Position Summary
The Department of Animal Science at Michigan State University invites applications for a full‐time, academic year (9-month) tenure system Assistant Professor with a 50% extension/outreach, 25% research, 20% teaching, and 5% service assignment. The position start date is anticipated to be August 16, 2025.
The successful candidate will develop a robust extension/outreach program focused on swine production systems that support industry needs. The successful candidate will also develop a research program that complements their extension efforts. Specific research areas may include, but are not limited to, nutrition, nutrient management, genetics, behavior and welfare, or biosecurity. In addition, the successful candidate will contribute to the teaching mission of the department by delivering impactful and engaging educational experiences for students. This includes an annual introductory swine management course and a biennial advanced swine management course. Training of graduate students will also be expected.
Pork production continues an evolutionary path leading to substantially coordinated systems of multiple farm-sites, suppliers, lenders, harvesting, and distribution. Effective coordination is critical across both large-scale intensive, and small-scale extensive, production systems. A deep understanding of logistics, feed and genetic procurement, performance metrics, and animal welfare is essential for industry success. Concurrent with changes in these aspects of production are enhanced biosecurity and business continuity in the advent of a highly consequential disease, and efforts to measure and lessen environmental impacts on water and air. The successful candidate will have expertise in a specific part of this coordinated system.
Michigan has a vibrant and growing swine industry which was responsible for over $450 million of hog marketings in 2023, employed more than 4,000 people and generated an additional 5,800 jobs in supplier and ancillary industries. Michigan ranks 13th nationally in swine production with over 1.3 million head in production. Michigan is also home to a state-of-the-art pork processing plant.
The Department has existing faculty working on behavior, genetics, and nutrition of swine. The University has a closed, bio-secure, swine teaching and research center with 250 purebred, registered Yorkshire sows. The center has all stages of swine production and was recently remodeled and expanded to include group-sow housing facilities. The center batch farrows 48 sows a month and produces over 6,000 pigs a year. In addition, strong collaborations exist with experts in other MSU units including Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Veterinary Diagnostics, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics, Food Science and Human Nutrition, and MSU Extension, among others.
The successful candidate must possess effective communication skills in their interactions with stakeholders and students which will include those with diversity of demographic, ethnic, gender, and cultural backgrounds. The candidate is expected to develop innovative instructional approaches to extension/outreach and classroom teaching and have a commitment to on-going professional development in the assignments. An understanding of, and commitment to, experiential learning and the land grant mission are essential for success. The successful candidate must be able to work collaboratively with other faculty and extension professionals, effectively communicate and network with swine producers, state government departments, and associated industries and be a strong supporter of animal agriculture.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.
Required Degree
Doctorate -Animal Science or closely related field
Minimum Requirements
A PhD in Animal Science, or a closely related field. A demonstrated record of activities in extension/outreach, research, and teaching relevant to the position. Candidates should be able to demonstrate the ability and commitment to work cooperatively with colleagues across disciplines.
Desired Qualifications
Desired qualifications:
Postdoctoral training is desired.
Ability to establish stakeholder partnerships.
Evidence of research capabilities as demonstrated by peer-reviewed publications.
Demonstrated potential to secure competitive research funding from agencies such as USDA, industry, foundations, etc.
Demonstrated evidence of effective teaching and communication skills.
Evidence of commitment and dedication to mentoring a diverse student population preparing for careers in academia, industry, or government.
Required Application Materials
For consideration, submit your application online at http://careers.msu.edu. Upload the following required documents: a) letter of interest that includes qualifications for the position and statement of extension, research, and teaching philosophies highlighting how your experiences align with the position (2-page maximum); b) current curriculum vitae; c) a description of how you will contribute to our diversity, equity and inclusion goals; and d) contact information for three professional references. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Special Instructions
The search committee will begin reviewing applications on February 1, 2025 and continue until a suitable candidate is selected.
Questions regarding this position can be addressed to the Search Committee Chair: Dr. Adam Lock, Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA, email: allock@msu.edu and telephone: 517-802-8124.
Review of Applications Begins On
02/01/2025
Department Statement
The mission of the Department of Animal Science is creating, advancing and extending knowledge benefiting humans, animals, food production agriculture, sustainable systems management, and the environment. The Department currently has 38 faculty dedicated to scholarship through teaching, research, extension and public service, and who support an enthusiastic and dynamic population of over 650 undergraduate students engaged in a wide range of activities. Faculty research is supported by a diverse portfolio of funding from federal agencies, foundations and industry sources, and faculty are strongly committed to training graduate students and postdoctoral scientists. Faculty also engage in extension activities in support of the livestock industries in Michigan and beyond.
Location: The position will be based at Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI, USA. Michigan State University (MSU) is one of the top research universities in the world and home to nationally ranked and recognized academic, residential college, and service-learning programs. MSU is a diverse community of dedicated students and scholars, athletes and artists, and scientists that provide regional, national, and international leadership in basic and applied research and excellence in teaching. In addition, consistent with its Land Grant origins, the MSU community pursues international engagement and provides strong extension programs that partner with diverse stakeholders to provide much needed research in the areas of food, energy, water and the environment. MSU enjoys a park‐like campus with outlying research facilities and natural areas. The campus is located in the city of East Lansing, adjacent to the capital city of Lansing. The Lansing metropolitan area has a diverse population of >500,000. Local communities have excellent school systems and place a high value on education. The University is proactive about its obligations under the ADA and provides individual accessibility plans to students and employees with disabilities. Michigan State University is also proactive in exploring opportunities for employment for dual career families, both inside and outside the University, and respects all family forms. Information about MSU’s dual career support and other types of support for balancing work and personal lives at MSU can be found at http://worklife.msu.edu/.
Commitment to Creating a Sense of Belonging: Michigan State University occupies the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary Lands of the Anishinaabeg – Three Fires Confederacy of Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi people. The University resides on Land ceded in the 1819 Treaty of Saginaw.
The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University is committed to achieving excellence by creating and sustaining an accessible and inclusive culture that values cultural and academic diversity. We are an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer. The CANR is particularly interested in candidates of all backgrounds who are committed to the principle that academic excellence is achieved through open access and proactive inclusion. Candidates are invited to view the Department of Animal Science Community Norms at: //www.canr.msu.edu/ans/DEI/ans-community-norms.
MSU Statement
Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.
