Position Summary

The Department of Horticulture at Michigan State University invites applications for a full-time, 12-month tenure track Assistant Professor to serve as curator of the MSU Horticulture Gardens, with a 70% Extension/outreach and 30% research assignment.  The position start date is anticipated to be January 1, 2024, but will remain open until filled.

The successful candidate will oversee outreach and educational programming in, and coordinate future directions for, the garden activities and events associated with the Department of Horticulture.  A major component (50%) of this position will be developing and delivering the educational programming for the 4-H Children's Garden.  Additional responsibilities are the curatorial aspects of the Horticulture Gardens including the Annual Trial Gardens, the Judith DeLapa Perennial Display Gardens, the Rose Gardens, and the C.E. Lewis Landscape Arboretum.  Our Horticulture Gardens have a long history of community and disciplinary engagement and outreach, and are managed by a professional staff of six horticulturists, in addition to an experienced cohort of volunteers, who are responsible for the day-to-day operations, events and maintenance of the Gardens.

The successful candidate will develop a nationally/internationally recognized program of peer-reviewed research and outreach scholarship, intramurally (4-H Foundation) and extramurally-funded through collaborative and/or independent efforts.  Areas of focus include, but are not limited to: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) learning through plants; public engagement in science, gardens and nature programming; field trip design and pedagogy; expanding/enhancing access to science education for underrepresented groups; educational technology integration with hands-on learning; gardens as tools for health, wellness, and ecosystem services; plant adaption to climate change; environmental education; etc.

This position is part of the MSU Extension Children and Youth Institute (CYI), as well as being tenured in the Department of Horticulture. As such, the incumbent is expected to develop scholarly collaborations among the MSU Landscape/Nursery/Floriculture faculty and statewide MSU Extension Educator teams to disseminate information to science educators, community groups, 4-H audiences and national organizations.

Responsibilities Include:

Identify, design, implement, and evaluate research-based educational and outreach programs for the Horticulture Gardens that meet current and projected needs related to gardens and gardening, utilizing the Michigan 4-H Children's Garden as a model.

Provide leadership and vision for the MSU Horticulture Gardens and the 4-H Children's Garden including planning, oversight and allocation of the endowment and revenue budgets.

Explore and implement programs that lead to changes in public knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors through collaboration in research, engagement with community members, and dissemination of research-based information through various methods, including in-person and multimedia programming and written communications.

Develop, produce, and deliver research-based educational materials and peer reviewed outreach and research articles with messaging and content that is accessible and inclusive to diverse audiences and is consistent with MSU Horticulture Gardens and 4-H Children's Garden mission.

Generate extramural funding to further support and expand the outreach/extension activities and programming in the Gardens, from federal and state agencies (e.g., NSF, USDA, NEEF, Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education, etc.).

Maintain and grow connections in conjunction with the Michigan 4-H Foundation, and CANR and MSU Development Offices t