"Assistant Professor: Animal Genetics and Breeding"

Job Details

About the Job

FLSA Status: Exempt

Term: 9-month, tenure-track Reports to: Department Head

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 three (3) years of the appointment to help establish research and Extension programs.

Location: College/Admin Unit: College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences Campus, St. Paul Campus

This position is not eligible for H1B sponsorship.

Assistant Professor, tenure-track (9-month) position with Teaching (50%) and Research (50%) responsibilities involving dairy and animal genetics. The individual in this position will help to provide leadership in animal breeding, genetics, and applied animal production courses. Courses this position may be assigned include Animal Breeding, Introduction to Animal Science (including College-In-Schools oversight), Animal Handling, Advanced Dairy Cattle Breeding, Genetics, or graduate level courses in genetics, genomics, or mathematical genetics. The successful candidate will develop an externally funded research program in an area of dairy and animal genetics. Potential areas for discovery include, but are not limited to, enhanced tools for genetic or genomic selection, phenotyping methods for novel genetic traits, novel strategies for propagation of desirable complex traits, application of underlying genetic theory, and applications of high-throughput and whole-genome sequencing. Ideally, overall aims of research will contribute to understanding feed or production efficiency, climate resiliency, reduced environmental footprint, enhanced nutritional value, food safety, animal health and wellbeing, or other factors contributing to sustainability or human, animal, plant and environmental health (One Health). 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 faculty position will be housed at UMN St. Paul campus. The successful candidate is expected to develop independent, yet collaborative, research and teaching programs and to recruit and mentor graduate students, including those from diverse backgrounds. Collaboration among research, teaching, and Extension faculty and with colleagues in other disciplines is expected.

Responsibilities

The UMN Department of Animal Science is seeking applicants with the ability to provide leadership and collaboration in instruction and establish and maintain an innovative, independent yet collaborative, and extramurally funded research program; and contribute to the public service mission of the University.

Teaching: 50%

• Establish a high-quality teaching program in dairy and animal breeding, genetics, and applied animal management
• Develop a successful graduate student training program, including teaching in area of expertise
• Provide academic mentoring for graduate and undergraduate students
• Contribute to student success through recruitment and retention activities, and student experiences and organizations
• Participate in professional development opportunities supporting teaching and advising
• Provide leadership in documenting and sharing innovations in teaching and learning

Research: 50%

• Conduct innovative research related to dairy and animal breeding and genetics
• Obtain internal and extramural funding, support graduate student research, publish in relevant refereed journals, and achieve national and international recognition
• Contribute to research programs in dairy and animal production systems within the department and interdisciplinary collaboration with faculty across the UMN and beyond

The Dairy and Livestock Industry

Minnesota’s dairy industry in 2023 ranked 7th for milk cow inventory with 450,000 cows, 7th for milk production 10.5B lbs, and 6th for cheese production 817M lbs. Further, MN ranks 6th for milk goat inventory at 14,000 head. Among other livestock species, MN ranks 1st in Turkeys raised, 2nd in all hogs and pigs inventory, commercial hog slaughter, and value of hogs on farms; 3rd in pig crop, 4th in corn silage production 6th in commercial red meat production, 9th in steers at or over 500 lbs; and 8th in all cattle and calves on feed. The Twin Cities is home to many businesses connected to food production, including Cargill, Land O’Lakes, Zinpro, Quali-Tech, Milk Specialties, Topigs Norswin USA, Recombinetics/Trans Ova, and many others. For more information, see: https://www.nass.usda.gov/Quick_Stats/Ag_Overview/stateOverview.php?state=MINNESOTA.

Qualifications

Required

• Ph.D. (or equivalent) in Dairy or Animal Science or Genetics with emphasis on genetic improvement of dairy or domestic animals 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 teaching and advising students
• Demonstrated strong commitment to the University’s goal of creating an inclusive campus climate

Preferred

• Background in providing oversight to research in quantitative genetics, genomics, or application of genetic theory
• Evidence of obtaining extramural grant funding
• Experience in graduate student advising and mentoring
• Experience and ability to work with research and teaching teams in an interdisciplinary, diverse, and multicultural environment
• Evidence of communication of research results to external audiences
• Evidence of utilization of innovative teaching methods and technology

About the Department

The College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) is composed of 13 academic departments, 10 research and outreach centers across Minnesota, plus the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, the Bell Museum, and dozens of interdisciplinary centers that span the college, the university, and the globe.

CFANS offers thirteen undergraduate majors and thirteen graduate 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.

At CFANS, we aim to inspire minds, nourish people, and enhance the natural environment, and we believe that is only possible if everyone feels seen, heard and respected. Our college embraces inclusivity and prioritizes purpose-driven scientific discovery in order for us to build a better tomorrow, together. We align with the University of Minnesota in providing equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

The Department of Animal Science (http://www.ansci.umn.edu) in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resources Sciences (CFANS) (http://www.cfans.umn.edu/) is located on UMN’s scenic St. Paul campus. The Animal Science major, with an enrollment of about 400 students, is divided into five areas of emphasis: Business/Industry, Companion Animal, Equine, Production, and Pre-Veterinary Medicine/Science. Each emphasis offers a unique combination of classes to prepare students for future careers in business, production management, companion animal, equine, veterinary medicine or graduate school. Within an emphasis area, students can also specialize in a species, such as beef, companion animal, dairy, equine, poultry, swine or sheep, or develop a set of elective classes unique to their animal interests. Undergraduate Students associated with the Animal Sciences major have access to student organizations such as the Gopher Dairy Club, Block and Bridle, Pre-veterinary Science Club and Minnesota Royal, as well as opportunities to participate on highly successful Dairy Cattle and General Livestock Judging, Dairy Challenge and Animal Welfare Assessment Teams.

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. Facilities available to support research include the 90-cow Holstein dairy herd on the St. Paul Campus, 400-head heifer development facilities at the Southern Research and Outreach Center (Waseca, MN), and 250 cow pasture-based conventional and organic herd featuring pure and crossbred dairy cattle at West Central Research and Outreach Center (Morris, MN). Large scale phenotype and genotype data support may utilize the GEMS Informatics platform, which is co-sponsored by CFANS and UMN Research Computing, including the UMN Supercomputing Institute.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $90,000 - $97,000 annually; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume or CV.

This position will remain open until filled.

Application Review will start on February 20, 2026.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.