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University Of Florida

Professor and Chair – Department of Animal Sciences

University Of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, us, 32635

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Professor and Chair – Department of Animal Sciences

Job no:

537393 Work type:

Tenure-Track Faculty Location:

Main Campus (Gainesville, FL) Categories:

Biology/Life Science, Agricultural Sciences, Veterinary Medicine/Animal Care Department:

60090000 - AG-ANIMAL SCIENCES

Overview

The UF/IFAS Department of Animal Sciences is dedicated to advancing teaching, research, and extension in livestock species including beef, dairy, poultry, swine, and equine. The department delivers hands-on training across its four specialization tracks: Animal Biology, Equine, Food Animal, and Integrative Animal Sciences, serving approximately 80 graduate students and 560 undergraduate students. The department operates on the Gainesville campus and statewide Research and Education Centers to support UF’s land‑grant mission.

Animal Facilities and Resources

Responsibilities include oversight of teaching and research units across more than 5,000 acres with facilities such as cow-calf and feedlot operations, a dairy unit, a quarter horse herd, a sheep unit, extensive forage production, and related teaching/research herds. These resources support nationally recognized programs in teaching, research, and Extension.

Strategic Plan and Mission Mission:

The Department of Animal Sciences provides the highest level of education, creates transformative knowledge, and delivers solutions to stakeholders in Florida and globally.

Vision:

To be the global leader in Animal Sciences, enabling faculty, students, and stakeholders to lead and shape the future of animal agriculture.

Values:

Excellence, integrity, collaboration, passion, and innovation.

Research/Teaching/Extension:

Objectives include facilitating the research process, improving infrastructure, engaging stakeholders, enhancing teaching facilities, and expanding Extension programs.

Duties and Responsibilities of Chair Position

Cultivate stakeholder engagement

and alignment with the department’s mission and program priorities.

Engage and consult with an external advisory board and stakeholders

in beef, dairy, equine, swine, poultry, small ruminants, meat science, and allied industries to guide program development and impact.

Provide vision, support, and coordination

in planning, developing, and implementing departmental programs in Teaching, Research, and extension in accord with the Land-Grant mission.

Encourage proactive development

of strategic, interdisciplinary programs addressing Florida’s and national priorities in animal agriculture.

Provide strategic financial leadership and stewardship

of a large, financially complex enterprise, ensuring long-term sustainability across all departmental animal programs.

Develop, promote, and facilitate external funding opportunities

from public and private sources, including philanthropic and donor relations.

Recruit, retain, and foster

the academic growth and professional development of faculty, staff, and students.

Advance undergraduate and graduate education , including recruitment, retention, experiential learning, workforce development, and online offerings where appropriate.

Provide leadership and administration for statewide Teaching, Research, and Extension programs , including coordination of Animal Sciences programs at UF/IFAS RECs.

Administer resources with transparency and accountability , while championing planning and assessment.

Foster shared governance ; evaluate faculty and staff performance; support mentorship, retention, and promotion.

Represent the department and faculty interests

with IFAS and University administrators; collaborate with other departments, RECs, and partner organizations.

Economic Impacts of Animal Agriculture in Florida

Beef, dairy, equine, small ruminant, and poultry industries contribute significantly to Florida’s economy , with extensive production, employment, and revenue figures across sectors.

Unit-Specific Highlights

Academic programs: B.S. in Animal Sciences with multiple specializations; M.S. and Ph.D. programs.

Facilities: Gainesville campus facilities and units, plus statewide RECs partnerships.

Research strengths: genomics, nutrition, physiology, health and welfare, meat science, data-enabled decision support.

Extension and stakeholder engagement: programs serving numerous industries through education and technology transfer.

The University of Florida is a Land-Grant, Sea-Grant, and Space-Grant institution with extensive collaborations and statewide presence through IFAS. UF/IFAS employs ~4,500 people, including ~990 faculty.

Required Qualifications

Earned doctorate in Animal Sciences or a closely related discipline (foreign equivalent acceptable).

Record of outstanding scholarly achievement and professional activities in one or more Land-Grant missions that qualifies for tenure at the rank of full professor by appointment date.

Evidence of effective administrative leadership and managerial skills, including strategic planning and resource management.

Ability to lead multidisciplinary, grant-funded programs and to generate/manage extramural funds.

Experience directing a statewide academic unit with faculty at Gainesville and UF/IFAS RECs; commitment to shared governance and excellence.

Strong commitment to undergraduate and graduate student success, including recruitment and retention.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to interact with students, faculty, staff, administrators, industry, producers, and external stakeholders.

Commitment to continued professional development for self and for faculty/staff.

Support and understanding of the mission of a Land Grant university; experience with large Land-Grant systems and fundraising.

Experience affirming community across dimensions through programs, policy, or practice.

Special Instructions to Applicants For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit materials by November 15, 2025. The position will remain open until a viable applicant pool is determined.

Employment Conditions This position is available January 1, 2026, and will be filled as soon thereafter as an acceptable applicant is available. Compensation is commensurate with education, experience, and qualifications.

Nominations and Questions Nominations are welcome. Include the nominee’s complete name and address. Refer to Requisition #

537393 .

Prof. Eric W. Triplett

Chair, Microbiology and Cell Science Department

Application Materials

Individuals wishing to apply should go online to Careers at UF and submit:

Cover letter describing interest, qualifications, leadership experience, and a vision for the department.

Complete curriculum vitae with current position and responsibilities.

Contact information for three references.

Selected candidate will be required to provide official transcripts. Degrees from outside the US must be evaluated by a NACES-approved service. Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. UF is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Advertised: 07 Oct 2025 Eastern Daylight Time | Applications close: Open until filled

The University of Florida is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We will email you new jobs that match this search.

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