"Meat Scientist"

Meat Scientist

The Department of Animal Sciences within the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resources Sciences (CAHNRS) at Washington State University (WSU) is seeking a dynamic, motivated, and problem-solving teacher and leader to join an extraordinary team of scientists, educators, and extension experts. As an integral part of this team, we are looking to fill a 9-month, tenure-track (assistant professor rank) teaching and research position to begin December 1, 2025 (or as negotiated), at the WSU Pullman campus. The successful applicant will develop a nationally recognized and regionally relevant program focused on Meat Science (Beef).

As an integral member of our undergraduate and graduate student teaching faculty, the individual will develop the curricula and serve as the primary instructor for ANIM SC 274 Beef Feedlot Systems (2 credits), ANIM SCI 260 Live Animal and Carcass Evaluation (3 credits), ANIM SCI 360 Meat Science (3-6 credits, Lecture and Lab), ANIM SCI 460 Advanced Meat Science (3 credits offered in alternate years, senior and graduate level), ANIM SC 474 Beef Cattle Production (3 credits, Capstone), and other Beef/Meats classes, as appropriate. You will have access to an on-campus, well-equipped USDA-inspected Meats Lab for both research and teaching. Further, the selected individual will develop a rigorous, externally funded research program focused on an industry relevant Meat Science/Beef topic. This may include; pre-harvest production, meat quality, food safety, meat evaluation, and/or fabrication and butchery. This person will perform research relevant to Washington Cattle Feeders Association, Washington Cattlemen's Association, Washington CattleWomen's Association, commercial livestock producers, meat packing, meat processing, retail, food-service companies, and pertinent commodity groups.

Washington State has a vibrant beef cattle industry and ranks among the top in the U.S. in total beef cattle harvested. This position directly serves the needs of the Beef and meat industries in Washington State. Washington State's agriculture production is as diverse and vast as the state's growing regions, which consist of the Pacific Ocean coast; the high rainfall west coast including rainforest and islands; the Cascade Mountain range; the high desert of Central Washington; and the rolling hills of dry-land farms in Eastern Washington. These diverse climates, rich soils, and access to irrigation support the production of over 300 crops, including animal agriculture, specialty crops, row crop production, and forestry. Livestock production is a major part of Washington State agriculture, with large numbers of beef and dairy cattle, major beef feedlots, beef and milk processing plants, marketing cooperatives, and access to high-value export and niche markets. The annual farm gate value of livestock and livestock production in Washington is approximately $2.65 billion. In addition to production of traditional livestock and poultry, Washington State also has an economically important aquaculture industry involving fish, shellfish, and aquatic plant products.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The individual will have a familiarity with multi-cultural and different socioeconomic audiences, an interest in working with people from diverse backgrounds, and a commitment to the principles of diversity. The research program should address issues facing the beef industry, including strategically adapting improvements that enhance the sustainability of meat production. The individual will establish an independently-funded, integrated research program and modern and effective teaching curriculum in meat science and will mentor graduate students. The individual will complement and extend current initiatives and strengthen an already accomplished faculty in the Department of Animal Sciences. Faculty colleagues perform research focused on improving the quality of animal food products; enhancing environmental compatibility of animal agriculture; and increasing the economic profitability of food animal production systems. This position will serve a critical need for the Department of Animal Sciences to maintain excellence in: meat and muscle biology; livestock production; livestock production efficiency; student and stakeholder engagement; and safety, quality, and nutritional value of meat products.

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:

• PhD in Animal Science, Meat Science, or Food Science or related field by the time of hire.
• Knowledge of beef production, carcass grading, fabrication, and livestock and meat evaluation.
• Knowledge of pre-and post-harvest attributes of skeletal muscle and adipose tissue as they relate to meat quality, yield, grade, and marketability.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills and ability to work with diverse audiences in group and one-on-one settings.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Documented teaching experience.
• Demonstrated excellence in program planning, implementation, and evaluation.
• Evidence of ability to obtain external funds to support an applied research program.
• Post-doctoral or industry experience.
• Demonstration of successful team performance and work with diverse stakeholders.

PROFESSIONAL EXPECTATIONS:

Teaching at WSU focuses on undergraduate, graduate, and professional student instruction and is both formal and informal in nature. Teaching activities include, but are not limited to, instruction, which includes lower-division courses, upper-division courses, graduate courses, seminars, and classroom and distance education courses. Teaching activities also include mentoring, including face-to-face guidance of undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and others in such areas as special projects, senior projects, theses, and dissertation research. Guiding student clubs may also involve mentoring. Educational outreach in areas in which a faculty member is expert, including Extension, external instructional activities in K-12 schools, other colleges and universities, presentation of public lectures, and lecturing at significant workshops or professional schools is also considered teaching.

Evaluation of teaching is a major consideration in annual review and tenure and promotion processes. Both quality and quantity of instructional activities are evaluated. Quantity of instruction will include, but not be limited to, consideration of class sizes, numbers of courses, course levels, whether courses require unusual levels of preparation, and development of new courses. Faculty will have a demonstrated record of connecting teaching practices and course design to program-level goals and learning outcomes, participating in routine activities that monitor program and curricular effectiveness through the assessment of learning outcomes, and a willingness to adjust teaching or course design based on the results of those activities. There is overlap among scholarship, teaching, and service activities. Faculty members who obtain research grants that support and thereby make possible scholarly and creative activities of students at all levels will be recognized for contributing to teaching and learning.