Department of Animal Science

Assistant Professor, Animal Genetics and Breeding

9-month, tenure-track

College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences

College Overview

The College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) is composed of 13 academic departments, 10 research and outreach centers across Minnesota, plus the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, the Bell Museum, and dozens of interdisciplinary centers that span the college, the university, and the globe.

CFANS offers thirteen undergraduate majors and thirteen graduate majors, three pre-major/pre-professional programs and 23 minors for undergraduate students. Undergraduate enrollment in the college is about 2000 students. CFANS students are well-prepared for a diverse, multicultural workforce through the college’s emphasis on experiential, interdisciplinary, and intercultural learning; internships and global perspectives.

At CFANS, we aim to inspire minds, nourish people, and enhance the natural environment, and we believe that is only possible if everyone feels seen, heard and respected. Our college embraces inclusivity and prioritizes purpose-driven scientific discovery in order for us to build a better tomorrow, together. We align with the University of Minnesota in providing equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

Department Overview

The Department of Animal Science (http://www.ansci.umn.edu) in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resources Sciences (CFANS) (http://www.cfans.umn.edu/) is located on UMN’s scenic St. Paul campus. The Animal Science major, with an enrollment of about 400 students, is divided into five areas of emphasis: Business/Industry, Companion Animal, Equine, Production, and Pre-Veterinary Medicine/Science. Each emphasis offers a unique combination of classes to prepare students for future careers in business, production management, companion animal, equine, veterinary medicine or graduate school. Within an emphasis area, students can also specialize in a species, such as beef, companion animal, dairy, equine, poultry, swine or sheep, or develop a set of elective classes unique to their animal interests.  Undergraduate Students associated with the Animal Sciences major have access to student organizations such as the Gopher Dairy Club, Block and Bridle, Pre-veterinary Science Club and Minnesota Royal, as well as opportunities to participate on highly successful Dairy Cattle and General Livestock Judging, Dairy Challenge and Animal Welfare Assessment Teams.

The successful candidate’s research program is expected to achieve national and international recognition, support graduate student research, result in publications in relevant refereed journals and attract extramural funding. Facilities available to support research include the 90-cow Holstein dairy herd on the St. Paul Campus, 400-head heifer development facilities at the Southern Research and Outreach Center (Waseca, MN), and 250 cow pasture-based conventional and organic herd featuring pure and crossbred dairy cattle at West Central Research and Outreach Center (Morris, MN). Large scale phenotype and genotype data support may utilize the GEMS Informatics platform, which is co-sponsored by CFANS and UMN Research Computing, including the UMN Supercomputing Institute. 

Position Overview

Assistant Professor, tenure-track (9-month) position with Teaching (50%) and Research (50%) responsibilities involving dairy and animal genetics. The individual in this position will help to provide leadership in animal breeding, genetics, and applied animal production courses. Courses this position may be assigned include Animal Breeding, Introduction to Animal Science (including College-In-Schools oversight), Animal Handling, Advanced Dairy Cattle Breeding, Genetics, or graduate level courses in genetics, genomics, or mathematical genetics. The successful candidate will develop an externally funded research program in an area of dairy and animal genetics. Potential areas for discovery include, but are not limited to, enhanced tools for genetic or genomic selection, phenotyping methods for novel genetic traits, novel strategies for propagation of desirable complex traits, application of underlying genetic theory, and applications of high-throughput and whole-genome sequencing. Ideally, overall aims of research will contribute to understanding feed or production efficiency, climate resiliency, reduced environmental footprint, enhanced nutritional value, food safety, animal health and wellbeing, or other factors contributing to sustainability or human, animal, plant and environmental health (One Health). The tenure home of this position is in the Department of Animal Science (http://ansci.umn.edu), which is located in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) (http://www.cfans.umn.edu/). This faculty position will be housed at UMN St. Paul campus. The successful candidate is expected to develop independent, yet collaborative, research and teaching programs and to recruit and mentor graduate students, including those from diverse backgrounds. Collaboration among research, teaching, and Extension faculty and with colleagues in other disciplines is expected.

This position is not eligible for H1B sponsorship. 

Responsibilities

The UMN Department of Animal Science is seeking applicants with the ability to provide leadership and collaboration in instruction and establish and maintain an innovative, independent yet collaborative, and extramurally funded research program; and contribute to the public service mission of the University.

