Position Summary
The major focus of the laboratory is to understand fatty acid digestion and metabolism in lactating dairy cows and apply this knowledge to improve nutrient utilization, feed efficiency, animal production, and health.
The successful candidate will conduct research in dairy cattle nutrition, with an emphasis on fatty acid supplementation, nutrient metabolism, and nutritional strategies to improve the performance of lactating dairy cows. The individual will lead and support dairy cattle research studies, including experimental planning, animal research activities, sample collection, data management and statistical analysis, interpretation of results, and preparation of scientific manuscripts, presentations, research reports, and other research materials. The individual will participate in multiple research projects, help coordinate the research activities of students and staff within the program, and mentor undergraduate research assistants and graduate students.
Research activities will be conducted within the Department of Animal Science and at the Michigan State University Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center.
As an institution of higher learning, Michigan State University is committed to providing a safe environment for its students, faculty, and staff in support of its educational mission. With this commitment, the University conducts criminal background checks and professional misconduct reviews of all applicants for employment in faculty, academic staff, and executive management searches.
Professional Misconduct Review
A professional misconduct review is a prerequisite for a candidate to be selected for this position. Applicants will be asked to disclose whether they are subject to any pending investigation, findings or sanctions related to professional misconduct. Professional misconduct includes misconduct related to a person’s employment, including, but not limited to, theft, embezzlement, research integrity, discrimination, or harassment under civil rights laws and policies, including protected identity harassment, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct (sexual assault, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, etc.), and retaliation. All applicants will be asked to sign an authorization and release, which authorizes the University to contact the candidate’s current and former employers, for a period of 7 years prior to the date of application, related to any pending investigations, findings of responsibility and/or sanctions related to professional misconduct. Nothing will be sent to current or former employers unless the candidate reaches the semi-finalist stage.
The existence of professional misconduct history does not automatically exclude a candidate from employment. The University will assess the history, including any information provided by the candidate, in determining whether it is compatible with the position. The University may decline to hire a candidate based on the professional misconduct review. All records obtained from external employers will be kept in a secure location, separate from personnel files. If an applicant fails to sign the authorization and release, the application will be deemed incomplete and will be withdrawn.
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
Terminal -Ph.D. in Animal Science, Dairy Science, Animal Nutrition, or a closely related field by the position start date. Research experience in dairy cattle nutrition and metabolism. Experience conducting and managing dairy cattle research studies, including animal handling and sample collection, data management and statistical analysis, interpretation of research results, and preparation of scientific manuscripts and research presentations.
Minimum Requirements
Experience in dairy cattle lipid digestion and metabolism, fatty acid supplementation, and nutritional strategies for lactating dairy cows. Experience with feed and nutrient analysis, dairy cattle diet formulation, and collection and analysis of biological samples. Proficiency with statistical software such as SAS and experience interpreting animal production and metabolic data. Excellent organizational, written, and oral communication skills. Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary research team. Experience coordinating research activities and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students is also desired.
Required Application Materials
Curriculum Vitae
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.
