Job Description:

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:

  The Department of Animal Science in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, seeks applicants for a 9-month tenure-track Assistant Professor with an emphasis on improving efficiency of the beef cattle system. Position responsibilities are approximately 65% effort in research, 30% in teaching, and 5% in institutional service. The successful candidate will develop an independent, and externally funded research program that utilizes expertise in feedlot nutrition, growth physiology, or forage and grazing management.  This position will be expected to contribute to the department’s ongoing emphasis on sustainability and/or precision livestock farming/management. The department seeks a strong collaborator in beef science for this role who will lead or participate in integrated research efforts with collaborators within the animal science department as well as in other departments and institutions. The successful candidate will also conduct impactful applied and basic research, while developing and training graduate students employable in the beef industry. It is expected that the candidate will also be a contributing member of the Iowa Beef Center at Iowa State University through outreach efforts disseminating knowledge generated from their program. The candidate will be expected to contribute to the department's teaching and advising missions, including teaching courses at the undergraduate and graduate level.

Department/Program & College Description:

The Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University is a recognized leader in its field, both nationally and internationally, with balanced emphasis on research, teaching, and extension. The department is home to more than 1000 undergraduate students and 80 graduate students. The Department has a strong history of developing undergraduate students through research opportunities. The Department enjoys strong support and interactions with the livestock sector and allied industries at the state and national level. Its collegial environment, embedded in a strong livestock industry, makes the Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University an excellent base for faculty interested in pursuing a rewarding and impactful career in animal science.

There are more than 28,000 cattle operations in Iowa, including more than 19,000 farms with beef cows and more than 6,000 feedlots. Iowa also possesses nearly 1/3 of all beef cattle feedlots in the country greater than 500 head. The Iowa beef industry is nationally leading in terms of animal numbers and producers. Iowa is unique from other leading beef cattle production states, in that the diversity of forages and grains enables a unique production system requiring novel approaches to maximize efficiency, reduce environmental footprints, and effectively manage the carbon cycles. Further, the Iowa beef industry represents the largest demographic of independent producers in the state that relies on ISU’s capacity within the area of enhanced production efficiency. This position will be a strong avenue of research dissemination through the Iowa Beef Center in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Infrastructure: The department of Animal Science and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences are home to two cow-calf herds (one used for beef teaching and the other at the McNay research farm) and research feedlots both on campus and at outlying research farms that will enable this individual to work across the department, college and university to forge collaborations with numerous partners.

Department Unit/Website:

Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University

www.ans.iastate.edu

Proposed Start Date:

August 16, 2024

Number of Months Employed Per Year:

09 Month Work Period

Time Type:

Full time

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:

1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae
2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter (Please address both required and preferred qualifications)
3) Contact Information for Three to Five References

4) Statement detailing your research interests and vision, specifically related to the Iowa Beef industry

5) Teaching philosophy statement

For guaranteed consideration, applications must be received on November 26, 2023. However, the position will remain open until filled.

Application materials must clearly articulate the candidate’s suitability in relation to the below required and preferred qualifications and experiences.

For more information, contact Dr. Jason Ross, Department Chair, at jwross@iastate.edu or 515-294-2161 or Dr. Stephanie Hansen, Search Committee Chair, at slhansen@iastate.edu. If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.

Why Choose ISU?
Iowa State University is committed to fostering a workplace of belonging, where diversity is celebrated and equity is a core value. Our Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:
• Retirement benefits, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans;
• Generous leave plans;
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa);
• Life insurance and long-term disability;
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts;
• Employee Assistance Program;
• Wellbeing program.

Required Minimum Qualifications:

 A Ph.D. in animal science or equivalent degree with an emphasis in beef cattle science, or closely related field.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Evidence of effective teaching and communication skills,

2. Evidence of applied and/or fundamental research approaches to beef cattle science,

3. Evidence of a scholarly publication record,

4. Evidence of capacity to work with beef industry stakeholders,

5. Evidence of ability to work in a team-based, collaborative environment to solve problems,

6. Evidence of ability to secure extramural funding,

7. Evidence of implementing innovative strategies that enhance the environmental sustainability of beef production systems through reduced feed costs, optimized growth, or effective nutrient management,

8. Evidence of experience with beef cattle production systems in Iowa and the U.S.

About Iowa State University Department of Animal Science

The Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University is a recognized leader in its field, both nationally and internationally, with balanced emphasis on research, teaching, and extension. The Department enjoys strong support and interactions with the livestock industries in the State. Its collegial environment, embedded in a strong livestock industry, makes the Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University an excellent base for faculty interested in pursuing a rewarding and impactful career in the animal sciences.

Connections working at Iowa State University Department of Animal Science