Assistant Professor - Medical and Veterinary Entomology

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:

November 5, 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
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