News

The Department of Animal Science and Aquaculture in the Dalhousie Faculty of Agriculture, Truro, invites applications from qualified candidates for a full-time, tenure stream faculty position at either the   Assistant or Associate Professor rank, depending on the candidate. Exceptional cases at the rank of Professor will be considered.

Dalhousie University is comprised of 13 faculties with a current enrollment of 18,500 graduate and undergraduate students.  It is the largest university in the Maritimes and a member of Canada’s U15 research-intensive university group. This position is located on the Agricultural Campus in the town of Truro, a thriving social and business community that is home to approximately 45,000 residents which offers excellent schooling, affordable living and convenient location accessible to Halifax as well as Nova Scotia’s oceanic and boreal nature areas.

The livestock industries are significant contributors to the Atlantic region’s GDP and therefore are important stakeholders to the Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University. The incumbent for this position will conduct research on improving the sustainability and resilience of animal agriculture using animal breeding and bioinformatics. This faculty position will facilitate the development of inter-disciplinary teams to address the three pillars of the department research strategy: Building sustainability and resiliency, conscientious animal care, and identification of bioactives to support animal health.

The successful candidate must have a PhD, and must demonstrate:

·         A plan for outstanding novel research in animal breeding and bioinformatics relevant to sustainability and resiliency of animal agriculture, consistent with the Department’s strategic research plan and research priorities of the animal industries.

·         Evidence of research into multiple livestock species of importance to Canada and Atlantic Canada is an asset

·         Effective specific research capabilities that relate to strategies for genetic evaluation and selection and validation of prediction methods.

·         A solid understanding of animal breeding in livestock production. The candidate should understand how this contributes to high production of quality animal products while optimizing farm profitability and reducing negative environmental impact.

·         Experience using software such as R and Python; familiarity with Unix, Fortan, and specialized software such as Fimpute is an asset.  

·         An excellent scientific publication record.

·         Evidence of ability to secure research funding, including national tri-council funding.

·         Potential for excellence in undergraduate and graduate teaching in areas that complement our teaching program; and excellent oral and written communication skills.

·         Evidence of multidisciplinary activity and the ability to collaborate and network with regional, national and international academic and industry partners.

The successful candidate will be required to teach undergraduate students as well as mentor and train graduate students. The teaching assignment will include animal breeding and reflect the expertise of the successful candidate within the needs of the Department. Service responsibilities include development of good working relationships with appropriate commodity and community groups, industry and government. The candidate is expected to maintain professional membership in the Nova Scotia Institute of Agrologists and become an active, engaged member of the Department, Faculty and University.  Activities at local, national and international levels are expected to promote continuous improvement in research, teaching and learning at Dalhousie.

The Department of Animal Science and Aquaculture is home to over half of the Faculty of Agriculture’s students and offers technical, undergraduate and graduate programs in Animal Science and Bioveterinary Science, Animal Welfare Certificate, Veterinary Technology and Aquaculture. The incumbent will have access to quality research facilities to support dairy sustainability research including laboratory facilities, a herd of 40 lactating dairy cows on campus, along with a sheep unit, a mink unit, a poultry research center and small animal holding facilities for terrestrial and aquatic animals. 

Applications must include a cover letter stating qualifications and experience, a Curriculum Vitae, including a list of publications and major projects, statement of teaching experience and philosophy, (including copies of teaching evaluations if available) and a five-year research program plan. The names and contact information of three referees will be required prior to any position offer. Please submit applications at http://dal.peopleadmin.ca/postings/2691.

Review of applications will begin February 5, 2020.

For further information regarding this position contact: Dr. Bruce Rathgeber, Chair of Selection Committee, Department of Animal Science and Aquaculture, 58 Sipu Road, P.O. Box 550, Bible Hill, NS., B2N 5E3, Canada.  Phone: (902)893-6654; email: brathgeber@dal.ca.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.  Dalhousie University is committed to fostering a collegial culture grounded in diversity and inclusiveness.  The university encourages applications from Indigenous persons, persons with a disability, racially visible persons, women, persons of a minority sexual orientation and/or and gender identity, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community. For more information, please visit www.dal.ca/hiringfor diversity.

Posting Detail Information:

Posting Number                                               F69P     

Open Date                                                           01/06/2020

Close Date                                                           02/05/2020        

Open Until Filled                                               No

Quick Link for Direct Access to Posting     http://dal.peopleadmin.ca/postings/2691  

Documents Needed to Apply:

1.       Curriculum Vitae (CV)

2.       Cover Letter

3.       Teaching Statement (max 2 pages)

4.       Research Plan (max 2 pages)