Professor and Head - Department of Animal Sciences, College of ACES

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Job Title: Professor and Head - Department of Animal Sciences, College of ACES

Company Name:	University of Illinois
Location:	Urbana, IL
Position Type:	Full Time
Post Date:	03/06/2026
Expire Date:	04/05/2026
Job Categories:	Education, Collegiate Faculty, Staff, Administration

Job Description

Professor and Head - Department of Animal Sciences, College of ACES
<h2 style="text-align: center">Professor and Head - Department of Animal Sciences, College of ACES</h2><h3 style="text-align: center">Department of Animal Sciences</h3>  The Department of Animal Sciences (<a href="https://ansc.illinois.edu/">https://ansc.illinois.edu/</a>) 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.ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY, COLLEGE, AND DEPARTMENTThe 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 (<a href="http://www.illinois.edu/">www.illinois.edu</a>) 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) <a href="https://aces.illinois.edu/">https://aces.illinois.edu/</a>) 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.MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIESThe 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.REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONSAll candidates must hold a Ph.D. in animal sciences or a related field with demonstrated excellence in research, resident instruction, and administrative skills plus an understanding of and dedication to Extension efforts. Candidates must be qualified for a tenured appointment at the rank of full professor. The position requires strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively with faculty, students, staff, administrators, and various stakeholder groups. Experience with public and private funding sources in the U.S. and an understanding of farm administration is necessary. Candidates should demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to the goals of a land-grant university. SALARY AND APPOINTMENT DETAILSThe salary range for the nine-month professor position is projected to be $165,000-$185,000. The Head position is a twelve-month appointment that carries an administrative stipend for full-time effort. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. This position is eligible for all sponsorship options.PROPOSED START DATEAs soon as possible after the closing date.APPLICATION PROCESSTo ensure full consideration, candidates should apply by April 3, 2026. The search will remain open until suitable candidates are identified. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of the posting on <a href="https://jobs.illinois.edu/">https://jobs.illinois.edu</a> and upload the following materials:·         A letter of application addressing the applicant’s administrative experience, leadership philosophy, and excellence in core areas relevant to the responsibilities of the position.·         Curriculum vitae.·         Contact information for three (3) professional references (name, title, address, phone, email). All requested materials must be submitted for your application to be given full consideration. For further information, please contact Dr. Robert Schooley, Search Committee Chair, via e-mail (<a>schooley@illinois.edu</a>). For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.Founded in 1867 as Illinois’s flagship public university, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign empowers a global community of students, scholars, and alumni to change the world through bold, innovative research and transformative education. With a land-grant heritage rooted in progress, Illinois faculty drive paradigm-shifting discoveries, mentor future leaders, and collaborate across 15 colleges and instructional units and more than 20 research institutes. The university’s legacy of excellence includes 24 Nobel Prizes and 29 Pulitzer Prizes awarded to its faculty and alumni, $755 million in sponsored research funding, and 94 academic programs ranked in the top 20 nationally. Illinois offers the resources, recognition, and reach to accelerate your career — along with a highly competitive benefits portfolio. Discover how the Illinois Value Proposition fosters professional longevity, personal fulfillment, and a deep sense of purpose in every role.<a href="https://provost.illinois.edu/faculty-affairs/faculty-recruitment/" title="https://provost.illinois.edu/faculty-affairs/faculty-recruitment/">Faculty</a> <a href="https://provost.illinois.edu/faculty-affairs/faculty-recruitment/" title="https://provost.illinois.edu/faculty-affairs/faculty-recruitment/">Recruitment</a> <a href="https://makeitcu.com/" title="https://makeitcu.com/">Champaign-Urbana</a>Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.This position is intended to be <a href="https://go.illinois.edu/workatillinois">eligible for benefits</a>. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.<hr> The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit <a href="https://go.uillinois.edu/noticesandposters" target="_blank">Required Employment Notices and Posters</a> to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through <a href="https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/EVerifyParticipationPoster.pdf" target="_blank">E-Verify</a>.Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the <a href="http://go.illinois.edu/accommodationportal" title="http://go.illinois.edu/accommodationportal">reasonable accommodation portal</a>, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or <a title="mailto:accessibility@illinois.edu">accessibility@illinois.edu</a>.<hr> Requisition ID: 1035102 Job Category: Faculty Apply at: <a href="https://jobs.illinois.edu">https://jobs.illinois.edu</a>

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University of Illinois

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https://illinois.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/16260?c=illinois

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