We're Hiring!

Position Function:

The Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences is currently seeking an Assistant or Associate Professor for a 12-month tenure track (20% teaching, 40% research, 40% Extension) position with an emphasis in dairy science.

Salary Grade:  UC

Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges.  For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Department Profile:

The Animal and Dairy Sciences Department currently houses approximately 625 undergraduate students, 40 graduate students, and 26 faculty, both on the main campus and at Research and Extension Centers throughout Mississippi. The Department offers a Bachelor of Science degree with concentrations in Pre-Vet/Science, Pre-Vet Med Tech, Production Management, Business and Industry and newly approved Food Science. Master of Science, Master of Agriculture, and Ph.D. degrees are offered in Animal and Dairy Sciences through the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The Department conducts teaching, research, and extension activities on the 1,200 acre H.H. Leveck Animal Research Center and 1,200 acre Bearden Research Dairy. The Department’s 15,000 sq. ft. Meat Science and Muscle Biology Laboratory was completed in 2018 and houses state of the art equipment to harvest and fabricate carcasses and process into wholesale and retail cuts. The new Animal and Dairy Sciences building opened in 2019. This 38,000 square foot facility houses three teaching areas including a teaching laboratory and distance education equipped classrooms as well as research laboratories and animal rooms for teaching and research needs. The South Farm is home to our new Livestock Evaluation Laboratory. Our research and teaching herds include dairy, beef, horses, sheep, goats, rabbits and swine on the Mississippi State University main campus.

Area of Specialization:

Dairy Science

Anticipated Appointment Date:

January 1, 2027. 

Tenure Track Status:

Yes. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The candidate must pursue extramural funds to support programmatic activities and publish results in peer reviewed journals. Conduct and lead research in Dairy Science as well as be responsible for developing and implementing research projects and supervising graduate students. Develop scholarly publications and presentations and be active in the academic community by presenting papers and lectures at conferences and seminars, participate in funding reviews and grant proposals, and provide expert advice and engage in public outreach thereby demonstrating their ability to communicate effectively and collaborate with colleagues internally and externally to Mississippi State University. Teaching responsibilities will be determined based on departmental needs and include undergraduate and graduate courses. The successful candidate should be able to effectively advise undergraduate students and train graduate students. A collaborative and collegial approach with faculty and staff in the department, college, and university and with external partners and stakeholders is essential. Candidates must demonstrate a commitment to service through activities such as participation on department, college, and university committees and via service to appropriate professional associations. The successful candidate must be able to support the dairy industry in the state and maintain relevant dairy adult and youth programs in the state, mostly consisting of small farms and niche dairies with specialty product production. The desired candidate should be able to support a wide variety of production methods and help farmers with animal care and welfare, production decisions, current trends and technologies applicable to a small dairy industry. In addition, the Bearden Dairy is a great education center for outside groups. It is imperative that we maintain an outreach to outside entities for adult and youth educational programs hosted at the Dairy. There is also an expectation for assisting with the state 4-H youth education contests.

Minimum Qualifications:

An earned Ph.D. in animal science, dairy science, or closely related field with an emphasis in dairy science. Candidates must have excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.

ABDs or degree pending considered (all but DISS):

Yes. 

Preferred Qualifications:

Candidates with a demonstrated track record of grantsmanship and publication in peer-reviewed journals are preferred. Experience managing student research projects, training students in research, conducting extension programming and innovative classroom instruction are desired. Preference will be given to those with demonstrated success in evidenced in cross discipline collaborations and experience working with stakeholder and end-user groups.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Candidates must have excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills and the ability to foster a collaborative and collegial atmosphere.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

The majority of the work is performed in a classroom or lab environment. Some duties include hands on instruction, which could involve moderate exposure to extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises.

Instructions for Applying:

Link to apply:  http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/

All applicants must apply online at www.jobs.msstate.edu, and will be required to submit a cover letter, resume/CV, and transcripts of all degrees. Please include a statement of philosophies in extension, research and teaching. Names and contact information of 3 professional references are also required. Official transcripts for all degrees will be required from the successful candidate. Any social security numbers on requested transcripts or other applicant documents should be redacted. Inquires can be emailed to Dr. Christy Bratcher at christy.bratcher@msstate.edu or by phone at (662) 325-2802.

Screening Date:

September 10, 2026, until filled. 

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.

What do I do if I need an accommodation?

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.

If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.