Director, Division of Animal Sciences

About the Division

The Division of Animal Sciences is among the largest and most prominent of the six divisions within CAFNR. Formed through the merger of long-standing dairy, animal, and poultry husbandry programs, the Division has grown into an internationally recognized center of excellence in applied and basic animal science research. Faculty expertise spans reproductive and environmental physiology, ruminant and monogastric nutrition, genetics and genomics, meat science, and livestock production. Work occurs across major species including beef and dairy cattle, swine, poultry, horses, goats, sheep, as well as companion animals.

With more than 400 undergraduate students, nationally competitive M.S. and Ph.D. programs, and access to best-in-class research farms and facilities, the Division of Animal Sciences provides comprehensive experiential learning opportunities. Students gain hands-on training across the full spectrum of animal sciences, from molecular research laboratories to farms, barns, and meat processing facilities.

The Division is ranked #1 in the nation for bench-to-barnyard research support and is home to globally recognized researchers whose expertise spans genetics, nutrition, reproduction, and meat science. Faculty lead innovative research programs that address animal health, food safety, livestock sustainability, and global food production challenges.

About the College

The College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) at the University of Missouri is a national leader in agricultural research, student success, and impactful Extension programming. CAFNR offers more than 55 degree programs, minors, and certificates and reports a 97% career outcomes rate for its graduates. The college is a campus leader in research, and Mizzou ranks #2 in the US for total federal agricultural expenditures. CAFNR’s research enterprise spans plant and animal sciences, food and natural resources, human health, agricultural economics, and environmental systems. Identified Programs of Distinction provide highlights of established expertise and impact where CAFNR scholarship is working to solve the challenges of society today. Faculty, staff and students collaborate across six divisions and work across 14,000 acres of research farms and centers throughout Missouri.

Opportunities and Challenges

As mentioned, the Division Director will have the opportunity to lead one of the nation’s premier animal science programs at a pivotal time in agriculture and animal systems innovation. Positioned to advance livestock sustainability, animal health, meat science, and genetics and genomics, the Division offers nationally recognized research strengths and emerging technologies that support bold, interdisciplinary collaboration. This role calls for a confident, authentic leader who thrives in a high-performing academic environment and collaborates effectively with faculty, staff, college and campus leadership, as well as critically important external partners. The leader will provide steady, transparent guidance across the Division, grounded in respect, clarity, and integrity to further advance the Division’s national and global prominence.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide principled, strategic leadership that advances excellence in research, teaching, and Extension while elevating the Division’s national and global prominence.
• Foster a collaborative culture that supports faculty, staff, and student success.
• Uphold and strengthen shared governance by engaging faculty, staff, and stakeholders in transparent decision-making, strategic planning, and policy development to ensure collective responsibility and institutional trust.
• Oversee fiscal, personnel, and operational management needs of the Division, ensuring effective stewardship of resources and mission-oriented achievements.
• Lead modernization and strategic enhancement of research farms and laboratory facilities to support cutting-edge science and competitive funding.
• Strengthen partnerships with industry, commodity groups, producers, and donors to expand impact and secure external support.
• Champion research growth and interdisciplinary collaboration to increase federal, state, and industry funding.
• Support innovative curriculum development, experiential learning, and strategic enrollment to ensure long-term viability.
• Advance the Extension mission by expanding science-based outreach to producers and rural communities.

Qualifications

• Minimum qualifications: Earned doctorate in animal science or a closely related field and a record of scholarly achievement sufficient for tenure at the rank of full professor within the division.
• Demonstrated administrative leadership experience.
• Additional criteria candidates will be evaluated on: Experience as a faculty member and/or administrator within a land-grant university that demonstrates a fluent understanding of the land-grant identity that sits central to this division. Prior record of research, teaching, and/or Extension effectiveness and impact. Ability to provide visionary, collaborative, and comprehensive leadership for a multifaceted academic division. Commitment to elevating academic programs, supporting faculty excellence, and enhancing student success. Capacity to strengthen and expand a high-impact research enterprise across key areas of animal sciences and the ability to translate research into impactful Extension programming for producers and rural communities. Effectiveness in engaging commodity groups, industry partners, alumni, and statewide as well as national stakeholders. Skill in managing budgets, personnel, and facilities strategically and transparently. Strong record of team building, faculty mentorship, staff management, and student engagement. Demonstrated success in securing external funding and cultivating philanthropic partnerships.