Assistant/Associate Professor in Meat Science/Muscle Biology

Position Title / Rank:  Assistant/Associate Professor in Meat Science/Muscle Biology
Department: Animal Biosciences 

Position Description:
 

The University of Guelph invites applications from qualified candidates for a faculty position in Meat Science/Muscle Biology at either the Assistant or Associate Professor level. This is a tenure-track position within the Department of Animal Biosciences in the Ontario Agriculture College.

The successful candidate will join a vibrant, innovative, and diverse faculty team in the Department of Animal Biosciences and have access to a recently remodeled Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) regulated abattoir and processing facility.  The University of Guelph has world class research stations in dairy, beef, swine, sheep, poultry, and fish production, along with strong relationships with local meat and poultry processors.  The successful candidate is expected to develop strong working relationships with industry at provincial and national levels.

The successful candidate will have a PhD in the field of animal science, meat science, muscle biology or other relevant discipline, and have a strong and active research track record, evident by high-quality, peer-reviewed publications. The candidate should show potential for pursuing research funding, both individually and collaboratively and to engage in research that complements, and collaborates with other faculty members in the department, college, and across the University.

The new faculty member will have a strong teaching background and will be expected to teach core courses to undergraduate students in the Bachelor of Science Animal Biology major and Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Animal Science major.

Key Responsibilities:

• Secure research funding and lead an innovative, dynamic, collaborative and high-quality research program that may include fundamental muscle biology/meat science, molecular and(or) cellular aspects of muscle/adipose tissue development, and pre- or post-harvest technologies that impact fresh meat quality and the conversion of muscle to meat.
• Work with leading scientists in related disciplines in Animal Biosciences, Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, Food Science, Plant Agriculture, and the Ontario Veterinary College to examine relationships of genetics, nutrition, management, animal health, and other factors to growth and(or) meat/product quality.
• Teach courses at undergraduate and graduate levels; supervise graduate students.
• Engage in research that complements, and collaborates with other faculty members in the department, college, and across the University.

Minimum Qualifications:

• PhD in Animal Science, Meat Science, Muscle Biology, or a related field. Post-doctoral experience considered a strong asset.
• Demonstrate clear potential for excellence in research and teaching.
• Experience in securing research funding and independently managing research projects.
• Strong and active research track record, evident by high-quality, peer-reviewed publications. Strong communication skills at an academic level
• A commitment to teaching and mentorship at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse audiences.
• Skills in fundamental muscle biology/meat science, molecular and (or) cellular aspects of muscle/adipose tissue development, and pre- or post-harvest technologies that impact fresh meat quality and the conversion of muscle to meat.
• Demonstrated skills or knowledge in livestock harvesting, carcass fabrication, meat processing technology, quality assurance/HACCP, considered an asset.
• Demonstrated outreach/industry involvement in the field of meat science/muscle biology  considered an asset.

The Department of Animal Biosciences Animal Biosciences | (uoguelph.ca) is Canada’s top-ranked department in the field, with exceptional expertise across a wide range of species and fields, including animal behaviour and welfare, genetics and genomics, physiology, and nutrition. The faculty of the department have access to modern, world-class animal housing facilities as well as an in-house high performance computing cluster. The department currently has 26 faculty and is home to the Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, the Centre for Nutritional Modelling, and houses many faculty affiliated with the Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare. The Department actively fosters a culture that is positive, collegial, highly interdisciplinary, collaborative and respectful of all members.

Part of the Ontario Agricultural College | University of Guelph (uoguelph.ca), the Animal Biosciences department has a long history of achievements in serving the agriculture and agri-food industries within Ontario and beyond. The University of Guelph recently invested approximately $2.5 million for completion of renovations to the Meat Laboratory with upgrades to the kill floor, coolers, and for ready-to-eat meat processing.  A new (2022) $15 million + Beef Research Centre has been constructed, housing 288 mature cows and 80 replacement heifers, along with a 24 pen feedlot (288 head capacity). In addition to the barn, new research station office and wet lab space have been constructed, featuring freezer/sample storage space, a wet lab for on-site sample processing, a "clean" lab for sample preparation  for genomic/"omics" processing, and new researcher/student space.  A new (2023) $20 million swine research centre was recently completed with the flexibility to handle research from a wide range of disciplines. It features adjustable housing in nursery and grow-finish rooms with a capacity of 720 nursery pigs and 600 finishing hogs. There is also a farrowing barn accommodating 70 sows plus litters, a breeding area for 164 sows and a gestation area for 300 sows. The facility has advanced technology integration, including sensors throughout the barn for better management, a precision electronic feed system and data analysis to tailor feed formulations, along with research space with centrifuge, drying oven, fume hood, -80°C freezer. A new poultry research facility with housing areas for broilers, laying hens, pullets and turkeys is currently in the design stages.  The combination of these commitments clearly demonstrates University of Guelph's dedication to livestock research – this position will be well supported through these and other efforts.

The University of Guelph is the third largest employer in Guelph, a city of approximately 144,000 people, located about an hour drive west of Toronto, Ontario. University of Guelph is a top-ranked comprehensive university in Canada with an enrolment of over 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students across over 40 academic units. The University is known for its commitment to student learning, innovative research, and collaboration with world-class partners. It is a unique place, with transformative research and teaching and a distinctive campus culture. People who learn and work here are shaped and inspired by a shared purpose: To Improve Life. Reflecting that shared purpose in every experience connected to our university positions us to create positive change, here and around the world. Our university community shares a profound sense of social responsibility, a drive for international development, and an obligation to address global issues.

Application Process:

If you are a current employee of the University of Guelph you must apply on the internal Career Page to be considered as an internal applicant.

Review of applications and nominations will begin on Feb 28, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled. Interested applicants should submit the following materials (preferably as a single PDF file):

1. A cover letter.
2. A curriculum vitae.
3. A maximum 3 page cover letter in which you provide a research statement that describes your research plan; how your research aligns with existing or emerging areas of research within the Department and how you embed Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) considerations in your research.
4. A maximum 2-page teaching statement including teaching philosophy; evidence of effective teaching; how you would embed EDI in teaching practice (please identify areas that you would be interested in teaching); and
5. The names and contact information of three persons who will serve as references.

• Questions about the position can be addressed to Dr. Grégoy Bédécarrats at: gbedecar@uoguelph.ca
• Questions about the application process can be addressed to Diana Rau at: drau@uoguelph.ca

Date Posted: 01/29/2025
Deadline: 02/28/2025 or until a suitable candidate is found.

This position is represented by the University of Guelph Faculty Association (UGFA).

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

The University recognizes that applicants may have had obligations outside of work that have negatively impacted their record of achievements (e.g., parental, elder care, and/or medical). You are not required to disclose these obligations in the hiring process. If you choose to do so, the University will ensure that these obligations do not negatively impact the assessment of your qualifications for the position.

The University of Guelph resides on the ancestral lands of the Attawandaron people and the treaty lands and territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit and we offer our respect to our Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee and Métis neighbours as we strive to strengthen our relationships with them.

At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion (https://uoguel.ph/ox2p9) is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.

If you require a medical accommodation during the recruitment or selection process, please contact Occupational Health and Wellness at 519-824-4120 x52674.