Assistant or Associate Professor - Dairy Science

Mississippi State University; Starkville (MS); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Mississippi State University in Starkville, MS invites applications for an Assistant or Associate Professor in the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences. The 12-month tenure-track position emphasizes dairy science with 20% teaching, 40% research, and 40% extension responsibilities.

The successful candidate will pursue extramural funding, lead dairy science research, supervise graduate students, and contribute to teaching and statewide outreach programs at MSU's research facilities.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in animal science, dairy science, or closely related field with emphasis in dairy science.
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
• ABD or degree pending considered (all but Dissertation).

Responsibilities

• Pursue extramural funds to support programmatic activities and publish results in peer reviewed journals.
• Develop and implement research projects and supervise graduate students.
• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses and advise students.
• Engage in public outreach and collaborate with internal and external partners.

Education

Ph.D. in animal science / dairy science

Job description

Position Function:

The Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences is currently seeking anAssistant or Associate Professor for a 12-month tenure track (20%teaching, 40% research, 40% Extension) position with an emphasis indairy science.

Salary Grade

UC

Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and ServiceMaintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salarygrade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges aredetermined by the hiring department.

Department Profile:

The Animal and Dairy Sciences Department currently housesapproximately 625 undergraduate students, 40 graduate students, and26 faculty, both on the main campus and at Research and ExtensionCenters throughout Mississippi. The Department offers a Bachelor ofScience degree with concentrations in Pre-Vet/Science, Pre-Vet MedTech, Production Management, Business and Industry and newlyapproved Food Science. Master of Science, Master of Agriculture,and Ph.D. degrees are offered in Animal and Dairy Sciences throughthe College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The Departmentconducts teaching, research, and extension activities on the 1,200acre H.H. Leveck Animal Research Center and 1,200 acre BeardenResearch Dairy. The Department’s 15,000 sq. ft. Meat Science andMuscle Biology Laboratory was completed in 2018 and houses state ofthe art equipment to harvest and fabricate carcasses and processinto wholesale and retail cuts. The new Animal and Dairy Sciencesbuilding opened in 2019. This 38,000 square foot facility housesthree teaching areas including a teaching laboratory and distanceeducation equipped classrooms as well as research laboratories andanimal rooms for teaching and research needs. The South Farm ishome to our new Livestock Evaluation Laboratory. Our research andteaching herds include dairy, beef, horses, sheep, goats, rabbitsand swine on the Mississippi State University main campus.

Area of Specialization:

Dairy Science

Anticipated Appointment Date:

January 1, 2027.

Tenure Track Status:

Yes.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The candidate must pursue extramural funds to support programmaticactivities and publish results in peer reviewed journals. Conductand lead research in Dairy Science as well as be responsible fordeveloping and implementing research projects and supervisinggraduate students. Develop scholarly publications and presentationsand be active in the academic community by presenting papers andlectures at conferences and seminars, participate in fundingreviews and grant proposals, and provide expert advice and engagein public outreach thereby demonstrating their ability tocommunicate effectively and collaborate with colleagues internallyand externally to Mississippi State University. Teachingresponsibilities will be determined based on departmental needs andinclude undergraduate and graduate courses. The successfulcandidate should be able to effectively advise undergraduatestudents and train graduate students. A collaborative and collegialapproach with faculty and staff in the department, college, anduniversity and with external partners and stakeholders isessential. Candidates must demonstrate a commitment to servicethrough activities such as participation on department, college,and university committees and via service to appropriateprofessional associations. The successful candidate must be able tosupport the dairy industry in the state and maintain relevant dairyadult and youth programs in the state, mostly consisting of smallfarms and niche dairies with specialty product production. Thedesired candidate should be able to support a wide variety ofproduction methods and help farmers with animal care and welfare,production decisions, current trends and technologies applicable toa small dairy industry. In addition, the Bearden Dairy is a greateducation center for outside groups. It is imperative that wemaintain an outreach to outside entities for adult and youtheducational programs hosted at the Dairy. There is also anexpectation for assisting with the state 4-H youth educationcontests.

Minimum Qualifications:

An earned Ph.D. in animal science, dairy science, or closelyrelated field with an emphasis in dairy science. Candidates musthave excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communicationskills.

ABDs or degree pending considered (all but DISS):

Yes.

Preferred Qualifications:

Candidates with a demonstrated track record of grantsmanship andpublication in peer-reviewed journals are preferred. Experiencemanaging student research projects, training students in research,conducting extension programming and innovative classroominstruction are desired. Preference will be given to those withdemonstrated success in evidenced in cross disciplinecollaborations and experience working with stakeholder and end-usergroups.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Candidates must have excellent written, oral, and interpersonalcommunication skills and the ability to foster a collaborative andcollegial atmosphere.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

The majority of the work is performed in a classroom or labenvironment. Some duties include hands on instruction, which couldinvolve moderate exposure to extreme temperatures, dirt, dust,unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises.

Screening Date:

September 10, 2026, until filled.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution.Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs oractivities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy,religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation,genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other statusto the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equalopportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Officeof Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O.6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, [phone].

What do I do if I need an accommodation?

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have adisability and would like to request an accommodation in order toapply for a position with Mississippi State University, pleasecontact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: [phone] or [e-mail] .

If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact theDepartment of Human Resources Management at [phone] or [e-mail] . Uponrequest, sections of this job listing are available in large print,and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.