Description:
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
Tenure Track, nine-month appointment beginning August 16, 2026
The Department of Agriculture invites applications for one tenure-track position beginning August 16, 2026.
We are seeking qualified candidates in the field of Animal Science.
To be considered, applicants will hold a terminal degree in Animal Science or related field (Ph.D. or DVM);
however, exceptional Ph.D. candidates will also be considered with an expected completion of their doctoral
degree before May 15, 2026. Candidates must be able to demonstrate oral proficiency in the English language as a requirement for this position, as mandated by state law. Responsibilities include scholarly research and publishing including grant writing, effective undergraduate and graduate teaching and mentoring, and service within the department, university and professional organizations.
The normal teaching load is nine credit hours per semester. Thus, the individual in this position is expected to
teach 3 courses each semester within the Department of Agriculture. Teaching responsibilities will be assigned based on the successful candidate’s area of expertise, with opportunities available in areas including nutrition, animal welfare and behavior, and animal health and disease.
Salary, Rank and Tenure: The position is a nine-month, tenure track appointment with the possibility of
summer teaching. Salary and rank are commensurate with qualifications and experience. The locus of annual
evaluation, tenure, and promotion in rank will be in the Department of Agriculture. A comprehensive benefits
package is included.
University Benefit Highlights:
- Insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life
- Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options
- Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents
- Paid holiday/administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks
- Paid benefit time
Additional University Benefit information, including information regarding eligibility to participate in the State
Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program, can be reviewed here:
https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/
The Department of Agriculture (AGR) at Illinois State University has 12 tenured and tenure-track faculty,
approximately 440 undergraduate students, and 40 graduate students. The department offers an undergraduate major in Agriculture with sequences in Agribusiness, Agriculture Communication and Leadership, Agriculture Education, Agronomy Management, Animal Industry Management, Animal Science, Crop and Soil Science, Food Industry Management, Horticulture and Landscape Management, and Pre-Veterinary Medicine. The department offers a Master of Science in Agriculture with sequences in Agribusiness, Agriculture Education and Leadership, and Agriscience. The department boasts unique resources to facilitate teaching and research, including a meats laboratory, an agriculture mechanics and technology laboratory, a 25-acre horticulture center, and a 600-acre teaching and research farm with grain and livestock production. The program blends classroom instruction with applied experiences, preparing graduates for leadership in agriculture and related industries. The Department of Agriculture ( https://agriculture.illinoisstate.edu/ ) is administratively located within the College of Applied Science and Technology ( http://cast.illinoisstate.edu/ ).
Illinois State University: IllinoisState.edu, was founded in 1857 as Illinois’ first public university. We enroll
approximately 21,000 students in six colleges. Our new strategic plan, Excellence by Design: 2024-2029, lists our seven core values: Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship; Individualized Attention; Equity, Diversity, Access, and Belonging; Collaboration; Community and Civic Engagement; Respect; and Integrity. By acting on these values, we create a learning environment that results in our university being the first-choice public university in Illinois for high-achieving, motivated students who seek an individualized educational experience combined with the resources of a large university. Learn more about Illinois State’s Metrics of Excellence at IllinoisState.edu/PointsofPride. Bloomington-Normal Community: Illinois State University is located in the growing twin cities of Bloomington and Normal, with a metro population of approximately 172,000. The community is also home to Illinois Wesleyan University, Heartland Community College, St. Joseph Medical Center, Carle BroMenn Medical Center, COUNTRY Financial, State Farm Insurance’s International Headquarters, Central Illinois Regional Airport, and electric truck manufacturer Rivian Motors.
The community has distinguished itself for its outstanding school systems, and its citizens’ high level of educational attainment, as well as its parks and recreation, health care, vibrant fine arts scene, job growth, economic opportunity, historic sites, and low crime rates. Bloomington made Livability’s top 100 Best Places to Live (2024) and ranked No. 3 on College Values Online’s list of Best Small College Towns in America (2024). Bloomington-Normal is conveniently located about three hours from Indianapolis; two hours from both Chicago and St. Louis; and an hour from Peoria, Champaign-Urbana, Decatur, and Springfield. Many of these locations are accessible from BloomingtonNormal via Amtrak, which is located one block from Illinois State’s campus. For more information on our community, visit visitbn.org.
Application Procedure: Review of applications will begin October 27, 2025, and continue until the position is
filled. Applicants should submit an initial online faculty application referring to posting number 520831. To do this, visit (www.IllinoisState.edu/jobs/) where applicants must submit a complete application packet by
uploading the requisite documents, which include: 1) letter of application; 2) teaching philosophy; 3) research
agenda; 4) curriculum vitae; and 5) the names and contact details of 3 references. Applications will be
considered incomplete until all required items are uploaded and will not be reviewed until complete. If any
applicant has questions about the position, please contact the Search Committee Chair (Dr. Drew Lugar,
dwlugar@ilstu.edu).
Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.