"Assistant Professor - Ruminant Nutrition"

Assistant Professor - Ruminant Nutrition

THE OPPORTUNITY

Washington State University (WSU) Department of Animal Sciences seeks to hire an Assistant Professor starting May 16, 2026. The appointee will be responsible for teaching at the undergraduate and graduate level (45%) and maintaining a high-quality research program (55%). The primary teaching responsibility is within the undergraduate program with an emphasis in ruminant nutrition and livestock (Beef/Dairy) management as well as courses matching the expertise of the candidate. The development and delivery of graduate level courses in the candidate's area of expertise and contribution to other courses as requested is also expected. In addition, the candidate is expected to serve the department as advisor of a related student club and/or cooperative. The area of research will be focused on addressing critical issues in ruminant nutrition. As a tenure-track faculty member in the Department of Animal Sciences, the successful candidate will publish research and the scholarship of teaching in refereed journals, secure extramural funding, and mentor and advise graduate students. Departmental and college service are expected to develop over time. The successful candidate must have a commitment to the recruitment, retention, development, and enrichment of faculty, staff and student community.

Departmental research resources include the Knott Dairy Center, Feed Plant, Beef Center/Cattle Feeding Laboratory/feedlot, Cougar Quality Meats, a laboratory animal facility, and modern laboratory and teaching space. In addition, the WSU School of Food Science provides complementary expertise in dairy fermentation, processing, nutrition (health benefits of dairy products), and sensory science. These strengths, combined with the WSU Creamery-home to the world-famous Cougar Gold cheese, offer unique opportunities for collaborative research and teaching. Strong relationships with the livestock producer organizations exist and these relationships present opportunities for collaboration in research, teaching and outreach. There are also exciting interdisciplinary research and teaching opportunities with many departments and centers across the WSU system.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties are the development and maintenance of a strong productive teaching and research program. The successful candidate will establish programs that contribute to their research field and the scholarship of teaching through attracting extramural funding, training graduate students, and publishing peer-reviewed and other publications. The candidate will teach undergraduates in courses related to animal sciences including Feeds and Feeding, Livestock (Dairy/Beef) Management, Fermentation Science and at the graduate level in their area of expertise. Additionally, service to the Department, College and University is expected.

This is a 9-month Academic Year, tenure-track position. This position may be eligible for up to 2 months' summer salary, conditional on successful performance and funding. The successful candidate will be a faculty member in the Department of Animal Sciences and will report to the Chair of Animal Sciences.

Required Qualifications:

• A doctoral degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) in animal/ruminant nutrition with a strong record of publication and academic accomplishment appropriate to their professional level.
• Demonstrated knowledge, experience, and interest in ruminant nutrition, livestock management, and the livestock industry.
• Experience teaching animal science courses and a strong desire to teach undergraduate students.
• Possess hands-on expertise in livestock systems.
• Demonstrated potential to establish and maintain an externally funded teaching and research program, with a record of peer-reviewed publications.
• Excellent verbal, written, and computer communication skills.
• Experience working successfully in a team environment.
• Commitment to the recruitment, retention, development, and enrichment of a diverse faculty, staff, and student community.

Preferred Qualifications:

• At least one year of postdoctoral training or equivalent professional experience.
• Demonstrated experience teaching livestock-related courses and conducting research involving livestock.
• Proven expertise in teaching foundational animal science courses, with a demonstrated desire to teach undergraduate students.
• A record of extramurally funded research or teaching activities that complement existing Department, College, and University strengths.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in developing and delivering undergraduate and graduate-level courses.
• Demonstrated success in mentoring graduate students.

THE DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SCIENCES:

The Department of Animal Sciences at WSU offers the only four-year Animal Sciences degree in the state of Washington. Research in Animal Sciences is focused on mission-oriented and fundamental research in the areas of sustainable resources for society and sustaining and improving animal and human health. These research foci include environmental sustainability, genomics and genetics, muscle biology, nutrition, reproductive biology and physiology. Research is conducted in new state of the art research facilities that facilitate undergraduate and graduate student research projects. Undergraduate and graduate students are the heart of our department, and we are committed to preparing them for success in diverse career paths including veterinary school, agricultural industries or academic positions in the Animal Sciences fields.

For more information on the Department of Animal Sciences, visit: https://ansci.wsu.edu

THE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL, HUMAN, AND NATURAL RESOURCE SCIENCES:

The College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS) at Washington State University is an expansive and diverse college that includes 13 academic units, three extension program units, four research and extension centers distributed across the state, 13 subject matter centers, and one tribal and 39 county extension offices. CAHNRS fosters disciplines that serve at the interface of scientific discovery and its application to the advancement of society and improvement of the human experience. Our mission is to provide global leadership in discovering, accessing, and disseminating knowledge that contributes to producing a safe, abundant food and fiber supply; promotes the well-being of individuals, families, and communities; enhances sustainability of agricultural and economic systems; and promotes stewardship of natural resources and ecological systems. CAHNRS personnel embrace the opportunity to fulfill the university's land-grant mission by making groundbreaking research discoveries, by utilizing innovative approaches to teaching and learning, and by delivering relevant, progressive extension programs that synergistically generate outcomes that enhance the quality of life for the citizens of Washington State, as well as for people around the globe. For more information, visit http://cahnrs.wsu.edu.

WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY:

Founded in 1890, Washington State University is a comprehensive land-grant university with teaching, research, and extension missions, and one of two research universities in Washington State. WSU is organized into 11 academic colleges, the Honors College, and the Graduate School. It has an enrollment of more than 31,000 undergraduate and graduate students on 5 campuses (Pullman, Spokane, Tri-Cities, Vancouver, and Everett) with approximately 21,000 students located on the main campus in Pullman, WA. WSU ranks among the top 60 public research universities and is a Carnegie I, Doctoral/Research Extensive University. WSU strongly values diversity among its faculty, staff, and students, and seeks to ensure a welcoming community for all.

Further information about WSU can be found at: www.wsu.edu and https://wsu.edu/about/facts.

SALARY:

9-Month Base Salary: $75,000.00 - $77,727.00
Potential Summer Salary: $8,333.33 - $8,636.00 per month

In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate's current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Application Instructions:

Applicants must upload the following required documents to their online application. Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications and additional requirements. Documents may be submitted as one file or separate files. Applicants are encouraged to upload as a PDF, if possible.

Required Documents:

• Curriculum Vitae;
• Letter of application that includes a statement of the applicant's training, experiences, and qualifications including research interests and teaching philosophies.

For more information or to express interest please contact Dr. Kristen Johnson, Search Committee Chair, Department of Animal Sciences; johnsoka@wsu.edu.