Posting Details
Job Title Department Chair in Animal and Food Sciences Requisition Number FE03091 Working Title AFS Department Chair Department Name 81070:ANIMAL AND FOOD SCIENCES Work Location Lexington, KY Type of Position Faculty Position Time Status Full-Time Tenure Track Status Tenure Track Required Education Ph.D. (or equivalent degree) in Animal/Dairy/Poultry/Equine/Food Sciences or a closely related discipline appropriate for faculty appointment in Animal & Food Sciences at the Professor rank in a tenure-eligible title series. Required Related Experience The demonstration of national/international recognition of excellence in instruction, research, and/or extension is required. Demonstration of leadership in developing departmental programs, working as part of a team on capital improvement projects, and stimulating extramural funding and philanthropic investments directly and through faculty activity is expected. Strong interpersonal and communication skills necessary to lead a mutually respectful and inclusive work environment are needed. Evidence demonstrating a commitment to enhancing the diversity and inclusion of students, faculty, and staff is expected. The department chair will be able to lead a department of international stature, as well as embrace the full scope of the land-grant mission, including research, instruction, extension, and service.
Required License/Registration/Certification N/A Job Summary The College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, seeks a dynamic and visionary department chair of the Department of Animal & Food Sciences. We seek an individual with a broad vision for sustaining animal agriculture and food systems and a track record of leadership at the national level, as well as demonstrated success in acquiring resources for programs collaborating across disciplines. As a land-grant university, we value a demonstrated commitment towards integrating research, instruction, and extension programs, as well as a keen dedication to the needs of the consumer.
Our people:The Department of Animal & Food Sciences currently has 30 full-time faculty and 50 support staff. The Department currently has 300 undergraduate Animal Science students, 30 undergraduate Food Science students, and 25 graduate students. The Department also provides substantial teaching and advising support for 300-plus students in the interdepartmental undergraduate Equine Science and Management major in the College. The Department is finalizing a revitalized Food Science undergraduate program, with the goal of substantially expanding undergraduate enrollment.
Facilities:The department chair oversees animal units that support research, instruction, extension, and outreach efforts, including 4-H; these include beef, dairy, swine, sheep, poultry, and equine animal units, as well as a meats laboratory and feed mill.
New projects:The department chair will have a lead role on planning teams for several ongoing and planned capital projects. These include the construction of USDA-ARS research facilities (~$65.9 M), new poultry (~$6 M) and dairy (~$2 M) units, as well as the replacement of multiple facilities damaged by a December 2021 tornado at the UK Education and Research Center at Princeton, Kentucky. In addition, there is a new partnership with the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association to develop an education/training center focused on workforce education. We are also preparing a proposal for a processing center on one of the college’s research farms to support Kentucky’s growing food production industry. Several of these projects will be contiguous on the Little Animal Research Center in Woodford County, comprising a proposed “Beef Center of Excellence.”
Advancing Kentucky:Animal agriculture and food production are major drivers in Kentucky’s economy, and the department chair has important responsibilities for programs and outreach to support and grow the animal agriculture and food system economy for today and the future. The Department of Animal & Food Sciences chair is expected to be a good citizen of the university and to establish productive and trusting relationships with the strong commodity groups in Kentucky.
