state-of-the-art, newly renovated laboratories, equipment, and trained support and professional staff. The department offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Plant and Soil Sciences with Master's and Doctoral graduate students concentrating in Agronomy and, Horticulture.
Anticipated Appointment Date
December 2026.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Design and conduct experiments under growth chamber, greenhouse, and filed conditions.
Develop and validate plant-based proxies to differentiate biotic and abiotic stress responses.
Analyze and interpret experimental data and troubleshoot research challenges to ensure effective project execution.
Prepare scientific presentations, manuscripts, and technical reports.
Contribute to research proposals, grant applications, and reports for federal agencies and commodity boards.
Manage laboratory resources, including purchasing supplies, maintaining inventory, coordinating equipment use, and ensuring materials are available for research activities.
Collaborate with the PI, graduate students, student employees, and other research team members, providing mentoring as appropriate.
Participate in professional development activities and perform other research-related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Ph.D. in plant science, agronomy, plant breeding, or a closely related agricultural field. Knowledge of stress physiology and remote sending is highly desirable. Experience conducting field, greenhouse, and growth chamber research is required. A strong background in field crop research and familiarity with breeding and genetics are preferred.
Excellent written and oral communication skills. Proven publication record, with at least four papers on row crops published within the past two years. Experience with large-scale data processing and interpretation is important.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Strong background in grain crop agronomy, trait discovery, and advanced statistical methods for analyzing large datasets.
Ability to work in hot and humid summer conditions and lift and move up to 50 pounds.
Proven publication record and experience supervising or overseeing research activities.
Demonstrated leadership and interpersonal skills necessary for working effectively with diverse team members.
Ability to balance work quality and productivity.
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
Exposure to educational and agricultural conditions. Lifting, sitting, standing, squatting, etc. will be required. Exposure to chemicals, dust, heat, and cold. Additional exposures may be encountered in a lab setting.
Instructions for Applying
Link to apply: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/
Link to apply: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/
All applicants must apply online at www.jobs.msstate.edu and attach a cover letter, resume and submit official transcripts (as applicable). Please remove any social security numbers included on requested transcripts prior to online submission
Screening Date
October 23, 2026, until filled.
Restricted Clause
Position is contingent upon continued availability of funding.
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.