"Assistant Professor of Animal Health and Welfare"

Job Description

The Department of Fisheries, Animal and Veterinary Sciences (FAVS) in the College of the Environment and Life Sciences (CELS) at the University of Rhode Island (URI) invites applications for an academic year, tenure-track Assistant Professor position specializing in Animal Health and Welfare. Anticipated appointment date: August 2026. URI is the State's flagship land and sea grant research university located in Kingston, Rhode Island- a beautiful seaside community that is well connected by car, bus, and rail. URI is approximately 40 minutes from Providence, an hour from Boston and 3 hours from New York City.

The FAVS department consists of 14 full-time faculty members engaged in teaching and research that encompasses animal care, health, behavior, reproduction, and development. Our work also focuses on the sustainable development and management of fisheries and aquaculture farms, all within the dynamics of food systems. Our department has over 400 undergraduates majoring in either Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Fisheries and Aquaculture or Sustainable Food Production. Our faculty mentor graduate students enrolled in either the interdisciplinary Biological and Environmental Sciences graduate program or the Cell and Molecular Biology graduate program at the M.S. and Ph.D. levels, or the professional Master of Environmental Science and Management (MESM) program.

We seek individuals with an emerging record of impactful research, as well as demonstrated commitment to teaching, experiential learning, and mentorship at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The successful candidate will develop a recognized program of research excellence and scholarship in an area of animal health and/or welfare that provides potential for research synergies with existing disciplines and faculty on campus. The candidate is expected to contribute to undergraduate and graduate teaching and experiential learning in the field of animal and veterinary sciences, with preference toward those who have research and teaching expertise using livestock, companion animals, or zoo/exotic animals as models. Priority will be given to candidates who show a commitment to an inclusive culture and community through research, pedagogical practices, and public engagement, and who would contribute to URI's goals in these areas.

POSTING SUMMARY:

Teach undergraduate and graduate courses, advise undergraduate and graduate students, develop an externally funded, collaborative research program, and support public engagement.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Establish a vibrant research program supported by extramural funding in animal health and welfare, with an emphasis on using livestock, companion animals or zoo/exotic animals as models. The successful candidate will focus on one or more of the following areas of interest: 1) disease emergence and transmission including zoonotic diseases, 2) promoting animal physical, psychological and behavioral well-being in production, laboratory and/or companion animal settings, 3) promoting animal health through nutrition and disease management strategies across life stages and among species of relevance.
• Develop a sustained record of publication in peer-reviewed journals.
• Implement inclusive, evidence-based teaching and learning approaches to ensure the academic success of a diverse student population. Teach undergraduate courses in an animal health/welfare related area and contribute to graduate-level instruction in the candidate's area of expertise that will enhance graduate degree programs in FAVS and CELS.
• Provide advising, training, and research mentorship to undergraduate and graduate students.
• Engage in outreach and service activities and governance within the Department, College, University, and broader scholarly community.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Perform other duties as required.

LICENSES, TOOLS, AND EQUIPMENT:

Personal computers, printer, word processing, database management, and spreadsheet software.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

This position is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Currently have, or will have in hand at time of appointment by Summer 2026, a Ph.D. in animal or veterinary science or other closely related fields.
2. A record of scholarly achievement as evidenced by (a) publications related to animal health and welfare in peer-reviewed journals, book chapters, or books, and (b) presentations at scientific meetings.
3. Ability to teach animal and veterinary sciences courses at the undergraduate and/or graduate level.
4. Ability to work with members that support an inclusive culture and community.
5. Proficiency in oral communication skills in English.
6. Proficiency in written communication skills in English.
7. Commitment to participate in professional service and outreach as shown by participation in committees, organizations, or other activities.

Preferred qualifications for this position (strongest consideration will be given to candidates who can demonstrate this additional expertise and experience):

• One to three years of postdoctoral training experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in using innovative, contemporary quantitative methods to solve problems in animal health and welfare.
• Demonstrated active participation in collaborative research.
• Demonstrated success in obtaining funding through competitive grant programs (including graduate or postdoctoral fellowships and grants).
• Experience as the lead instructor of animal health and welfare courses at the undergraduate and/or graduate level.
• Evidence of mentoring undergraduate and/or graduate students.
• Record of scholarly achievement as shown by publications, honors, and/or awards.
• Expertise making research findings accessible to a broad audience through outreach, social media, and other mixed media outlets.
• Knowledge of and/or experience with community-based organizations or Cooperative Extension programs.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please attach the following 4 (PDF) documents to your online Faculty Employment Application:

• (#1) Cover letter describing qualifications for the position (as one complete document).
• (#2) Curriculum Vitae, including information pertaining to the required and preferred qualifications for this position (as one complete document).
• (#3) Statement of research interests and future research plans (Max length, 2-pages) as one complete document.
• (#4) Statement of teaching philosophy and interests (Max length, 2-pages) as one complete document.

Note: References will be upon request by the search committee.

To apply, visit https://jobs.uri.edu/postings/15961