Cornell: Assistant/Associate Professor
Posted on May 7, 2024
Position description:
The Department of Animal Science in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at Cornell University is seeking a highly collaborative Anaerobic Microbiome Scientist to deepen our understanding of the microbial ecology of the rumen and gastrointestinal tract of livestock with the goal of decreasing methane production and improving the efficiency of nutrient use in the ruminant.
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) Roadmap to 2050 is centering environmental justice to achieve climate and sustainability goals via a cohort of hires within our Transdisciplinary Moonshots – opportunities for the College to collaborate on future-focused, cross-disciplinary scientific breakthroughs and to align research, education, and extension programs for greater impact and stronger connectivity. The Moonshot areas build upon core strengths in CALS, spanning the agricultural, environmental, life, and social sciences, with the goal of recruiting 27 faculty into the College over the next three years.
The Accelerating Livestock Innovations for Sustainability moonshot is a campus-wide initiative to advance holistic climate solutions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions from livestock production systems, enhance resilience of production systems to climate change, protect the livelihood of farmers and health of animals, and ensure food security globally. Livestock methane emissions are a potent and significant contributor to climate change worldwide. Cutting methane can reduce global warming by ~0.5 degrees C in the next decade, thereby slowing the rapid pace of climate change. CALS is leading in methane reductions through our innovative approach to fostering collaborations among researchers, educators, and industry that aim to reduce these emissions while protecting food production, animal health, and farmers’ livelihoods. In addition to this hire, the cohort will include new faculty positions in Global Livestock Sustainability (Animal Science) and Production Economics (Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management).
We are seeking applicants for a 9-month, full-time tenure-track position in Ruminant Microbiology of Anaerobes in Animal and Environmental Systems at the assistant/early associate professor level. The successful applicant is expected to maintain an internationally recognized and competitively-funded research program that focuses on microbiome science in animal systems. The candidate is anticipated to leverage contemporary techniques to reveal meaningful interactions between the ruminant microbiome and methanogenesis within the context of diverse diets, genetics of the ruminant and their microbiome, and/or external environments including those that induce stress.
The successful candidate will be encouraged to collaborate with faculty members focused on the study and potential regulatory approval of methane-reducing feed additives on enteric and manure greenhouse gas emissions. Existing and future ruminant microbiome data sets will be made available to the successful candidate as a means to foster collaboration and support the development of the candidate’s program. The faculty member will also have access to an active community of microbiome scientists through the Cornell Institute of Host-Microbe Interactions and Disease and more than fifty faculty members spanning the Field of Microbiology across five colleges.
responsibilities:
Research (50%) – Outstanding research scholarship is expected, as the successful candidate will lead an internationally-recognized and well-funded research program focused on anaerobic microbiology and rumen ecology as it pertains to methanogenesis in ruminants. Excellence in and commitment to development of multidisciplinary team-based research and training programs is essential.
Teaching (50%) – The successful candidate will contribute to teaching an undergraduate course in ruminant microbiology and participate in cross-campus teaching efforts related to microbiology.
qualifications:
The successful candidate will have a Ph.D. in Animal Science, Microbiology, or a related field with an understanding of anaerobic microbiology and/or ruminant animal biology. Previous postdoctoral training is preferred but not required. A commitment to research and teaching in the Animal Science undergraduate major and to the development of multidisciplinary team-based research and training programs is essential.
application and starting date:
The anticipated starting date is January 2025, or as negotiated. Qualified applicants should submit 1) a cover letter briefly summarizing background, qualifications, and interest in the position; 2) a Curriculum Vitae; 3) a research statement outlining experience, interests, and goals; 4) a teaching statement outlining experience, interests, and goals; 5) a statement supporting diverse communities (this can be a stand-alone document (preferred) or the information can be embedded in other parts of the application materials) outlining how, through research, teaching, service. mentoring, extension, and/or outreach, the candidate has and will contribute to support Cornell’s historical mission of “any person … any study”; 6) copies of four relevant publications; and 7) names and contact information for three references. Materials should be submitted online to: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/27517. Applications received by August 15, 2024, will be given full consideration. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Inquiries may be directed to:
Search chair: Joseph McFadden
Department of Animal Science
Cornell University Ithaca, NY 14850
Email: JWM43@cornell.edu
equal employment opportunity:
Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University’s heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, and we do not tolerate discrimination based on any protected characteristic, including race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex/gender, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.