Professor and Head

The Department of Animal Sciences (  ) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign seeks an exceptional leader for the position of Professor and Head of Department. The person in this position will provide strategic direction and operational oversight for a dynamic and internationally recognized department at the forefront of animal sciences research, teaching, Extension, and outreach. We invite applications from distinguished scholars with a passion for developing future leaders, advancing scientific discovery, and enhancing societal impact in animal sciences.

The Department of Animal Sciences comprises over 600 undergraduate and 137 graduate students, 120 staff, 50 faculty members, and is a leader among peer programs in publications, citations, and grant funding. The departmental preeminence in livestock, companion, and biomedical animal research, teaching, and Extension includes the areas of nutrition, immunology and behavior, reproductive biology, microbiology, genomics and bioinformatics, meat science and muscle biology, production and environmental management, precision livestock farming, and humane education.

Fundamental and applied research programs benefit from access to state-of-the‑art laboratory animal facilities; beef, dairy, poultry, swine, and horse farms; and beef research stations in southern and western Illinois. Our graduates and programs contribute to a safe, nutritious, sustainable, and affordable food supply and enhance the well‑being of humans and animals.

The University of Illinois at Urbana‑Champaign ((Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). ) has a student enrollment of over 60,000, and nearly 2,000 tenured/tenure‑track faculty members. The College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, ACES)  ) is home to seven academic departments, ranging from Agricultural and Biological Engineering to Human Development and Family Studies.

A vibrant and diverse community of 110,000, Urbana‑Champaign is located approximately 120 miles south of Chicago and 120 miles west of Indianapolis. It offers the residential advantages of a medium‑sized university city, excellent cultural opportunities, and a high quality of life.

The Professor and Head of the Department of Animal Sciences is a full‑time, 100% administrative position in the College of ACES at the University of Illinois. This position is responsible for administering the research, teaching, Extension, outreach, and international activities of the Department of Animal Sciences. Specifically, the Head’s responsibilities include:

• Provide strategic leadership and vision to the department.
• Establish goals and develop and communicate policy guidelines in consultation with the faculty.
• Inspire academic excellence through recruitment, mentoring, and encouragement of faculty, staff, and students.
• Support faculty, staff, and students in securing external and intramural funding, fellowships, honors, and awards.
• Spearhead strategic fundraising initiatives and secure external support and resources to advance department goals.
• Champion the continued improvement of our top‑ranked graduate and undergraduate programs.
• Supervise the activities at the beef, dairy, poultry, swine, and horse farms, research stations, and facilities.
• Oversee budgetary and financial matters, including financial accounting, budget preparation, and allocation of funds among departmental programs, personnel, farms, and facilities.
• Plan and implement programs to enhance departmental research and educational facilities.
• Represent and effectively advocate for the department at the college and campus levels, and facilitate departmental collaborations with other campus units.
• Extend and enhance relationships with stakeholders, including industry, government, community, and other key external partners at the state, national, and international levels.
• Promote access, opportunity, and an inclusive environment within the department.

All candidates must hold a Ph.D. in animal sciences or a related field with demonstrated excellence in research, resident…