Assistant Professor Plant Microbe Interactions

Job description

Posting Detail Information


Working TitleAssistant Professor Plant-Microbe Interactions

Position LocationFort Collins, CO

Work LocationPosition is fully in-office/in-person

Posting Number202500254F

Proposed Annual Salary Range$83,000 - $93,000

Employee Benefits
Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service.

With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

+ Review our detailed benefits information here.

(https://hr.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/2021/01/benefits-summary-afap.pdf)

+ Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.

+ For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator (https://hr.colostate.edu/total-compensation-calculator/) .

+ Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in (https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-community/) !


Position TypeFaculty

Work Hours/Week40

Description of Work Unit
The Department of Biology at Colorado State University ( CSU ) is one of eight departments in the College of Natural Sciences.

The Department has a strong commitment to undergraduate and graduate teaching, as well as an international reputation for excellence in research across a broad range of disciplines, including cell and molecular biology, physiology of plants or animals, animal behavior, ecology, evolutionary biology and computational/theoretical biology.

The Department of Biology is housed in a state-of-the-art life sciences research facility that opened in 2017.

As a land grant University and as nationally recognized innovators, we are committed to the foundational principles “to advance teaching, research, and service for the benefit of Colorado, the nation, and the world.” We recognize that our institutional success depends on how well we welcome, value, and affirm all members of the Colorado State community and how we represent a variety of perspectives in our teaching, research, and service throughout all disciplines.

Colorado State University is a land-grant Carnegie Class Doctoral/Research-Extensive University.

In the last decade, CSU has produced record enrollment, built on all-time highs in student success; record fundraising far outpacing ambitious goals; groundbreaking research driven by a highly productive faculty; a campus revitalized by a transformational building campaign; and, perhaps most important, an unrivaled learning environment where nine of 10 recent graduates say they would choose CSU again and rate their education as excellent.

CSU is located in Fort Collins, Colorado, and is situated on nearly 5,000 acres of land, including the main campus, a foothills campus, the Agricultural Research Development & Education Center ( ARDEC ), and a mountain campus.

Read more about the university at the CSU Undergraduate Admissions Page athttp://admissions.colostate.edu.

Fort Collins is located next to the foothills of the Rocky Mountains about 65 miles north of Denver, nestled along the Cache La Poudre River, the first river in Colorado to be designated a National “Wild and Scenic River.” Fort Collins has a population of over 165,000 and is ranked among the most educated and healthiest cities in the nation.

This ranking reflects the highly educated workforce, drawn to Fort Collins by the strong academic environment and the clean and sustainable industries that thrive in the community.

The city of Fort Collins is consistently ranked as one of the “Best Places to Live in America,” with nearly 50 similar designations from numerous magazines and polls since 2005 (see:http://www.fcgov.com/visitor/fcfacts.php).

A 2010 Gallup Poll ranked Fort Collins as the third best city in the nation for overall well-being.

The city of Fort Collins boasts an outstanding public school system and a multitude of activities, including a center for performing arts, a symphony orchestra, repertory theaters, choral society, and a dance company.

The historic Old Town district of Fort Collins hosts live music and thriving local dining scene throughout the year.

The city maintains several indoor pools, indoor soccer fields, ice arenas, over 600 acres of parks, 30,000 acres of natural areas, and over 20 miles of pedestrian, biking, and hiking trails.

Tenure/Tenure Track?Yes

% Research45

% Teaching45

% Service10

% Administration0

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on10/12/2025

Number of Vacancies

Desired Start Date08/16/2026

Position End Date

Position Summary
We seek a creative, collaborative, and visionary plant biologist to establish an internationally recognized research program at the forefront of plant-microbe interactions aimed at understanding how these interactions contribute to plant function.

We are broadly interested in applicants who integrate cutting-edge cellular, molecular, genetic, genomic, physiological, ecological, synthetic, system biology, and AI approaches to advance our understanding of interactions between plants and their associated microbial communities.

The successful candidate will establish and sustain an innovative, extramurally funded research program focused on fundamental questions in plant-microbe interactions, particularly the role of the microbes in plant function.

They will disseminate research findings through publication in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at national and international conferences.

The faculty member will contribute to the department’s core teaching mission at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

They will also have the opportunity to develop a new, advanced graduate-level course in their specific area of expertise.

The successful candidate will be expected to make impactful service contributions to the university, their academic community, and broader outreach efforts.

Conditions of EmploymentPre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)

Required Job Qualifications

+ Ph.D. in biology, or a related field.

+ Evidence of a successful research program in plant-microbe interactions as demonstrated by peer-reviewed publications.


Preferred Job Qualifications

+ Evidence of research experience, productivity, and impact through graduate and postdoctoral work

+ Documented ability to fund research programs

+ Experience in teaching and mentoring

+ Engagement in service and outreach activities


Special Instructions to Applicants
To apply, submit a cover letter which addresses the requirements of the position, a current *curriculum vitae, a 3-page research statement, a 2-page statement of teaching philosophy, and three representative publications.

In addition, provide the names and contact information of three professional references who will be requested to submit letters of recommendation immediately upon the submission of the application.

Reference letters should be submitted byOctober 19, 2025,to ensure full consideration.

No mail-in applications or letters will be accepted.

CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals.

If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.

Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Application materials of finalists, including letters of reference, will be made available for review by the entire faculty of the Department of Biology.


The Biology Department will assist in the VISA sponsorship for a successful candidate.

CSU is an EO employer and conducts background checks on all final candidates.

Background Check Policy Statement
Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students.

To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer.

The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification.

Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

EEO
Colorado State University ( CSU ) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Search ContactProfessor Anireddy Reddy Anireddy.Reddy@colostate.edu


Essential Duties


Job Duty CategoryManage research program in the field of plant-microbe interactions

Duty/Responsibility

+ Perform research, write grant proposals, supervise research students and other lab personnel, write papers.


Percentage Of Time45


Job Duty CategoryTeaching and mentoring

Duty/Responsibility

+ Teach courses at graduate and undergraduate levels, mentor undergraduate and graduate research students.


Percentage Of Time45


Job Duty CategoryService

Duty/Responsibility

+ Perform committee service at the department, college, and/or university levels

+ Perform academic service to the scientific community such as reviewing manuscripts and grant proposals and organizing and presenting at conference symposia

+ Engage in outreach and engagement activities.


Percentage Of Time10



References Requested

References Requested


Minimum Requested3

Maximum Requested3


Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).




Applicant Documents
Required Documents

+ Cover Letter

+ Curriculum Vitae

+ Statement of Teaching Philosophy

+ Statement of Research Philosophy

+ Publication 1

+ Publication 2

+ Publication 3

Optional Documents

Required Skill Profession

Other General