Position Description

INTRODUCTION 

The Department of Animal Science in the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources (CAHNR) at the University of Connecticut (UConn) invites applications for the position of Assistant Professor in Residence. Candidates with a variety of disciplinary backgrounds and extension and teaching interests in dairy management are encouraged to apply. This is an 11-month, 55% extension, and 45% teaching, non-tenure track position at UConn’s main campus in Storrs.

The Department of Animal Science includes 20 faculty and 20 staff members. Faculty expertise includes food science and microbiology, meat science and muscle biology, poultry and livestock production, growth physiology, genetics and genomics, reproductive physiology, equine science, and animal biotechnology. The Storrs campus houses AAALAC-accredited farms (beef and dairy cattle, sheep, poultry, swine, and horses), a meat processing facility, and a commercial creamery that support research, teaching, and extension. Our state-of-the-art dairy facility utilizes voluntary (robotic) milking units with an advanced analysis system to provide data on pregnancy and animal health. The Department has approximately 400 undergraduate majors pursuing AAS and BS degrees and 40 graduate students pursuing M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. In addition to classroom instruction, the undergraduate curricula include experiential learning, study abroad opportunities, and undergraduate research programs.

CAHNR has implemented a Strategic Vision to guide the development and focus of our teaching, research, and Extension programs in the years 2020-2025. All faculty and technical staff are expected to contribute to one or multiple strategic priorities outlined below, as per their interests and expertise. (https://cahnr.uconn.edu/visionandvalues).

• Ensuring a vibrant agricultural industry and sustainable food supply
• Enhancing health and well-being locally, nationally, and globally
• Dismantling structural racism and fostering environments that advance racial equity, inclusion, and belonging by advocating for antiracist policies, practices, and norms
• Fostering sustainable landscapes across urban-rural interfaces
• Advancing resilience and adaptation in a changing climate UConn is a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution and a member of the Space Grant Consortium.

The University and CAHNR prioritize scholarship in areas that impact quality of life, including human, animal, plant, and environmental health and sustainability. We encourage and provide support for cross-disciplinary, collaborative scholarship across the College, University, nation, and globe. UConn is committed to Life Transforming Education for students and Extension audiences. UConn is recognized as one of the most sustainable and environmentally friendly campuses by the Sierra Club. 

Founded in 1881, UConn is a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution and member of the Space Grant Consortium. It is the state’s flagship institution of higher education and includes a main campus in Storrs, CT, four regional campuses throughout the state, and 13 Schools and Colleges, including a Law School in Hartford, and Medical and Dental Schools at the UConn Health campus in Farmington. The University has approximately 10,000 faculty and staff and 32,000 students, including nearly 24,000 undergraduates and over 8,000 graduate and professional students. UConn is a Carnegie Foundation R1 (highest research activity) institution, among the top 25 public universities in the nation. Through research, teaching, service, and outreach, UConn embraces diversity and cultivates leadership, integrity, and engaged citizenship in its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. UConn promotes the health and well-being of citizens by enhancing the social, economic, cultural, and natural environments of the state and beyond. The University serves as a beacon of academic and research excellence as well as a center for innovation and social service to communities. UConn is a leader in many scholarly, research, and innovation areas. Today, the path forward includes exciting opportunities and notable challenges. Record numbers of undergraduate applications and support for student success have enabled the University to become extraordinarily selective.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the success of the Department of Animal Science through teaching and extension activities, experiential learning opportunities, and the use of the animal resources available on the UConn Storrs campus. The teaching component of this position will consist of undergraduate courses in milk production and dairy management and other dairy practice related courses, a graduate course in the individual’s area of expertise, and advising undergraduate students. The candidate will be expected to collaborate with existing faculty within the Department and CAHNR and contribute to the academic community through services within and outside the University. The successful candidate will also be responsible for developing and maintaining impactful extension programs in dairy management. We are seeking a collaborative educator able to cultivate strong relationships with CT dairy producers (https://ctdairy.org/), allied industry professionals, extension educators, and university faculty to augment the impact of their extension and teaching efforts. It is expected that the individual will pursue external funding to support extension programming and produce scholarly publications based on extension programming and education. A commitment to promoting diversity through academic and/or extension programs is expected as well.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

• Ph.D. or D.V.M. (or equivalent) in animal science, dairy science, or a closely related field. Equivalent foreign degrees are accepted.
• Demonstrated experience in dairy management.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and delivering outreach programs for the dairy industry.
• A strong interest in undergraduate teaching and advising.
• Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication and strong interpersonal skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Postgraduate experience in the dairy industry or in an academic setting.
• Skills and experience with grant writing to secure extramural funding. 
• Productive record of teaching and scholarly activity at the university level that would strengthen current department initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, deliver, and evaluate impactful extension programs.
• Experience and/or interest in collaborating on applied research and data analyses. 
• Skills and experience in writing scholarly publications. 
• Experience and/or interest in working with voluntary (robotic) milking and advanced analysis system.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time, 11-month, 55% extension, and 45% teaching, non-tenure track Assistant Professor in Residence position at the University of Connecticut’s main campus located in Storrs. The anticipated start date is August 23, 2023. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY

 Please apply online to Academic Jobs Online https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/24068 and submit the following application materials:

• Cover letter summarizing how your qualifications and experience meet the position requirements. Be sure to mention how your work will address one or more of the CAHNR strategic priorities (1-2 pages)
• Curriculum vitae
• Teaching statement, including teaching philosophy, teaching experience, and commitment to effective learning. (1-2 pages)
• Extension statement, including approaches to developing an effective program and assessing program impacts (1-2 pages)
• Diversity statement, including broadening participation, integrating multicultural experiences in instruction and extension, and applying effective pedagogical techniques to meet the needs of diverse learning styles (1-2 pages)
• Names and contact information for at least three references. Finalists will be notified prior to contacting references.

Only complete applications submitted via Academic Jobs Online will be considered. Evaluation of applicants will begin February 15, 2023, and will continue until a successful candidate is selected. Inquiries should be sent by email to the search committee chair, Dennis D’Amico (ddamico@uconn.edu).

At the University of Connecticut, our commitment to excellence is complemented by our commitment to building a culturally diverse community.

This position will be filled subject the budgetary approval.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.

The University of Connecticut is committed to building and supporting a multicultural and diverse community of students, faculty and staff. The diversity of students, faculty and staff continues to increase, as does the number of honors students, valedictorians and salutatorians who consistently make UConn their top choice. More than 100 research centers and institutes serve the University’s teaching, research, diversity, and outreach missions, leading to UConn’s ranking as one of the nation’s top research universities. UConn’s faculty and staff are the critical link to fostering and expanding our vibrant, multicultural and diverse University community. As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer, UConn encourages applications from women, veterans, people with disabilities and members of traditionally underrepresented populations.