The University of Tennessee Department of Animal Science and College of Veterinary Medicine Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences invite applications for two (2) full-time, 9-month, tenure-track positions at the rank of Assistant Professor. One position will have a tenure home in the Department of Animal Science while the other will have a tenure home in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences.

Both positions will have an 85% research appointment (42.5% Animal Science/42.5% Large Animal Clinical Sciences) focused on Precision Animal Health research across a variety of animal species. The Animal Science position will have a 15% teaching appointment in the Herbert College of Agriculture. The Large Animal Clinical Science position will have a 15% teaching appointment in the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Responsibilities and Expectations:

• 9-month, tenure-track position with 85% Research and 15% Teaching responsibilities
• Establish an independent, nationally recognized research program (basic and/or applied) in the areas of Precision  Animal Health, including but not limited to the development of effective target-based early diagnosis and/or intervention strategies against infectious diseases (e.g. alternatives to antibiotics), mitigation of antimicrobial resistance by identifying and validating critical control points in animal production,  etiology of challenging infectious diseases and/or metabolic disease,  or development of innovative sensor technology built upon established animal disease models. The goal of the research program is to develop science-based Precision Animal Health technologies benefiting the Tennessee, US, and global livestock industries
• Form collaborative research partnerships with faculty within and outside the University and across various animal species, especially in association with the new Hickman Precision Agricultural Technology Unit and Precision Livestock Team
• Develop an extramurally-funded Research program (e.g. grants, contracts, donors)
• Create scholarly publications and presentations appropriate to a majority research appointment
• Mentor undergraduate and graduate students (MS and PhD students)
• Develop and teach a course associated with precision technologies and animal health at the undergraduate and/or graduate level
• Participate in other activities of the respective Departments as committee service and recruitment

About the University and Department:

The flagship campus of The University of Tennessee system has an enrollment of more than 31,000 students and is located in Knoxville. The City of Knoxville is a hidden gem with a beautiful and walkable downtown, varied nightlife, active neighborhoods, and eclectic shopping and restaurants. UT is located within easy driving distance to Asheville, Nashville, Atlanta, and the Great Smoky Mountains.

The Department of Animal Science is a diverse and fascinating blend of applied and basic life sciences focused on enhancing the efficiency, profitability, and sustainability of domestic animal industries. The department’s activities are accomplished by its 23 faculty members and 13 technical and administrative staff who are located on the Knoxville campus and at facilities across Tennessee. Approximately 500 undergraduate students are enrolled in the department’s bachelor’s degree programs with academic concentrations in Animal Industries, Biosciences, Veterinary Science, and BS-MS 4+1. In addition, there are approximately 45 graduate students enrolled in the department’s MS and PhD programs. Faculty are also active in four recently developed centers including the UTIA Genomics Center for the Advancement of Agriculture (https://utiagenomics.tennessee.edu/) , Precision Livestock Farming (https://plf.tennessee.edu/), the University of Tennessee One Health Initiative (https://onehealth.tennessee.edu/), and UT Beef and Forage Center (https://utbeef.tennessee.edu/).  

The Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences is a dynamic program focused on the health of livestock and horses. The department’s activities are accomplished by its 22 faculty members, residents, interns, graduate students, and staff, all of whom are located on the Knoxville campus. These faculty include two joint appointments in beef genomics between Animal Science and Large Animal Clinical Sciences. Approximately 400 veterinary students are enrolled in the college’s DVM degree program and approximately 60 graduate students are enrolled in the intercollegiate graduate program. The graduate program includes dual-degree DVM/PhD and DVM/MS options.   

Research, teaching, and Extension programs in the departments serve the areas of animal health and well-being, nutrition, physiological genomics, reproduction, environment, and precision livestock farming technology. In addition, multidisciplinary and multifunctional dual biomedical and agricultural purpose (animal and human health) programs are conducted with an emphasis on infectious disease, obesity, metabolic complications, and regenerative medicine. Extensive field and animal resources are available through UT AgResearch and Education Centers throughout Tennessee and the Veterinary Research and Education Center. UT Extension also leads adult and 4-H youth programs in beef cattle, dairy cattle, goats, horses, poultry, sheep, swine, and environmental management. Opportunities abound to form collaborative and interdisciplinary activities with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, the nearby Oak Ridge National Laboratory, commodity and industrial partners, other university units and regional industries.

Qualifications: Earned PhD and/or DVM degree completed by the start of the appointment in one of the recognized disciplines in Animal, Dairy or Poultry Science or a closely related field where precision animal production was a major focus.  Postdoctoral experience in an appropriate discipline is preferred.  Demonstrated research ability, teaching skills, effective oral and written communication skills, and evidence of strong potential for successful establishment of an extramurally-funded research and teaching program are essential.

To Apply: Review of applications will commence April 30, 2025, and continue until a suitable candidate is identified. Applicants should submit 1) a letter of application, 2) a teaching philosophy, 3) a statement describing translational research interests, 4) copy of transcripts from each academic institution attended, 5) contact information for at least five individuals willing to serve as references, and 6) a detailed curriculum vitae highlighting education, relevant research, teaching and other experiences, and highlighting qualifications through Interfolio.

About University of Tennessee

The University of Tennessee Animal Science Department provides high-quality, relevant education and training for undergraduate and graduate students to serve internationally competitive animal agriculture and develop and transfer new knowledge in the animal commodities that make significant contributions to the economy of Tennessee and the world.

Connections working at University of Tennessee