Beef Extension and Research Assistant Professor

Beef Extension and Research Assistant Professor

Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, AGREETT Beef Production Systems

Department of Animal Science, College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, University of Minnesota Extension

Position Overview

Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, tenure-track (9-month) position with Extension (60%) and Research (40%) responsibilities involving cattle management and beef quality. The individual in this position will conduct Extension and research in one or more areas of beef production systems. Examples include impacts of production system, growth management, cow-calf management, animal behavior and well-being, environmental sustainability, precision technologies, or pre-finishing nutrition and health on carcass yield and beef quality.  The tenure home of this position is in the Department of Animal Science (http://ansci.umn.edu) which is located in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) (http://www.cfans.umn.edu/). This Extension Specialist position will also report to the University of Minnesota (UMN) Extension (https://extension.umn.edu/). The successful candidate is expected to develop independent as well as collaborative research and Extension programs and to recruit and mentor graduate students including those from diverse backgrounds. Collaboration among research and Extension faculty and with colleagues in other disciplines is expected.  This position is funded by legislative action through the Agricultural Research Education Extension and Technology Transfer (AGREETT, https://agreett.umn.edu) program.

Responsibilities and Expectations

The UMN Department of Animal Science is seeking applicants having the ability to establish and maintain an innovative, independent yet collaborative, and extramurally funded research program; develop and deliver impactful Extension programming; and contribute to the public service mission of the University.

Extension: 60%

  • Establish strong connections with cow-calf and feedlot beef producers and industry partners.
  • Provide strong leadership and impactful Extension programming on critical issues related to beef production systems and beef quality and safety. 
  • Be an active and collaborative member of the UMN Extension Beef Team.
  • Publish in research and industry-relevant publications.
  • Serve as a resource for beef production stakeholders in Minnesota and beyond.

Research: 40%

  • Conduct innovative research relative to beef production systems in the continuum from beef cattle management to pre- and post-harvest meat quality.
  • Obtain internal and extramural funding, support graduate student research, publish in relevant refereed journals, and achieve national recognition.
  • Contribute to research programs in beef production systems within the Department and interdisciplinary collaboration with faculty across the UMN and beyond.

Required Qualifications

  • Ph.D. (or equivalent) in animal science or a program with a demonstrated focus on beef cattle management or meat quality completed by the time of appointment.
  • Demonstrated ability to propose and conduct independent and collaborative research.
  • Publication record in peer reviewed scientific journals.
  • Evidence of skills in disseminating educational programming to producer clientele and/or lay audiences.
  • Demonstrated strong commitment to the University’s goal of creating a positive and inclusive campus climate by advancing equity and diversity.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Background in providing oversight to research or Extension programs connecting beef production from conception to consumption.
  • Evidence of obtaining extramural grant funding.
  • Experience in graduate advising and mentoring.
  • Experience and ability to work with research and Extension teams in an interdisciplinary, diverse, and multicultural environment.
  • Experience in field-based applied research.
  • Evidence of communication of research results to external audiences.
  • Evidence of utilization of innovative teaching methods and technology.

The Beef Industry

Minnesota’s beef industry, with more than 800,000 cattle in inventory, generates over $1 billion in cash receipts annually and is one of the top three livestock industries in Minnesota, after swine and dairy.  There are approximately 15,500 beef producers across the state with beef feedlots concentrated in western Minnesota and cow-calf herds located throughout the state. In 2020, Minnesota ranked 6th in red meat production, 8th in cattle on feed, and 9th in steers >500 pounds.  Minnesota has a large and diverse agriculture industry. For more information on the agricultural economy in Minnesota, visit https://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Minnesota/Publications/Rankings/2020-MN-Rankings.pdf.

University of Minnesota Beef Research Program

The person in this position is expected to conduct research in beef production with an aim to enhance beef yield and quality. The North Central Research and Outreach Center (NCROC) in Grand Rapids, MN, and Rosemount Research and Outreach Center (RROC) in Rosemount, MN have beef facilities and are part of the Research and Outreach Center network of the University of Minnesota. The NCROC encompasses about 900 acres, a 250-Angus cow herd, a 60-head individual Calan door drylot facility, and a new 2,500 square foot handling facility with complementary laboratory space. For more information visit https://ncroc.cfans.umn.edu/.  The RROC houses a 400-head (38-pen) indoor feedlot. Numerous research projects are currently being conducted at both facilities. Other facilities available for beef production systems research include the meat laboratory (Andrew Boss Laboratory of Meat Science) as well as bovine nutrition and other laboratories located on the St. Paul campus.

University of Minnesota Extension

UMN Extension is the major outreach arm of the University, which is a land grant institution with a mission to serve the public through applied research and education. The mission of UMN Extension is to “make a difference by connecting community needs and University resources to address critical issues in Minnesota”.  

The individual in this position will be a member of the UMN Extension Beef Team. This team facilitates dissemination of results derived through research. The team has been actively involved in delivering quality Extension programming to beef producers for over 25 years, establishing a solid reputation for discovering stakeholder needs through a yearly planning meeting. The team has close partnerships with the Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association and Minnesota Beef Council, and a history of establishing Extension programming based on industry needs.  Other research and education opportunities are present through collaborations with faculty in Departments of Animal Science, Agronomy and Plant Genetics, Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, Entomology, Food Science and Nutrition, and the College of Veterinary Medicine. The team also has well-established collaborations with the MN Department of Agriculture, National Research Conservation Service, Board of Water and Soil Resources, Department of Natural Resources, Board of Animal Health, and Farm Business Management Association.

College Overview

The College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) offers thirteen majors, three pre-major/pre-professional programs, and 23 minors for undergraduate students. Undergraduate enrollment in the college is about 2000 students. CFANS students are well-prepared for a diverse, multicultural workforce through the college’s emphasis on experiential, interdisciplinary, and intercultural learning; internships, and global perspectives.

Department Overview

The Department of Animal Science is recognized nationally and internationally for its excellent research, teaching, and extension programs in animal agriculture and animal biology. Our faculty members have received national recognition for the quality of their classroom instruction and attention to student needs and concerns.  www.ansci.umn.edu

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online: http://employment.umn.edu/ (search for Job #344642). Candidates should include all of the required application materials combined into one single PDF document.  Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Required application materials:

  • cover letter
  • curriculum vitae
  • statement of research (maximum 1 page)
  • statement of extension (maximum 1 page)

 [both research and extension statements should highlight accomplishments, experience and interests]

  • Diversity Statement (please see below*)
  • Names, addresses and email contact information for three (3) professional references. References will be contacted only for those applicants judged most appropriate.

Send direct inquiries about the position to: AGREETT Beef  Production Systems Search Committee, Dept. of Animal Science, Ryan Cox, Chair, 1364 Eckles Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108, email: ryancox@umn.edu, phone: 612-624-3063. Inquiries about the search process may be directed to Kim Reno, Animal Science Department Administrator, email: renox001@umn.edu, 612-624-7453.  To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647).

Submit applications by Monday, January 3, 2022.

*Instructions for Diversity Statement (include with application materials)

Applicants are required to submit a diversity statement for this position. CFANS values and is actively invested in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) throughout all of our academic programs. Please review the CFANS definition of diversity and the DEI strategic plan for the college. 

Please, provide a diversity statement that details your professional experiences in DEI. Experiences may include:

  • Working with diverse communities or local organizations
  • Embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion into the curriculum
  • Embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion into your research
  • Your own educational experiences, such as courses or workshops you have participated in and how you anticipate incorporating what you have learned in your future work