Department Head and Professor, Animal Science

INTRODUCTION

The Department of Animal Science at the University of Connecticut in Storrs (UConn) within the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR) invites applications for the position of Department Head with an appointment as Associate or Full Professor. We are seeking an inspirational, dynamic, and visionary individual to provide sound leadership for a highly ranked and productive department in alignment with the strategic plans for the College and the University. This is a full-time, 9-month position with a 10th month of service in this administrative capacity. The Department Head serves as an advocate and leader for animal science at UConn and with external constituents. Active participation in teaching, research, or extension programs is expected. The successful candidate will have an outstanding record of professional accomplishments commensurate with appointment at the rank of Associate or Full Professor, with the opportunity for tenure at hire.

The Department of Animal Science is one of eight academic departments within the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources (CAHNR). CAHNR is the oldest college at UConn, setting the foundation for the University. The goal of the Department is to provide a first-class, comprehensive program to meet the tripartite missions of teaching, research, and extension in animal science and husbandry. The Department includes 20 tenured, tenure-track, and teaching faculty and 21 staff members. The diverse expertise of the faculty encompasses equine science, food science and microbiology, growth physiology, genetics and genomics, meat science and muscle biology, poultry and livestock production, reproductive biology, and biotechnology. The Department maintains research and teaching farms (beef cattle, sheep, poultry, swine, horses, and a state-of-the-art dairy facility) on the Storrs campus. The Department also manages a commercial creamery, a meat lab, and forage crops. The University of Connecticut Animal Care facilities, including the Animal Science Farm Units, are AAALAC accredited.

Undergraduate and graduate programs balance the development of breadth of knowledge, core technical and professional skills, and the global and social literacy needed upon graduation. The undergraduate curricula are strengthened through hands-on learning practices and established Honors, internship, and undergraduate research programs. Currently, the Department has approximately 400+ undergraduate majors pursuing AAS and BS degrees and 35+ graduate students pursuing MS and Ph.D. degrees. For more information, see http://animalscience.uconn.edu .

Founded in 1881, UConn is a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution and member of the Space Grant Consortium. It is the state’s flagship institution of higher education and includes a main campus in Storrs, CT, four regional campuses throughout the state, and 13 Schools and Colleges, including a Law School in Hartford, and Medical and Dental Schools at the UConn Health campus in Farmington. The University has approximately 10,000 faculty and staff and 32,000 students, including nearly 24,000 undergraduates and over 8,000 graduate and professional students. UConn is a Carnegie Foundation R1 (highest research activity) institution, among the top 25 public universities in the nation. Through research, teaching, service, and outreach, UConn embraces diversity and cultivates leadership, integrity, and engaged citizenship in its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. UConn promotes the health and well-being of citizens by enhancing the social, economic, cultural, and natural environments of the state and beyond. The University serves as a beacon of academic and research excellence as well as a center for innovation and social service to communities. UConn is a leader in many scholarly, research, and innovation areas. Today, the path forward includes exciting opportunities and notable challenges. Record numbers of undergraduate applications and support for student success have enabled the University to become extraordinarily selective.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

As the departmental administrative officer, the Head reports directly to the Dean. Duties include:

• Support and promote the excellence of our multi-faceted teaching, research, extension, and service activities.
• Manage administrative responsibilities for academic, personnel, and fiscal affairs and provide oversight of physical facilities including farms working closely with the farm management.
• Teach a minimum of one undergraduate course and participate in research and/or extension programs.
• Represent and promote the Department within the College, the University, and the state, as well as at the national and international levels.
• Promote collegiality and enhance a multicultural, diverse and inclusive community of students, faculty, and staff in the Department.
• Acquire and maintain current knowledge of all relevant campus, college, and union policies and procedures, and develop appropriate policies as required.
• Actively engage in development on behalf of the Department in collaboration with the College’s Director of Development.
• Mentor and support the unionized faculty, staff, and graduate students in academic and professional endeavors.
• Serve as a team-builder to encourage interactions among faculty within the Department and among departments to achieve individual and departmental goals.
• Inspire, initiate, and support entrepreneurial missions.
• Develop and supervise effective support staff and structure.
• Perform other responsibilities as related to the Department Head's administrative duties.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Ph.D. in animal science or a closely related discipline, D.V.M., or equivalent.
• Demonstrated excellence in scholarship and professional activities related to teaching, research, and/or extension that will qualify the individual to be tenured at the rank of Associate or Full Professor in the Department of Animal Science.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills appropriate to sustaining a mutually respectful environment and delivering quality academic programs within an inclusive work environment.
• Strong commitment to enhancing the diversity and inclusion of students, faculty, and staff.
• Demonstrated leadership in developing departmental programs, coordinating capital improvements, or stimulating external funding from both public and private sources.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Evidence of a nationally and internationally recognized program of scholarship in research, teaching, or extension.
• Demonstrated engagement and rapport with stakeholders, industry, and/or donors.
• Prior administrative experience suited to leadership of an academic department engaged in teaching, research, extension, and service activities at a major Land Grant University.
• Demonstrated ability to encourage consensus while coming to and executing decisions in a collegial atmosphere.
• Experience recruiting highly qualified and diverse graduate and undergraduate students, faculty, and staff, including those who are traditionally underrepresented in Animal Science and related fields.
• Experience supervising a diverse set of animal units, crop units, animal products processing facilities, or related facilities.
• Full professorship or equivalence in Animal Science or a closely related discipline.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time, 9-month position with a 10th month of service in this administrative capacity. Salary is competitive and commensurate with the applicant’s experience. The University provides an extensive benefits package, which includes retirement and health insurance coverage. A start date of August 23, 2024 is anticipated. Applicants must meet University requirements for appointment at the rank of Associate or Full Professor, with tenure.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY

Please apply online to Academic Jobs Online https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/25016 and submit the following application materials:

• A cover letter that addresses how your experience meets the minimum and preferred qualifications (maximum of two pages).
• Curriculum vitae that includes a list of publications, grants received, and records of teaching, extension, and/or service.
• Leadership statement summarizing how you will provide innovative leadership for the CAHNR Department of Animal Science and how you will contribute to the Department’s success (maximum of two pages).
• Statement on contributions to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice that addresses prior experience, current interests/activities, and future goals to promote an environment that fosters diversity, equity, and inclusion (maximum of two pages).
• Names and contact information for at least three references. Finalists will be notified prior to contacting references.

Review of applications will begin on September 25, 2023, and will continue until a successful candidate is selected. Inquiries should be sent by email to the Search Committee Chair, Dr. Mary Anne Amalaradjou ([email protected] ) with a copy to Ms. Virginia White ([email protected] ).

All UConn employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.

All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.

The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce.  The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner.  This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all.  We strongly respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same.  All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

 The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO Employer.