Chair of the Department of Animal Biosciences

Department Overview

The Department of Animal Biosciences is a multidisciplinary academic unit with faculty in a range of fields, including animal physiology, genetics, behaviour and welfare, nutrition, and management. Faculty in the Department have links across campus, including veterinary medicine, computer science, engineering, human health and nutritional sciences, biological sciences, food, agricultural and resource economics, and food science, as well as with producer organizations and members of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. The Department has dynamic undergraduate programs in Agriculture and Animal Biology, and its well-established MSc and PhD programs, along with a new coursebased Master of Animal Biosciences program, attract students worldwide and are supported by extensive research funding and industry connections. Descriptions of the Department, its programs, and faculty profiles are available at: https://animalbiosciences.uoguelph.ca/. The Department values diversity, inclusion and wellness, and is taking actions to support these values.

Role and Responsibilities

The Chair of the Department is responsible for providing strategic, academic, and administrative leadership to ensure the orderly, effective, efficient, sustainable and collegial operation of the Department. Working in consultation with faculty members, the Chair guides and supports individuals in fulfilling their assigned responsibilities; leads initiatives to enhance academic programs and scholarly contributions; and strengthens relationships with industry, government, and other partners. The Chair is also responsible for advancing the fiscal sustainability of the Department, including the development and implementation of Departmental strategies, budget plans, revenue targets, and tactics to achieve those targets. In this role, the Chair is expected to work closely with the OAC Dean’s office and to collaborate with academic unit heads/directors across OAC. The appointment is for a five-year term, with a possibility of renewal for a second five-year term.

Required Qualifications

The preferred candidate will be a successful educator and leader who holds tenure at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor, has a strong record of research and scholarly accomplishments, substantive experience in and a dedication to teaching and student success, and a demonstrated track record in academic leadership and administration. The Chair will be required to offer vision and leadership, demonstrate innovative thinking, and exhibit strong organizational, interpersonal and communication skills. Experience in human and financial resource management and the ability to engage faculty, staff, and students in developing and executing new initiatives are required. The Chair will have a demonstrated ability to interact effectively with industry, government agencies, and alumni, including securing funding and support for scholarly programs. The successful candidate will be expected to network, communicate, and facilitate the advancement of the Department, OAC, and the University.