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Title: Assistant Professor of Animal Science
Employee Classification: Asst Professor
Division Name: Academic Affairs
College/Unit: College of Applied Science and Technology
Department: Agriculture
Campus Location: Normal, IL

Job Summary

The Department of Agriculture invites applications for one tenure-track position beginning August 16, 2026. We are seeking qualified candidates in the field of Animal Science.

Responsibilities include scholarly research and publishing including grant writing, effective undergraduate and graduate teaching and mentoring, and service within the department, university and professional organizations. The normal teaching load is nine credit hours per semester. Thus, the individual in this position is expected to teach 3 courses each semester within the Department of Agriculture. Teaching responsibilities will be assigned based on the successful candidate’s area of expertise, with opportunities available in areas including nutrition, animal welfare and behavior, and animal health and disease.

The position is a nine-month, tenure track appointment with the possibility of summer teaching. Salary and rank are commensurate with qualifications and experience. The locus of annual evaluation, tenure, and promotion in rank will be in the Department of Agriculture. A comprehensive benefits package is included.

University Benefit Highlights:

- Insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life
- Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options
- Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents
- Paid holiday/administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks
- Paid benefit time

Additional University Benefit information, including information regarding eligibility to participate in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program, can be reviewed here: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/

Additional Information

The Department of Agriculture (AGR) at Illinois State University has 12 tenured and tenure-track faculty, approximately 440 undergraduate students, and 40 graduate students. The department offers an undergraduate major in Agriculture with sequences in Agribusiness, Agriculture Communication and Leadership, Agriculture Education, Agronomy Management, Animal Industry Management, Animal Science, Crop and Soil Science, Food Industry Management, Horticulture and Landscape Management, and Pre-Veterinary Medicine. The department offers a Master of Science in Agriculture with sequences in Agribusiness, Agriculture Education and Leadership, and Agriscience. The department boasts unique resources to facilitate teaching and research, including a meats laboratory, an agriculture mechanics and technology laboratory, a 25-acre horticulture center, and a 600-acre teaching and research farm with grain and livestock production. The program blends classroom instruction with applied experiences, preparing graduates for leadership in agriculture and related industries. The Department of Agriculture ( https://agriculture.illinoisstate.edu/ ) is administratively located within the College of Applied Science and Technology ( http://cast.illinoisstate.edu/ ).

Illinois State University: IllinoisState.edu, was founded in 1857 as Illinois’ first public university. We enroll approximately 21,000 students in six colleges. Our new strategic plan, Excellence by Design: 2024-2029, lists our seven core values: Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship; Individualized Attention; Equity, Diversity, Access, and Belonging; Collaboration; Community and Civic Engagement; Respect; and Integrity. By acting on these values, we create a learning environment that results in our university being the first-choice public university in Illinois for high-achieving, motivated students who seek an individualized educational experience combined with the resources of a large university. Learn more about Illinois State’s Metrics of Excellence at IllinoisState.edu/PointsofPride.

Bloomington-Normal: Illinois State University is located in the growing twin cities of Bloomington and Normal, with a metro population of approximately 172,000. The community is also home to Illinois Wesleyan University, Heartland Community College, St. Joseph Medical Center, Carle BroMenn Medical Center, COUNTRY Financial, State Farm Insurance’s International Headquarters, Central Illinois Regional Airport, and electric truck manufacturer Rivian Motors. The community has distinguished itself for its outstanding school systems, and its citizens’ high level of educational attainment, as well as its parks and recreation, health care, vibrant fine arts scene, job growth, economic opportunity, historic sites, and low crime rates. Bloomington made Livability’s top 100 Best Places to Live (2024) and ranked No. 3 on College Values Online’s list of Best Small College Towns in America (2024). Bloomington-Normal is conveniently located about three hours from Indianapolis; two hours from both Chicago and St. Louis; and an hour from Peoria, Champaign-Urbana, Decatur, and Springfield. Many of these locations are accessible from Bloomington-Normal via Amtrak, which is located one block from Illinois State’s campus. For more information on our community, visit visitbn.org.

Salary Rate / Pay Rate

$78,000 to $81,000 Commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Required Qualifications

1. A terminal degree in Animal Science (Ph.D. or DVM) or a closely related field. ABD candidates with an expected completion of Ph.D. degree by May 15, 2026, will also be considered.
2. Research and undergraduate teaching expertise in animal science or other closely related areas.
3. Candidates must be able to demonstrate oral proficiency in the English language as a requirement for this position, as mandated by state law.

Work Hours

Varies

Proposed Starting Date

August 16, 2026

Required Applicant Documents

1) Letter of Application
2) Teaching Philosophy Statement
3) Research Agenda
4) Curriculum Vitae
5) Reference list

Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Special Instructions for Applicants

Review of applications will begin on October 27, 2025 and shall continue until the position is filled.

Contact Information for Applicants

Dr. Drew Lugar
dwlugar@ilstu.edu

Important Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.