Working/Functional Title
Associate/Full Professor Meadow Brook Chair
Position Summary
The Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, is currently seeking applications for the esteemed position of Meadowbrook Farm Animal Chair. This is a prominent position within the college and university, serving to conduct research in food animal health and well-being, mentor future scientists, and foster collaborative research and graduate training across departments. The successful applicant will be appointed within the tenure system and will be awarded the rank of Associate Professor or Professor, commensurate with experience.
The Meadow Brook Farm Animal Chair position is made possible through the generous benefaction of Matilda R. Wilson. As part of this prestigious role, a highly competitive startup package is offered, inclusive of state-of-the-art research facilities and annual discretionary funding from the Meadow Brook Farm Animal Chair Endowment.
The College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University is committed to advancing knowledge and transforming lives through high-caliber research, exceptional education at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels, and active outreach, engagement, and economic activities. As a public land-grant research university, Michigan State University’s land-grant mission continues to the present day, marking it as one of the largest universities in the United States. The university is a member of the Association of American Universities and is classified among R1: Doctoral Universities–Very high research activity.
We aim to attract candidates who can contribute to and leverage the existing strengths in our department and university in areas such as immunology, microbiology, molecular genetics, translational dual-purpose agri-biomedical research, disease pathogenesis, and host-environment interactions. The research focus of the Meadow Brook Farm Animal Chair is versatile, encompassing various areas of inquiry, including but not limited to antibiotic resistance, applied and basic science research from animal health enhancement, animal welfare, developing sustainable and climate-smart agriculture practices, and the examination of society- food production interactions.
We look forward to hiring a distinguished scientist who will lead a program capable of making a transformative impact on the animal agricultural industry. This focus and strength of the department are illustrated by its current endowed chairs in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, which included the David Ellis Chair in Large Animal Sciences and Antibiotic Resistance, Matilda R. Wilson Endowed Research Chair with a keen focus on development immunology and gut health, and the Mary Anne McPhail Dressage Chair in Equine Sports Medicine.
We know that groundbreaking science takes a team, and we are committed to collaborative research and mentoring. The department and college have a strong history of collaboration within and across departments and colleges and engagement in campus-wide transdisciplinary initiatives, so the scope of research can match your imagination. Candidates with extensive research training, evidence of success for external funding programs from federal agencies, a distinguished research program of national and international stature and impactful research, with backgrounds in immunology, microbiology, genetics, genomics, nutrition, animal welfare, or complimentary and synergistic areas, as well as vigorous training programs, are highly encouraged to apply for this prestigious and influential position.
In the position, the chosen candidate will:
- Engage in groundbreaking research studies or programmatic activities, driving innovation in the field.
- Assume a leadership role as a principal investigator and/or project director for innovative studies that advance animal health and wellbeing.
- Design and execute impactful studies that contribute to the scientific understanding of animal health, with the potential to shape industry practices.
- Lead the development of high-quality scientific manuscripts, technical reports, and engaging oral presentations, ensuring the dissemination of research findings to relevant stakeholders.
- Serve as a catalyst to help form new teams and collaborations within and outside of CVM.
- Provide expert scientific advice and technical assistance to influential public, private, and nonprofit health organizations, playing a pivotal role in shaping policies and practices.
- Enhance the reputation and stature of LCS and CVM by engaging with government bodies, foundations, steering committees, advisory panels, and other key stakeholders.
- Take the lead in crafting compelling proposals for government, foundation, and other partners and clients, securing funding for impactful research initiatives.
- Play an active role in mentoring and training graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, fostering their scientific growth and professional development.
- Engage in both domestic and international project-related travel as needed, broadening perspectives, and collaborating with experts worldwide.
The successful applicant’s role will encompass research/scholarly activity and education. The amount of time dedicated to each of these endeavors is flexible and will be geared toward the applicant’s interests, strengths, and qualifications. Tenure system appointments require more time dedicated to independent and collaborative, externally funded research. More information about the Tenure System is available at Tenure System Hiring Information (msu.edu).
Required Qualifications:
- DVM (or equivalent such as VMD, BVSc) or Ph.D (or equivalent)
- A national research leader with a distinguished record of research relevant to livestock animal health.
- Successful, funded research programs in immunology, microbiology, genetics, genomics, nutrition, metabolism, animal welfare, epidemiology, or related field.
- Desire for continued scholarly and creative growth.
- A demonstrated capacity to promote collegiality by collaborating with individuals from clinical and basic science disciplines, enthusiastically mentoring junior faculty, and supporting a diverse, inclusive, and dynamic intellectual community.
- Commitment to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Desired Qualifications:
- Evidence of commitment to promoting open science principles and ensuring the highest level of research rigor and reproducibility.
- Evidence of outstanding interpersonal skills and the ability to lead and contribute to diverse and interdisciplinary teams.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The mission of the College is to be inclusive as we learn, discover, heal, and protect. As a college, we aim to identify, attract, and retain talented students, faculty, and staff reflective of the diversity of the populations in our state, the nation, and the world. Our academic, scholarly, and service roles, considered separately and collectively, form the foundation of an inclusive culture committed to respecting, nurturing, and advancing all individuals.
CVM Core Value of Diversity: We are committed to promoting the principles of equal opportunity and multiculturalism where all individuals are valued, respected, provided opportunities to flourish and open doors in their pursuit of excellence. We encourage and welcome our community to share ideas surrounding opportunities to ad