Professor Food Science Jobs in Kansas (NOW HIRING)

We are seeking applicants for a full-time Assistant/Associate Professor, Beef Cow-Calf Nutrition and Management. This position is designed for an individual with a strong background in ruminant nutrition and a passion for advancing the science and practice of cattle nutrition and management. The incumbent will develop an active research program relevant to cow/calf nutrition and management. Responsibilities include service as the faculty manager of the Cow-Calf Unit. Teaching emphasis will include undergraduate courses in beef cattle management, graduate courses within discipline expertise, and other courses based on expertise and departmental need including both in-person and online formats. Mentoring undergraduate students with interest in beef cow/calf production is expected.
The Department of Animal Sciences and Industry is the largest department (approximately 1,200 undergraduates and 60 graduate students) in Kansas State University's College of Agriculture. The department's Cow-Calf Unit currently operates on approximately 2,000 deeded acres, 3,000 leased acres of native tallgrass prairie, and 1,000-1,300 acres of cover crops. The herd consists of approximately 325 commercial cows, 130 heifers, and 15 breeding bulls. Opportunities exist to collaborate with other beef cattle facilities within the K-State system including the Purebred Beef Unit, Agricultural Research Center-Hays, Southeast Research-Extension Center-Parsons, Feedlot/Stocker Units, and Konza Prairie. Opportunities also exist for collaboration with research involving cow-calf interactions with ecological health and function, prescribed fire, and control of invasive forage species.
Position Available: December 6, 2026 (negotiable)
Responsibilities:
Research (47.5%):
o Faculty manager of the Cow/Calf Unit.
o Develop an active research program relevant to cow/calf nutrition and management; collaborative and systems research is desirable.
o Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and industry stakeholders to translate research findings into practical applications.
Teaching (47.5%):
o Teach undergraduate courses in beef cattle management, and graduate courses within the discipline expertise of the individual.
o Mentor undergraduate and graduate students with a specific interest in cow/calf nutrition and management.
Service (5%)
o Participate in departmental, college, and university committees, shared governance, and administrative roles not otherwise assigned
o Participate in professional organizations
o Contribute to the public good, consistent with K-State's land-grant mission.

The Department of Animal Sciences and Industry (ASI) serves students, livestock producers and the animal and food industries through teaching, research and education. The Dept. of ASI prepares students for careers in the animal and food industries.
The curriculum includes the study of nutrition, reproduction, genetics, behavior, meat science and food science with production, management, and agribusiness skills. Students are given sound professional and scientific skills, a broad education and experience for contributing to our communities across the nation and abroad. Students receive excellent advisement and mentorship from faculty and professional staff and participate in extracurricular activities to develop skills to become industry leaders.
Kansas State University is a land grant university located in Manhattan, KS, with a current student population of more than 20,000. The Department of Animal Sciences and Industry at Kansas State University is a world leader, known for its reputable research dedicated to animal agriculture and its training of quality undergraduate and graduate students. Beef production is a huge contributor to the Kansas economy, and the importance of agriculture to the state of Kansas is clearly recognized by the guiding document for Kansas State University as it moves forward: K-State's Plan for Economic Prosperity in Kansas (https://www.k-state.edu/research/economic-prosperity/). Foundational focus areas of global leadership for K-State include Food and Agricultural Systems Innovation, Digital Agriculture and Advanced Analytics, and Biosecurity and Biodefense.

This position is On-site.

All employees must reside in the United States when they begin working to comply with state law. K-State is unable to provide remote or hybrid work opportunities for residents of the state of Idaho.

Minimum Qualifications:

• o Ph.D. at the time of hire in Animal Science or a closely related field.
  o Practical knowledge and experience in beef cow/calf production.
  o Ability to develop and lead a relevant research program and secure extramural funding.
  o Aptitude and enthusiasm for teaching and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students.
  o Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

The degree requirement is necessary for accreditation purposes and to ensure candidates possess the specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities that can only be attained through a formal educational program at this level.

Preferred Qualifications:

• o Proven record of research activity in ruminant nutrition and cow-calf management, consistent with experience level.
  o Experience in research with grazing/forage-fed cattle.
  o Demonstrated success in university-level teaching.
  o Evidence of being a successful team member and leader, including the ability to collaborate with colleagues, staff, students, industry stakeholders, and research teams.

Additional Role Information:

• o Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment
  o A valid driver's license at the time of employment

Sponsorship eligibility:

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship

