Assistant Professor - Dairy Animal Welfare

This is a nine-month, full-time academic, tenure-track faculty position (60% research and 40% teaching) at the rank of Assistant Professor in the Department of Animal and Food Science. The standard full-time teaching load is 12 credit hours per semester (4.67 credits per semester for this 40% teaching appointment). The successful candidate will demonstrate strong interests and abilities to conduct research and teach courses in dairy and/or animal science with an emphasis on dairy animal management and welfare. Opportunities exist for optional summer employment through research grants, teaching or other funding sources.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Research – 60%
Primary research will focus on dairy animal welfare. Research opportunities exist on our University Laboratory Farm with 100 milking cows and 100 youngstock. Additional research opportunities exist with commercial dairy farmers in Wisconsin and the Upper Midwest for conducting surveys, field studies, and epidemiologic studies. Collaborative dairy research opportunities exist with colleagues on our UW-River Falls campus, as well as colleagues at UW-Madison and UW-Platteville as part of the state-wide Dairy Innovation Hub program. Participating and contributing to dairy animal research at the state, regional and national levels is expected. Establishing, participating and maintaining affiliations with dairy producers, dairy-affiliated groups, and dairy associations at the state, regional and national levels is expected.

Teaching – 40%
Primary teaching will include undergraduate courses in dairy and/or animal science with an emphasis on, but not limited to, dairy cattle management and welfare. These teaching opportunities may include introductory dairy and animal science courses, and other courses in the core dairy and animal science curriculum, depending on departmental needs, the individual’s interest, educational background and skill level. Additional responsibilities include serving as academic advisor to undergraduates and participating in departmental service.

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, which broadly defined, includes the scholarship of research, the scholarship of teaching, or similar scholarly activities. UW-River Falls strives to be a leader in collaborative and undergraduate research; we therefore seek faculty members who have an interest in, or experience with collaborative research, scholarship, and creative activity.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS & ABILITIES

Qualifications (Required): The following items are required within potential candidates:
• PhD in Dairy Science or Animal Science or Animal Welfare or closely related discipline. A DVM with a graduate degree would also be considered. Applicants who have finished course work and are still working on their dissertation may be considered for a conditional appointment and must complete their Ph.D. or graduate degree by Jan 1, 2022, or within one year after their date of appointment.
• Primary educational/professional expertise in dairy animals
• Professional priority for achieving excellence in dairy animal management and welfare research
• Strong interest in and desire to teach college-level courses
• Well-developed and effective oral and written communication skills
• Familiarity with U.S. animal agricultural practices

Qualifications (Preferred): The following attributes are highly desirable within potential candidates:
• Experience in one of the following disciplines: dairy science, animal science, animal welfare, ethical use of animals, or closely related field of study
• Experience in conducting research
• Experience and ability to teach in the core disciplines of Dairy or Animal Science at the college level
• Experience, contacts, and involvement in the dairy industry
• Strong interest in and ability to provide undergraduate students: 1) leadership and mentoring in research; 2) academic advising; and 3) advising of co-curricular activities such as student organizations.

Applicants are required to apply online. UWRF will not consider paper, emailed or faxed applications.

Applicants are required to provide:

• Curriculum Vitae (resume)
• Letter of interest specifying qualifications and experience (cover letter)
• A three-part statement, not to exceed 3 pages, covering
o your primary and secondary teaching interests, experience in classroom, and any evidence of successful teaching at the college level
o your dairy animal welfare experience, and
o your applied research and scholarly activity agenda. (other document)
• An unofficial transcript (official copies of transcripts will be required if hired).
• Provide the names, addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses of three references who can specifically comment on your teaching ability, research experience and professional preparation (references).

Inquiries should be addressed to:
Dr. Larry Baumann – Professor, Animal Science
Animal and Food Science
larry.baumann@uwrf.edu

Deadline to Apply: Initial review of applications will begin upon receipt. For consideration, applicants must submit all required materials by October 4, 2020. A criminal background check will be completed on final candidates.

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

Through its strategic plan, Pathway to Distinction, UW-River Falls will vigorously pursue three goals: Distinctive Academic Excellence; Global Education and Engagement; Innovation and Partnerships. In support of our first goal, UW-River Falls strives to be a leader in collaborative and undergraduate research; we therefore seek faculty members who have an interest in or experience with faculty-student collaborative research, scholarship, and creative activity.  The university is also interested in applicants who can support and extend our partnerships and initiatives in Asia (particularly China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and India) and in Latin America. The university's strategic focus on international education encourages faculty to develop courses/pedagogy that facilitate the transition of international inbound students and out-bound UWRF students and enhance our curricular and programmatic partnerships in these regions.
 

UW-River Falls Diversity Statement: We declare that diversity and inclusivity are core values. We dedicate ourselves to build a culture grounded in principles of equity, social justice, and excellence. We fundamentally affirm and embrace the multiple identities, values, belief systems, and cultural practices of all individuals and communities. We will address fundamental issues of bias, discrimination, and exclusion.

The University is committed to creating an educational community which enhances student awareness and appreciation of diverse ethnicities and cultures and identities which actively supports tolerance, civility and respect for the rights and sensibilities of each person without regard to economic status, ethnic background, political views, sexual orientation, or other personal characteristics or beliefs. Awareness of and sensitivity to diverse ethnic and cultural heritages are especially sought in applicants.

UWRF is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer subject to all state and federal regulations pertaining to non-discrimination based upon sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, color, national origin, religion, disability, marital status, age, arrest and/or conviction record, veteran status, and membership in the national guard, state defense force, or any other reserve component of the military forces of the United States or the State of Wisconsin. All persons, especially women, persons of color, people with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.  Employment is subject to federal laws that require verification of your identity and legal right to work in the United States as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act.

For a copy of the UWRF campus safety information, see http:www.uwrf.edu/Police/CampusRecordsCrimes.cfm or call University Police at (715) 425-3133 for a paper copy. This material includes crime statistics (Annual Security Report) and information on crime prevention, sexual assault, and drug/alcohol issues.