Department Head, Animal Sciences

North Dakota State University invites inquiries, nominations and applications for the position of Head of the Department of Animal Sciences. For full details about the position and to submit an application, visit https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/head-animal-sciences 

The Position and Department

The Head is responsible for dynamic statewide and national leadership to foster high-quality and effective research, teaching, and extension activities in Animal Sciences.  This nationally recognized department is composed of 27 full-time faculty with 35 support personnel.  The department offers undergraduate majors in animal science, veterinary technology, and equine science, with a current enrollment of 330 undergraduate students.  Highly productive and dedicated faculty have developed strong research programs in diverse areas ranging from animal production systems to molecular biology.  Core research areas include reproductive physiology, ruminant nutrition, meat science, and genetics, with research faculty who advise 26 graduate students at the M.S. and Ph.D. levels.  Facilities include well-equipped laboratories and livestock research and teaching units.  Faculty work collaboratively with scientists and extension personnel across the state, nation, and world to undertake research and disseminate knowledge relating to animal agriculture.  Research, teaching, and extension programs are internationally recognized and serve a variety of stakeholders.

The University and Community

North Dakota State University is distinctive as a student focused, land-grant, research university. Our main campus is located in Fargo, ND with Extension Service and Research Experiment Station locations across the entire state. NDSU has been listed in the Top 100 public research universities in the United States for research and development in several areas, including: agricultural sciences; business management and business; communications; materials science; natural resources and conservation science; social sciences; sociology, demography, and population studies; and visual and performing arts.

NDSU is an exciting place to work offering a stimulating and diverse environment richly populated with people pursuing life-long learning and personal growth. Employees often attend on-campus cultural events, lectures, athletic events and enjoy walks through our beautiful campus.

NDSU employs over 6,000 full-time and part-time employees across the state, making it the second largest employer in the community. We’re located on the eastern edge of North Dakota in Fargo, the state’s largest city. Together with its sister city, Moorhead, Minnesota, directly across the Red River, Fargo forms one of the largest metropolitan centers between Minneapolis and Seattle. Fargo is a growing hub for economic development that provides ample job opportunities. Livability.com recently ranked Fargo at #8 for best places to live overall.

Minimum Qualifications

• An earned doctorate or other terminal degree in Animal Sciences or closely related field with a proven record of excellence in scholarly activities with the credentials appropriate for appointment at the rank of Full Professor and tenure in the Department.
• Recognition as an innovative leader in a discipline related to the mission of the Department of Animal Sciences.
• In-depth understanding and contemporary vision of the land-grant mission with regard to research, teaching, and extension.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work closely with a diverse set of constituents and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusion and to the promotion of equal opportunity, diversity, and affirmative action.
• Ability to manage large and complex budgets.
• Ability to effectively manage personnel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated success in fiscal and personnel management.
• Exemplary record of professional achievement.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain relationships with stakeholders.
• Demonstrated success in the area of fundraising and philanthropy.
• Demonstrated ability to garner extramural grant support.
• Demonstrated commitment to the land grant mission