Job Information
Iowa State University Associate/Full Professor in Animal Science and Director of the Iowa Beef Center in Ames, Iowa
Position Title:Associate/Full Professor in Animal Science and Director of the Iowa Beef Center
Appointment Type:Faculty
Job Description:Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:
The Department of Animal Science in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, seeks applicants for a 12-month tenured Associate/Full Professor who will serve as the Director of the Iowa Beef Center and statewide feedlot Extension specialist. The Director will lead a highly visible and integrated Extension, applied research and teaching program serving the beef industry in Iowa and beyond. Position responsibilities are approximately 25% in administration, 35% effort in Extension, 25% effort in research, 10% in teaching, and 5% in institutional service. These efforts are expected to be closely related and integrated together.
Successful candidates must be able to communicate effectively with beef industry stakeholders and create a vision for continued growth. The Director engages stakeholders, faculty and staff to identify priorities and develop research-based programs to inform and educate producers, allied industries and policy makers. The successful candidate must be an impact driven, system thinker that can create and implement a vision for a globally competitive and sustainable Iowa beef industry. The successful candidate must understand Iowa beef production systems and develop their own applied research and Extension program with an emphasis in serving the feedlot sector of beef production while also training and mentoring graduate students. The successful candidate must be a strong collaborator with the ability to garner external funding to support their program.
The administrative responsibilities will include leading the Iowa Beef Center (IBC) at Iowa State University. This will require establishing and pursuing a visionary approach to the center’s activities, oversight of the IBC budget, and the supervision of the IBC staff and beef Extension field specialists. It is expected that the candidate will also be a contributing member of outreach efforts by disseminating knowledge generated from their program and others from Iowa State University. The candidate will be expected to contribute to the department's teaching mission specifically in the aspect of feedlot production management at the advanced undergraduate level.
For guaranteed consideration applications must be received on September 13, 2024.
Application materials must clearly articulate the candidate’s suitability in relation to the below required and preferred qualifications and experiences.
Required Qualifications and Experience:
A PhD or equivalent degree in animal science or closely related field.
Scholarly accomplishments that qualify for tenure at the rank of Associate or Full Professor in a CALS academic department by time of appointment;
Preferred Qualifications and Experience:
Research experience in beef cattle science
Experience in administrative responsibilities
Knowledge of and experience working with beef cattle production systems in Iowa and the U.S.
Evidence of potential to lead a multi-disciplinary team serving the beef industry
Experience and knowledge of beef feedlot practices
Experience with impactful outreach/Extension programming
A productive research program (extramural funding and scholarly publication record) in applied and/or fundamental research in beef cattle
Effective teaching experience
Additional Information:
The Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University is a recognized leader in its field, both nationally and internationally, with balanced emphasis on research, teaching, and extension. The department is home to more than 1000 undergraduate students and 80 graduate students. The Department has a strong history of developing undergraduate students through research opportunities. The Department enjoys strong support and interactions with the livestock sector and allied industries at the state and national level. Its collegial environment, embedded in a strong livestock industry, makes the Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University an excellent base for faculty interested in pursuing a rewarding and impactful career in animal science.
The Iowa Beef Center (www.iowabeefcenter.org) was established in 1996 with the goal of supporting the growth and vitality of Iowa's beef cattle industry. The team represents on campus faculty and staff as well as off-campus ISU Extension program and field specialists, to effectively provide Iowa beef producers services to strengthen and support their enterprises.
There are more than 21,000 cattle operations in Iowa, including more than 19,000 farms with beef cows and more than 4,000 feedlots. Iowa also possesses nearly 1/3 of all beef cattle feedlots in the country greater than 500 head. The Iowa beef industry is nationally leading in terms of beef numbers and producers, ranking 4th in the country for cattle and calves on feed. Iowa is unique from other leading beef cattle production states, in that the diversity of forages and grains enables a unique production system requiring novel approaches to maximize efficiency, reduce environmental footprints, and effectively manage the carbon cycles. Further, the Iowa beef industry represents the largest demographic of independent producers in the state that relies on ISU’s capacity within the area of enhanced production efficiency. This position will be a strong avenue of research dissemination through the Iowa Beef Center in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Infrastructure: The department of Animal Science and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences are home to research feedlots both on campus (Beef Nutrition Farm) and at outlying research farms (Armstrong Memorial Research and Demonstration Farm). Additionally, the university maintains two cow-calf herds (one used for beef teaching and the other at the McNay research farm). All research farms will enable this individual to work across the department, college and university to forge collaborations with numerous partners.
Department Website: www.ans.iastate.edu
Proposed Start Date:January 1, 2025
Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period
Time Type:Full time
Application Instructions:
To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. For full consideration applications must be received on September 13, 2024.
Applicants must be prepared to submit:
A cover letter addressing the required and preferred qualifications.
A vision statement for the Iowa Beef Industry and the role of the Iowa Beef Center Director.
A vision for an integrated research, extension and teaching program as a faculty member in the Department of Animal Science.
A curriculum vitae.
Names and complete contact information for 3-5 references.
For more information, contact Dr. Jason Ross, Department Chair, at jwross@iastate.edu or 515-294-2161 or Dr. Laura Greiner, Search Committee Chair, at 515-294-6728 or greinerl@iastate.edu.
Why Choose ISU?Iowa State Faculty enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:• Retirement benefits, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans• Generous leave plans• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)• Life insurance and long-term disability• Flexible Spending Accounts• Various voluntary benefits and discounts• Employee Assistance Program• Wellbeing program
Original Posting Date: July 17, 2024
Posting Close Date:
Job Requisition Number:R15129
By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive land-grant mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State , we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.
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Iowa State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, marital status, disability, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against. Inquiries can be directed to the Office of Equal Opportunity, 3410 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, 515 294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu .
If you have questions about the application process please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485 . Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email employment@iastate.edu or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485 . TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942 .
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