The Department of Animal Science at Auburn University is seeking candidates and nominations for the position of Department Head. The anticipated start date is June 1, 2024.

Responsibilities: The Department Head provides visionary leadership and overall management of the department. In addition, the Head is the senior faculty administrator and promotes excellence in teaching, research and extension/outreach programs. The position demands strong leadership, vision, strategic planning, decision-making skills, and demonstrated ability to manage departmental programs and personnel. The Head is responsible for recruitment, supervision and evaluation of personnel, development and management of department budgets, extramural funding, professional development of faculty and staff, and oversight of the departmental facilities. The Head is also an advocate and a representative of the department/college interests, needs, and programs to stakeholders and the general public. In addition, the Head will lead/develop initiatives that grow the department’s programs. The Head establishes and maintains working relationships with other departments within the university, commodity groups, governmental and private agencies in addition to students and alumni. The Head will be committed to fostering interdisciplinary programs and an inclusive environment in the department. Effective communication skills are essential in the position. The successful candidate will report to the Dean of the College of Agriculture (http://www.ag.auburn.edu) and maintain a close collaborative working relationship with administrators and staff in the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station (http://www.aaes.auburn.edu/) and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (http://www.aces.edu/main/).

Qualifications: The candidate must have an earned Ph.D. from an accredited institution in animal science or a closely related discipline, D.V.M., or equivalent. The selected candidate must qualify for the rank of Professor with tenure upon hire at Auburn University. The successful candidate must possess excellent interpersonal, communication, organization, and demonstrated leadership skills. In addition, the successful candidate must have demonstrated excellence in teaching, research, and/or extension/outreach activities. Leadership/service activities in professional societies are required. Knowledge of and commitment to the unique mission of the land-grant university are also required. The successful candidate must meet all eligibility requirements to work in the United States at the time appointment is scheduled to begin and continue working legally for the proposed term of employment.

Application Procedures: The search may continue until the position is filled, but to ensure consideration for the position, applicants are encouraged to apply by January 15, 2024.   Applicants must submit the following: 1) a letter of interest stating professional goals and philosophy of leadership, 2) a complete curriculum vita, and 3) names, addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses of five professional references. Applications should be submitted via this link:  https://www.auemployment.com/postings/41471.  Only complete application material will be considered. Please direct questions on the position to search committee chair, Dr. Paul H. Walz, Department Head, Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, email: walzpau@auburn.edu.  

The Department of Animal Sciences (https://agriculture.auburn.edu/research/ansc/) consists of a vibrant group of faculty, staff, and graduate and undergraduate students dedicated to the fundamental missions of a land-grant university: instruction, research, and service/outreach. The Department excels in the instructional mission, offering four undergraduate major options to greater than 450 undergraduate student enrollees and three graduate degree programs. The faculty, as part of the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station (AAES), conducts comprehensive research and extension/outreach programs in areas such as efficient forage-based beef production, livestock animal health, food safety, meat science, livestock reproduction, and nutrition. The AAES conducts a variety of research to support the state’s agricultural industry and economy, and is made up of 14 regional research centers. Key multidisciplinary research programs include studying efficient and sustainable animal production systems, animal health, and the efficient use of animal waste. Seven AAES research centers across the state conduct livestock research. The Department of Animal Sciences also manages signature facilities on campus including the Stanley P. Wilson Beef Teaching Center, the Lambert-Powell Meats Processing Lab, the Beef Evaluation Center, the Swine Research and Education Center, and the Auburn University Equestrian Center.

Auburn University is one of the nation’s premier public land-grant institutions and is ranked in the Top 50 among public university by U.S. News and World Report. Auburn University is organized into 12 academic colleges and maintains high levels of research activity as an R1 institution and high standards for teaching excellence, offering bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in the arts and sciences, agriculture, architecture, business, engineering, nursing, pharmacy and veterinary medicine. The university’s 2022 enrollment consisted of 31,764 students, including 25,379 undergraduates and 5,323 graduate and professional students. Auburn University is nationally recognized for its commitment to academic excellence, positive work environment, exciting student life, and the beauty of its campus. The University is located in the city of Auburn in east-central Alabama. The vibrant Auburn-Opelika community has a population of over 160,000. The Auburn community has an excellent public school system, regularly ranking in the top 200 systems out of 10,000 in the US. There are strong medical health facilities. The Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center brings national and international performances to Auburn. Outdoor recreational opportunities including trails for walking or cycling, Lake Martin with 720 miles of shoreline, and National Forest and State Parks are available. The major metropolitan areas of Atlanta, Birmingham, and Montgomery are no more than a two-hour drive and contain diverse personal interest points and travel venues. Visit www.auburn.edu for more information.

Auburn University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer

About College of Agriculture, Auburn University

Auburn University is one of the nation’s premier public land-grant institutions. In 2019, it was ranked 52nd among public universities by U.S. News and World Report. Auburn maintains high levels of research activity and high standards for teaching excellence, offering Bachelor’s, Master’s, Educational Specialist, and Doctor’s degrees in agriculture and engineering, the professions, and the arts and sciences. Its 2018 enrollment of 30,440 students includes 24,628 undergraduates and 5,812 graduate and professional students. Organized into twelve academic colleges and schools, Auburn’s 1,450 faculty members offer more than 200 educational programs. The University is nationally recognized for its commitment to academic excellence, its positive work environment, its student engagement, and its beautiful campus. Auburn residents enjoy a thriving community, recognized as one of the “best small towns in America,” with moderate climate and easy access to major cities or to beach and mountain recreational facilities. Situated along the rapidly developing I-85 corridor between Atlanta, Georgia, and Montgomery, Alabama, the combined Auburn-Opelika-Columbus statistical area has a population... of over 500,000, with excellent public school systems and regional medical centers. Auburn University is an EEO/Vet/Disability Employer

Show more

Show less

Connections working at College of Agriculture, Auburn University