Two Assistant Professors in Landscape Architecture, Tenure Track Positions

Position Description:

The Department of Landscape Architecture & Environmental Design at Mississippi State University invites applications for two tenure-track Assistant Professor positions. We seek dynamic and innovative individuals with a strong commitment to teaching, research, outreach, and service. The ideal candidates will have expertise in one or more of the following areas: Landscape Systems & Plant Communities, Exterior Design/Build, Ecological Planting Design, Nature-Based Solutions, Landscape Performance Metrics, Landscape Management, Hydrology, Case Studies, and Site Scale Design.

Responsibilities:

•    Develop and teach undergraduate and graduate courses in the above listed areas of expertise, about 14 credits per academic year;

•    Advise and mentor students, providing guidance for academic and career development;

•    Engage in scholarly research and creative activities, advancing the body of knowledge in landscape architecture and/or landscape construction & management;

•    Continue and augment the Smart Landscapes outreach program, a Mississippi State University Extension initiative targeting homeowners to promote low maintenance, aesthetically pleasing homes and neighborhoods that encourage wildlife, use water wisely, lower our energy costs, and support people within Mississippi and beyond;

•    Participate in service activities at the departmental, college, university, and professional levels;

•    Collaborate with faculty and industry partners to advance the mission of the department and the university;

•    Contribute to curriculum development and program enhancement initiatives

Required Qualifications:

•    A terminal degree (Master’s or Ph.D.) in Landscape Architecture or a closely related field by the time of appointment;

•    A strong record of (or evidence of strong potential for) scholarly or creative work, and dissemination of work, with potential for securing external funding;

•    Ability to work effectively with diverse populations and contribute to an inclusive academic community; and 

•    Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Preferred Qualifications

•    Demonstrated commitment to evidence-based teaching practices and effective pedagogical approaches. Ideal candidates will demonstrate a strong commitment to these practices and show potential for excellence in teaching;

•    Professional experience in landscape architecture practice is highly desirable, as is licensure;

•    Experience engaging communities and working with project stakeholders;

Appointment and Application Requirements: 

9-month, tenure-track

90% College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS)

10% Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station (MAFES)

Salary will be commensurate with qualifications. MSU offers a competitive benefits package. Applicants must apply online at www.msujobs.msstate.edu by submitting:

(1) a cover letter outlining their experience and vision for teaching and research; (2) a curriculum vitae; (3) a professional and/or teaching portfolio; and (4) the names and contact information of three professional references. Applicants must also include a copy of their unofficial transcripts. For questions regarding the position contact Chuo Li, Department of Landscape Architecture, at cl1004@msstate.edu

Link to Online Application: 

https://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/en-us/job/508107/assistant-professor DEADLINE: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Submissions will be reviewed starting on January 6th, 2025, with invitations for interviews soon after. The start date for the position is August 2025.

The Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Design:

The Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Design is a comprehensive department with an academic, research, and service mission and is one of nine academic departments in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS). Housed on a three-building mini-campus centered around a landscaped courtyard garden, the department offers the accredited Bachelor of Landscape Architecture, the Bachelor of Science in Landscape Contracting, and the Master of Landscape Architecture degrees.  There are currently 15 faculty members, 130 undergraduate and graduate students, and 2 support staff members in the Department.  Research strengths cover a broad range of specialties with an interdisciplinary emphasis that includes a unique focus on the design/build process and an environmental systems approach to design. We are deeply committed to translating scientific and artistic principles into tangible, impactful design solutions. The department’s faculty expertise includes landscape architecture theory and design, sustainable community design and planning, and landscape management and construction, and the department proudly boasts several national student ASLA awards across a range of categories.  There is a close relationship between the LA Department and MSU’s Crosby Arboretum, a 64-acre public garden in coastal Mississippi that is nationally recognized for its focus on ecological planting design.   

The Department collaborates with other departments within CALS, the College of Architecture, Art, and Design, and other allied professions at MSU and in the community.  The College of Agriculture and Life Science has an enrollment of over 2000 undergraduate and nearly 450 graduate students and is one of eight colleges in the University.  MSU, a Carnegie Foundation R1-Very High Research Activity Doctoral University, is a comprehensive public institution with more than 23,000 undergraduate and graduate students and nearly 1,500 full-time faculty members. 

Mississippi State University is consistently recognized as an exceptional place to work from various outlets.  Most recently, Forbes recognized Mississippi State on the 2024 Top 50 list of “America’s Best Large Employers”.   Mississippi State University was one of only 3 Universities recognized in the top 50 and the only Southeastern Conference school to make the list.

The Starkville Area:

The university is located in Starkville, Mississippi, a historic city with a population of about 25,000, roughly 2 hours from Memphis, Birmingham, and Jackson and roughly 4 hours from New Orleans, Atlanta, and Nashville. People of a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and beliefs have found community in Starkville.  It is a vibrant college town with a relatively low cost of living that was recently named: “The Best Small Town in the South.” The university’s sporting events are a regional draw. There are also signature weekend events highlighting arts and culture. The city hosts a weekly farmer’s market from May through November and has a diverse restaurant scene—with more restaurants per capita than any other community in the state. Its location opens doors to outdoor adventures and recreational life in natural settings like the Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge. It has strong public schools and a variety of child and youth-oriented activities for families with children. For more information, see the Starkville Chamber of Commerce website.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: 

MSU is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, gender identity, status as a U.S. veteran, and/or any other status protected by applicable law. We always welcome nominations and applications from women, members of any minority group, and others who share our passion for building a diverse community that reflects the diversity in our student population.

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.