Description:
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Department of Animal Science and Food Science within the College of Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Sciences serves over 800 majors, with over 25% of those students within the equine option. The University maintains a teaching herd including riding horses, broodmares, stallions, and young stock. The Department is seeking a nine-month, full-time academic, tenure-track undergraduate faculty position (100% teaching) at the rank of Assistant Professor. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong interests and ability to teach undergraduate courses in animal science with an emphasis on equine science, equitation, or management. Other teaching opportunities may include courses in the core animal science curriculum. The standard teaching load is 12 credit hours per semester. Appointment date: August 2026.
RESPONSIBILITIES 100% Teaching:
Primary teaching will include undergraduate courses in equine science and in the core animal science curriculum focused on the disciplines of nutrition, physiology, or reproduction, depending on departmental needs, the individual’s interest, educational background and skill level. Additional responsibilities include academic advising to undergraduate students and advising to student organizations, clubs, and teams within the department. Active participation is expected in department-sponsored events. The individual will also establish and maintain affiliations within the horse industry at the local, state, regional, and national levels. After hiring, the individual would be expected to continue to advance their knowledge and level of expertise within the equine field.
The University requires participation in faculty governance and service activities at the departmental, college and university levels. Faculty members are also expected to engage in scholarly activity. Such activities are broadly defined and may include the scholarship of teaching, the scholarship of research, or similar activities. Opportunities exist for summer employment through teaching, research grants, internship supervision, outreach short-courses, and other funding sources.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Qualifications (Required):
• DVM or PhD in Animal Science or a related field is required at the time of appointment. Applicants who have finished course work and are still working on their dissertation may be considered for a conditional appointment and must complete their PhD within one year of the date of employment.
• Primary educational/professional expertise in equine science, management, or equitation.
• Professional priority for achieving excellence in undergraduate teaching.
• Strong interest in teaching college-level courses to undergraduate students.
• Demonstrated interest and ability in providing academic advising to undergraduate students.
• Expressed commitment and capability in supporting and advising co-curricular activities such as student organizations, internships, and/or undergraduate research.
• Well-developed and effective oral and written communication skills.
• Familiarity with U.S. animal agricultural practices.
Qualifications (Preferred):
• Experience, contacts, and involvement in the equine industry.
• Documented evidence of successful teaching at the college level.
• Experience and/or interest in coaching collegiate horse judging teams.
• Equitation skills in either Western or English riding disciplines.
• Experience in equine reproductive management.