Position Announcement: Two Postdoctoral Positions in Animal Welfare

September 26, 2017 — Iowa State University

Iowa State University announces the availability of two postdoctoral positions offered in conjunction with a recently approved Higher Education Grant: Tools to develop animal welfare knowledge and skills for the next generation of food animal veterinarians.

Description

Veterinarians are identified as key advocates for animal health and welfare, and knowledge about animal welfare is among the core competencies required of graduating veterinarians in the United States. Animal welfare consistently ranks among the top contemporary issues prioritized in the veterinary curriculum, but fewer than half of veterinary colleges in the United States offer formal education in animal welfare and there are no standardized mechanisms for evaluating animal welfare knowledge.

Two postdoctoral positions are associated with a multi-year, large-scale regional project designed to strengthen animal welfare education in the veterinary curriculum, with emphasis on food animal production. The project involves Iowa State University, Ohio State University and University of Minnesota, with these postdoctoral positions based in Iowa. Specifically, the postdoctoral associates will be responsible for the following project objectives:

1. To develop an online 1-credit animal welfare course suitable for freshman level veterinary students
2. To develop and deliver 1-week experiential courses (clinical rotations) on swine and dairy cattle farms for skill development in animal welfare assessment.
3. To develop effective multiple-choice examination questions to evaluate student competency in animal welfare principles and practices.

Closing date: October 31, 2017. Start date: January 1, 2018

Qualifications

The ideal candidates must have a PhD in applied ethology (or similarly relevant discipline) and/or a DVM degree. Required qualifications include computer skills, demonstrated interest in animal welfare science, higher education and production animal medicine, and a driver's license. Excellent skills in communication and team work are also required. Preferred qualifications include teaching and livestock production experience.

For More Information

Please contact Dr. Suzanne Millman (smillman@iastate.edu, Veterinary Diagnostic & Production Animal Medicine Department) and/or Dr. Anna Johnson (johnsona@iastate.edu, Department of Animal Science).

To Apply

Please send the following documents to Dr. Suzanne Millman (smillman@iastate.edu) by or before October 31, 2017:

1. Resume/Curriculum Vitae
2. Letter of Application/Cover Letter
3. Contact Information for Three References

About Iowa State University

Iowa State University is classified as a Carnegie Foundation Doctoral/Research University-Extensive, a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), and ranked by U.S. News and World Report as one of the top public universities in the nation. Over 34,000 students are enrolled, and served by over 6,100 faculty and staff (see www.iastate.edu). Ames, Iowa is a progressive community of 60,000, located approximately 30 minutes north of Des Moines, and recently voted second best most livable small city in the nation (see www.amescvb.com).

Iowa State University is an equal opportunity employer committed to excellence through diversity and strongly encourages applications from all qualified applicants, including women, underrepresented minorities, and veterans. ISU is responsive to the needs of dual career couples, is dedicated to work-life balance through an array of policies, and is an NSF ADVANCE institution.

All faculty members are expected to exhibit and convey good citizenship within the program, the department, college, and university activities and collegial interactions, and maintain the highest standards of integrity and ethical behavior.