Founded in 1893 as a Land Grant University, Montana State University (MSU) is composed of eight academic colleges and a graduate school and boasts a friendly, supportive faculty and campus environment. Currently, the University hosts an enrollment of over 14,000 students, including approximately 1,900 graduate students. MSU is classified as one of 108 U.S. Research Universities (very high research activity) by the Carnegie Foundation.

MSU is located in Bozeman, Montana, an extended community of about 70,000 nestled in the Rocky Mountains in southwest Montana. In addition to providing access to an extraordinary ecosystem for teaching and research programs, Bozeman is renowned for year-round recreational and cultural opportunities to include access to world class ski areas, multiple blue ribbon trout streams and the Gallatin National Forest. The local airport is served by four national airlines and is the second busiest airport in the state.

Named an All American City, Bozeman boasts high-quality medical facilities, a very low crime rate, many fine restaurants, acclaimed public and private schools, a symphony orchestra and choir, an annual opera, and nationally known events such as the Sweet Pea Festival of the Arts held in early August of each year. Powder Magazine identified Bozeman, with "three distinctly different" major ski resorts within an hour's drive, as the number one place to live and ski in its November 2010 Magazine. Bizjournals.com ranked Bozeman #2 on the list of American Dreamtowns - small towns that offer the best quality of life without metropolitan hassles. The K-12 educational system, growing reputation of Montana State University, and pristine natural environment of the area combine to make Bozeman one of America's most desirable university towns. Bozeman is located in the beautiful Gallatin Valley, 90 miles north of Yellowstone National Park.

The Department of Animal and Range Sciences aspires to have regional (and national) prominence in animal genetic research. Through years of focused selection of sheep and cattle lines and access to modern molecular techniques, this person will be able to utilize these resources to further the livestock industry. Resources include Line-4 Hereford cattle lines along with lines of sheep selected for high and low reproduction. Utilizing these animal resources will allow the person selected to enhance livestock health management, reproductive efficiency, and adaptation to environmental issues.

The Animal and Range Science program at Montana State University is growing, and this position is one of a cluster of new faculty hires. Other positions include a ruminal/gastrointestinal tract microbiologist and a range ecologist. This position would serve as one of the nuclei for the department’s beef cattle and sheep research programs, applied and basic.

The successful candidate will be expected to develop a competitive research program focused on ruminant physiology and/or quantitative genetics. A physiology geneticist would emphasize metabolic systems and interactions at the molecular and organismal levels with reproductive physiology, nutrition, and adaptation to environmental changes. A quantitative geneticist would emphasize research efforts on computational genetics related to production issues. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to undergraduate and graduate courses, mentor, recruit and retain undergraduate and graduate students, and participate in outreach activities. As a tenure-track faculty member, the successful candidate will be expected to publish in refereed journals, secure extramural funding, meet demands of teaching and advising, and provide appropriate outreach, departmental and university service.

Cooperative research within the Department, with other departments at Montana State University, at the Northern Ag Research Center in Havre, with the USDA ARS, (Miles City, MT and Dubois, ID) will be strongly encouraged. Teaching expectations will include primary responsibility for a junior-senior-level course in animal genetics/breeding, shared responsibility for other departmental undergraduate courses, and one graduate course in the candidates’ area of expertise (alternate year). The new state-of-the-art Animal Bioscience Building is equipped to deliver on-line courses. Local field research facilities are available at the Bozeman Agriculture Research and Teaching (BART) Farm, Ft Ellis Research Farm, and Red Bluff Research Ranch.

A physiology/quantitative geneticist, with some expertise in molecular mechanisms that influence the organism and its behavior, would be an invaluable resource for supporting the “managing grazing livestock” future area of excellence identified by Animal and Range Sciences faculty. The individual would interact and complement the following programs: animal physiology (cattle, equine), animal nutrition (cattle, sheep), and rangeland and wildlife habitat ecology and management. Further, utilizing existing resources to answer tomorrow’s questions on selection to enhance health management, adaptation to climate change/environment, and profitability would make this a rewarding position.

1. An earned Ph.D. degree in Animal Science or related discipline.
2. Knowledge of quantitative or functional genomics.
3. Demonstrated accomplishments in research and evidence of teaching experience.

1. Evidence for potential excellence in creating and delivering university-level lecture courses.
2. Ability to interact positively with other disciplines within the university and with external constituents.
3. Potential to secure extramural funding from multiple sources.
4. Knowledge of livestock management strategies and production systems.

• (1) A letter of application describing how his/her training, expertise, and talents unique to fulfill the required and preferred qualifications for this position, and
• (2) a current resume or curriculum vitae, and
• (3) the names, addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses of three current professional references, and
• (4) Selected publications.

  Missing materials and information may not be requested and may result in your application not being considered for the position.

  Electronic submissions in PDF format are preferred, and must have the applicant's signature on the letter of application. For electronic submittals, please indicate "Applicant - Search #11164-2" in the subject line of the email.

  • Submit materials to:
  • Dr. James Berardinelli
  • Animal and Range Sciences
  • Montana State University
  • PO Box 172900
  • Bozeman, MT 59717-2900
  • (406)994-5574
  • jgb@montana.edu

    In order to receive Veterans Preference during the application review process, it is highly recommended that the required forms are included at the time you submit your application materials. Click here for the forms and information regarding Veterans Preference. Important note: Your preference form is submitted to a different location than your application materials. A DD214 is not a required document.