Career Center

University of Wisconsin – River Falls
                College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences
Assistant Professor of Animal Science – Canine Behavior and Training

Department of Animal and Food Science

This is a full-time, nine-month, tenure-track undergraduate faculty position (100% teaching) at the rank of Assistant Professor in the Department of Animal and Food Science. The standard teaching load is 12 credit hours per semester. The Animal Science major has experienced considerable enrollment growth, serving over 800 students.  Forty percent of those students are in the companion animal option.  The successful candidate will demonstrate strong interests, experience, and ability to teach and develop the companion animal behavior and training courses with an emphasis on the canine species.  Other teaching opportunities may include courses in companion animal management or core animal science curriculum depending on departmental needs, the individual’s interest, educational background, and skill level. Teaching and research facilities include newly renovated state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratory spaces, greenhouse facility, as well as a 475-acre multi-enterprise livestock and crop laboratory farm.  More information about the college and department can be found at: http://www.uwrf.edu/CAFES/ 

UW-River Falls strives to be a leader in collaborative and undergraduate research. We, therefore, seek faculty members who have an interest in or experience with faculty-student collaborative research, scholarship, and creative activities. Faculty members are expected to accomplish a record of scholarly achievement, including (but not limited to) mentoring of undergraduate research projects with opportunities to collaborate with other disciplines in the College. Opportunities exist for optional summer employment through teaching, research grants, internship supervision, and other funding sources. Anticipated appointment date: August 21, 2023.

Deadline for application submission is February 5, 2023.  

Please see the University’s website for the application process, complete position description and qualifications at https://jobs.uwrf.edu

The University of Wisconsin – River Falls is part of the Minneapolis-St. Paul statistical area. Women/Minorities/Disability/Vet AA/EEO.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will work with existing companion animal faculty to develop a university-level canine behavior and training program centered on science-based humane methodologies.  Primary teaching responsibilities will include developing new coursework and modifying existing coursework in undergraduate canine behavior and training. Examples of course content may include introductory canine behavior and training, advanced canine behavior and training, and disorders of companion animal behavior.

Other teaching opportunities may involve courses in companion animal management or core animal science curriculum depending on departmental needs, the individual’s interest, educational background, and skill level.  Additional responsibilities include academic advising to undergraduate students and advising to student organizations and clubs in the department.  Active participation is expected in department-sponsored events such as Academic Quadrathlon, regional canine competitions and events such as stock dog trials, agility, and others.  The individual will also establish and maintain affiliations with companion animal groups and associations at the local, state, regional, and national levels.  The successful candidate would be expected to continue to advance their knowledge and level of expertise in the field of canine behavior and training. 

UW-River Falls strives to be a leader in collaborative and undergraduate research. We, therefore, seek faculty members who have an interest in or experience with faculty-student collaborative research, scholarship, and creative activities. Faculty members are expected to accomplish a record of scholarly achievement, including (but not limited to) mentoring of undergraduate research projects with opportunities to collaborate with other disciplines in the College.

 Qualifications Required:

• D. in Animal Science, Animal Behavior (companion animal focus) or a related field, or a licensed DVM with relevant canine behavior and training experience at the time of appointment. ABD candidates will be considered for a conditional appointment and must complete their Ph.D. within one year of the date of the appointment.
• Demonstrated experience in canine training and canine behavior modification.
• Strong interest in developing a broad canine behavior and training program at the university level.
• Professional priority for achieving excellence in undergraduate teaching.
• Strong interest in or demonstrated ability in teaching college-level courses in animal science.
• Strong interest in and ability to provide academic advising to undergraduate students.
• Well-developed and effective oral and written communication skills.

Qualifications Preferred:

• Record of interest, involvement, and contacts in the animal behavior and training industry.
• Experience or interest in canine assistance training program development.
• Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (DACVB), or targeted certifications such as Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB) with canine focus, Karen Pryor Academy Certification (KPA), Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge & Skills Assessed (CPDT-KSA), Certified Behavior Consultant Canine – Knowledge Assessed (CBCC-KA).
• Interest in developing community-based training program and interest in interdisciplinary collaboration with university programs, dependent on candidate’s interests, ability, and input.
• Documented evidence of successful teaching at the undergraduate level.
• Interest in and ability to advise co-curricular activities such as student organizations, internships, and/or undergraduate research.