Avian Reproductive Physiology Assistant Professor

Position:
Assistant/Associate Professor, tenure-track (9-month) position with Research (60%) and Teaching (40%) responsibilities involving avian reproductive physiology in poultry production. The position is in the Department of Animal Science (https://www.ansci.umn.edu/), College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resources Sciences (https://www.cfans.umn.edu/), located on the St Paul campus of the University of Minnesota (https://twin-cities.umn.edu/about-us).  The successful candidate is expected to develop independent as well as collaborative research and teaching programs, and to recruit and mentor graduate students including those from culturally diverse backgrounds.

Poultry Industry in Minnesota:
Minnesota has an extensive poultry industry which is linked both national and internationally. Minnesota is ranked #1 for turkey production (42 million annually); and is home to the world’s largest turkey hatchery company (Select-Genetics) and the 2nd largest turkey processing company in the U.S. (Jennie-O Turkey Store). In addition, Minnesota is ranked 10th in the US for chicken egg layers and the major broiler company (Pilgrims’ Pride) produces 59 million chicken broilers annually.  Advancing reproduction in the commercial industry is needed to support the state’s commercial poultry meat and egg business. The individual in this position will be a key contributor in the area of avian physiology for the poultry research and teaching program at this university.   They will have opportunities to interact with existing poultry and physiology researchers and educators in the department, with avian researchers elsewhere in the university as well as experts in industry research and development.

Responsibilities:
The Department of Animal Science is seeking applicants who can establish and maintain an innovative, independent, collaborative, and extramurally funded research program and contribute to the teaching and public service missions of the university. 

Research (60%)
The successful candidate will be expected to develop a nationally and internationally recognized research program in avian reproductive physiology. The individual will conduct basic and translational research with molecular, cellular, biochemical, and/or biotechnology approaches to enhance reproductive productivity of male and female poultry breeders. Research could encompass basic and applied reproductive physiology dealing with such focus areas as endocrine control of reproduction; environmental, nutritional or disease factors influencing reproductive function and performance and gamete function and manipulation. The candidate is expected to be a contributing member to the research programs within the Department and collaborate with other faculty in departments and colleges across the U of M, Extension Service and other scientists in state and federal agencies. Additionally, there will be a number of opportunities for formal and applied research projects with several of the aforementioned industry partners in the state of Minnesota.  The successful candidate’s research program is expected to achieve national and international recognition, support graduate student research, result in publications in relevant refereed journals and attract extramural funding.

Teaching (40%)
The successful candidate is expected to develop a high-quality teaching program for a diverse community of undergraduate and graduate students.  At the undergraduate level, teaching responsibilities will include a poultry reproduction course and/or other courses related to the successful candidate’s specialty area.  A graduate level course is recommended in the successful candidate’s area of expertise.  The individual in this position is expected to provide academic mentoring/advising for undergraduate and graduate students in Animal Science. Additionally, there is an expectation of participation in professional development opportunities supporting teaching and advising. 

Salary/Benefits:
Hiring at an Assistant or Associate Professor level will be based on experience and qualifications. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications. The 9-month salary (option to be paid over 12 months) can be supplemented through research and/or educational grants. Salary will be supplemented with 9 weeks of summer salary for the first two (2) years of the appointment to help establish a research and teaching program. Benefits include employee and dependent health, dental, and faculty life/disability insurance, social security, faculty retirement and opportunities for professional development, including mentoring, and sabbatical and semester leave opportunities. Benefits are described at http://www1.umn.edu/ohr/benefits/index.html