Teaching: 50%

• Establish a high-quality teaching program in dairy and animal breeding, genetics, and applied animal management
• Develop a successful graduate student training program, including teaching in area of expertise
• Provide academic mentoring for graduate and undergraduate students
• Contribute to student success through recruitment and retention activities, and student experiences and organizations
• Participate in professional development opportunities supporting teaching and advising
• Provide leadership in documenting and sharing innovations in teaching and learning

Research: 50%

• Conduct innovative research related to dairy and animal breeding and genetics
• Obtain internal and extramural funding, support graduate student research, publish in relevant refereed journals, and achieve national and international recognition
• Contribute to research programs in dairy and animal production systems within the department and interdisciplinary collaboration with faculty across the UMN and beyond

Required Qualifications

• PhD (or equivalent) in Dairy or Animal Science or Genetics with emphasis on genetic improvement of dairy or domestic animals completed by the time of appointment
• Demonstrated ability to propose and conduct independent and collaborative research
• Publication record in peer-reviewed scientific journals
• Evidence of skills in teaching and advising students
• Demonstrated strong commitment to the University’s goal of creating an inclusive campus climate

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in providing oversight to research in quantitative genetics, genomics, or application of genetic theory
• Evidence of obtaining extramural grant funding
• Experience in graduate student advising and mentoring
• Experience and ability to work with research and teaching teams in an interdisciplinary, diverse, and multicultural environment
• Evidence of communication of research results to external audiences
• Evidence of utilization of innovative teaching methods and technology

The Dairy and Livestock Industry

Minnesota’s dairy industry in 2023 ranked 7^th for milk cow inventory with 450,000 cows, 7^th for milk production 10.5B lbs, and 6^th for cheese production 817M lbs. Further, MN ranks 6^th for milk goat inventory at 14,000 head.  Among other livestock species, MN ranks 1^st in Turkeys raised, 2^nd in all hogs and pigs inventory, commercial hog slaughter, and value of hogs on farms; 3^rd in pig crop, 4^th in corn silage production 6^th in commercial red meat production, 9^th in steers at or over 500 lbs; and 8^th in all cattle and calves on feed.  The Twin Cities is home to many businesses connected to food production, including Cargill, Land O’Lakes, Zinpro, Quali-Tech, Milk Specialties, Topigs Norswin USA, Recombinetics/Trans Ova, and many others. For more information, see: https://www.nass.usda.gov/Quick_Stats/Ag_Overview/stateOverview.php?state=MINNESOTA .  

Salary/Benefits

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications. The 9-month salary (option to be paid over 12 months) can be supplemented through research and/or educational grants. Salary will be supplemented with 9 weeks of summer salary for the first three (3) years of the appointment to help establish research and Extension programs.

The University of Minnesota offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Health care and dependent daycare flexible spending accounts
• Excellent retirement plans with generous employer contribution and immediate vesting
• Employer paid disability and life insurance
• Wellbeing program with reduced insurance premiums
• Tuition reimbursement opportunities covering 75% of eligible tuition
• Opportunities for growth and promotion
• Employee Assistance Program

For more information regarding benefits, see Summary of Benefits.

Salary Range: $90,000 - $97,000

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted online: https://hr.myu.umn.edu/jobs/ext/371911. Candidates should include all of the required application materials combined into one single PDF document. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Required application materials:

• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae
• Statement of research (maximum 1 page)
• Statement of Teaching (maximum 1 page)

[both research and teaching statements should highlight accomplishments, experience, approach, and interests]

• Names, addresses and email contact information for three (3) professional references. References will be contacted only for those applicants judged most appropriate.

For questions regarding this position, please contact Chris Faulk, Chair, email: cfaulk@umn.edu or phone: 612- 624-7216. Inquiries about the search process may be directed to Kim Reno, Department of Animal Science Administrator, email: renox001@umn.edu, 612-624-7453. To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647).

Application Review will start on February 20, 2026.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu.

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About the U of M

The University of Minnesota recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds. The University provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the University, visit http://diversity.umn.edu.

We acknowledge that the University of Minnesota Twin Cities is built within the traditional homelands of the Dakota people. It is important to acknowledge the peoples on whose land we live, learn, and work as we seek to improve and strengthen our relations with our tribal nations.