Typical duties and responsibilities:
The Department Chair administrative duties and responsibilities are found in many parts of the university’s governing and administrative regulations and include but are not limited to:- Academic leadership, including faculty hiring and development, annual performance reviews, two- and four-year pre-tenure reviews, dossier preparation, curriculum changes and development, overall faculty mentorship, faculty/staff searches, periodic program reviews/implementation, accreditation (as appropriate), as well as institutional and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges reporting- Enhancement of collaborative relationships with commodity groups and other stakeholders to advance knowledge in animal and food sciences- Leadership to support the timely dissemination of information- Ensuring the department remains a key participant in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment’s multidisciplinary UK Ag Equine Programs and the Equine Science and Management undergraduate degree program- Fiscal analysis and strategic financial management, fiscal and reporting accountability to a variety of funding sources and entities, and compliance with business procedures- Infusing innovative entrepreneurial activities for each and across mission areas- Providing for personnel management, faculty, and staff development- Stewardship of physical facilities and information technology resources- Development and oversight of a strategic plan to support research farms and facilities- Compliance with university governing and administrative regulations- Communication with internal and external stakeholders- Citizenship on behalf of the College and University- Taking actions for increasing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility- Leadership in grant development and funding as well as philanthropic efforts
Position details:This is a tenure eligible, 12-month appointment in the Department of Animal & Food Sciences with the distribution of effort negotiable upon appointment and annually thereafter in compliance with university regulations. Employment at UK is subject to fund availability and comes with diverse rewards that focus on your total well-being and career development, with leadership striving to provide a strong work-life integration. The university generously contributes to employees’ retirement plans, medical coverage, and life insurance. In addition, UK offers optional benefits such as dental and vision insurance, additional retirement plans and much more. To learn more about these benefits, please visit: www.uky.edu/HR/benefits.
Required Documents
1) Cover Letter that includes a statement of strategic vision, administrative experience, and leadership philosophy, including responsibilities previous described (up to 3 pages)2) Curriculum Vita that includes a list of publications, grants received, and records of teaching, extension, and service (no page limit)3) Specific Request 1 – Statement of research (up to 1 page), Statement of teaching/instruction (up to 1 page) and a Statement of extension (up to 1 page)4) Specific Request 2 – Statement of diversity, equity, and inclusion (up to 1 page)5) Specific Request 3 – Contact information for at least three (3) professional references who can address in their professional judgement your performance in advancing your scholarly field, significance of the venues in which you have been published, the grants you have been involved with, instructional accomplishments, and the service performed. Please also indicate your relationship to the reference.
Optional Documents
6) Scanned Academic Transcript showing the earned Ph.D. or equivalent degree. Other transcripts also optional.
Open until filled; application review to begin September 1, 2022.
Questions should be directed to:
Dr. Michael MontrossSearch Committee Chair128 C.E. Barnhart BuildingUniversity of KentuckyLexington, KY 40546-0276Phone: 859-218-4319Email: michael.montross@uky.edu
The University of Kentucky considers the health, safety and well-being of our entire community to be a top priority. In alignment with this priority, all new hires must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or obtain an approved medical or religious exemption as a condition of employment. For areas that fall under the federal CMS mandate, start of employment cannot occur until two weeks after receiving the full COVID-19 vaccination series or upon obtaining an approved exemption. Only vaccines approved by the World Health Organization can be accepted. Skills / Knowledge / Abilities The demonstration of national/international recognition of excellence in instruction, research, and/or extension is required. Demonstration of leadership in developing departmental programs, working as part of a team on capital improvement projects, and stimulating extramural funding and philanthropic investments directly and through faculty activity is expected. Strong interpersonal and communication skills necessary to lead a mutually respectful and inclusive work environment are needed. Evidence demonstrating a commitment to enhancing the diversity and inclusion of students, faculty, and staff is expected. The department chair will be able to lead a department of international stature, as well as embrace the full scope of the land-grant mission, including research, instruction, extension, and service.
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? Yes Preferred Education/Experience Ph.D. (or equivalent degree) in Animal/Dairy/Poultry/Equine/Food Sciences or a closely related discipline appropriate for faculty appointment in Animal & Food Sciences at the Professor rank in a tenure-eligible title series. Deadline to Apply Open Until Filled Yes University Community of Inclusion The University of Kentucky is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce by ensuring all our students, faculty, and staff work in an environment of openness and acceptance. We strive to foster a community where people of all backgrounds, identities, and perspectives can feel secure and welcome. We also value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we strongly encourage veterans, individuals with disabilities, women, and all minorities to consider our employment opportunities.
Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.
