Assistant/Associate Professor of Animal Behavior

Description

Stephens College invites applications for a full-time 9-month non-tenure track position in Animal Behavior (rank at hire commensurate with experience). The ideal candidate will join a nascent Animal Behavior program and help lead its development and expansion. We are most interested in a faculty member with expertise in one or more of the following areas: Applied Animal Behavior; Human-Animal Interactions; Animal Training, Care & Welfare; Conservation & Wildlife Behavior; Biological Basis of Behavior; or Veterinary Behavior. We are seeking a collaborative scientist who complements, and expands upon, the teaching, research, and outreach capacity of an interdisciplinary team including biology, psychology, and equestrian science faculty.

Stephens College is a dynamic women’s college invested in immersive and experiential learning. The new Animal Behavior program is a key component to the College’s strategic plan and leverages our existing equestrian program, a new collaborative animal research track for undergraduates (WiSR: Women in STEM Research), and a campus-wide commitment to the well-being of companion and service animals to provide expanded opportunities for student advancement and faculty development. We have strategic local, regional, and national partnerships with animal research, welfare, and outreach organizations in support of our animal-related programs, and the new faculty member will play a key role in setting future priorities, including increased community involvement and service.

Preference will be given to candidates with a plan to engage our campus and community in the program’s activities, undergraduate students in their research program, and fellow faculty and staff in developing new initiatives promoting animal welfare and/or healthy and sustainable human-animal interactions. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to contribute to an expanding set of opportunities for collaborative and undergraduate research in a small college setting, including the new WiSR Program, a research and education collaboration with a partner veterinary school. The specific area of research is open.

Job Duties:

1. Develop and teach undergraduate courses in animal behavior and psychology
2. Development and expand animal-focused programs on and off campus
3. Academic advising for undergraduate students
4. Develop and pursue a research program with undergraduate students
5. Provide service to the college and profession
6. Assist in development of curricula and programs within the School of Health Sciences

Requirements

Education and Experience:

Essential:

1. Earned PhD with animal behavior research focus, and/or a DVM
2. Experience managing an animal facility
3. Experience teaching at the collegiate or university level
4. Record of research accomplishments and program suited for undergraduate student participation
5. Ability to implement innovative and diverse teaching styles to a wide variety of learners
6. Excellent collaborative and communication skills

Highly Desired:

1. Postdoctoral research experience
2. Experience mentoring undergraduate research students
3. Academic advising of undergraduate students

Founded in 1833, Stephens College is the second-oldest women's college in the United States, dedicated to providing innovative, experiential, and career-focused education across various disciplines. Located in Columbia, Missouri, Stephens College continues to be a leader in women's education, fostering a community where students are empowered to lead, innovate, and excel. The college also provides flexible, co-educational master’s degrees and certificates for working professionals, and is home to a co-educational Conservatory for the Performing Arts.

Ranked (over and over again) as one of the best college towns in America, Columbia, Missouri, is home to 36,000+ college students and 118,000 residents. Columbia — conveniently located approximately 100 miles from both Kansas City and St. Louis — has it all: big-time college sports, film, music and arts festivals, a high-energy arts community, amazing recreation, and a great downtown with lots of places to eat, shop, snack and check out the latest bands. The Columbia community offers outstanding health care options, as well as excellent educational opportunities for every level of student (including our own Children’s School).

Be a part of this amazing community of innovative thinkers, doers and drea