The School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) at Texas A&M University (TAMU) and Texas A&M University AgriLife Research are seeking qualified applicants for a full-time, 11-month academic appointment at the rank of tenure-track, assistant professor in ruminant health research. This position has an expected start date of August 1, 2023.  The overall goal of this position is to enhance food animal production by conducting applied research in ruminant animal health involving the beef and dairy industries in the Texas High Plains region. Ruminant health issues may include bovine respiratory disease in beef and dairy cattle, endemic infectious diseases such as mastitis or metritis in dairy cattle as well as newly emergent diseases in both systems, digestive syndromes, interactions between rumen and lung microbiomes, antimicrobial use, and others. The individual selected for this position will join a successful team of colleagues working within the Veterinary Education, Research and Outreach (VERO) Program (https://vetmed.tamu.edu/vero ), an exciting new collaborative initiative in the heart of a highly productive animal agricultural region. To promote the future of agriculture and food animal health production in the region, the Texas A&M University System, which includes TAMU and West Texas A&M University (WTAMU), has invested in new facilities in Canyon, Texas that include the VERO building, WTAMU’s new Agricultural Sciences Complex, and the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory. A new Texas A&M University AgriLife Research and Extension facility, including state-of-the-art laboratories, will be completed in the same complex by the end of 2025. The successful applicant will be a key member of the growing VERO team, working with other university leaders, agency staff and faculty, and industry partners in guiding the development and growth of this novel initiative. The successful applicant will have access to cattle-feeding research facilities at Nance Ranch (WTAMU) and at Bushland, TX (Texas A&M AgriLife Research/USDA-Agricultural Research Service). The successful applicant will report jointly to the Head, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, and the Center Director, Texas A&M AgriLife Research; therefore, annual performance reviews will be conducted jointly. Progress toward academic promotion and tenure will be fostered and managed by the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University.

The successful candidate must have a PhD degree in a discipline relevant to ruminant animal health, or a DVM with specialty training related to ruminant production systems and an emerging record of scholarship related to the position focus. Candidates with knowledge and experience in ruminant health research/impacts related to beef cattle feedlots, dairy farms, or stocker/cow-calf cattle are encouraged to apply. We especially welcome applications from those candidates with a demonstrated ability to perform independent research, experience in supervising scientific support staff and graduate students, an ability to cooperate and collaborate as an interdisciplinary research team member, the capability to publish in peer-reviewed journals, and the talent and drive to build an independent and extramurally funded and sustainable research program. Candidates with expertise pertinent to North American livestock and food production systems, especially with knowledge and experience in beef and dairy production systems, will be given preference. The successful applicant is expected to establish and maintain financial support for research and training of graduate students and post-doctoral fellows in ruminant health management; in addition, the candidate will be expected to show leadership in their field, to participate actively as a member of the applicable institutional animal care and use committee (IACUC) and at least one USDA Multistate Research Committee, to establish and maintain an approved USDA Hatch Research project, and to coordinate research activities at shared cattle research facilities with regional institutions as appropriate. Participation in outreach and continuing education is encouraged.

Appointment: Approximately 60-70% of the expected effort for this position will be assigned to Research/Scholarship, 20-30% to Teaching, and 10-20% to Academic and Industry Service.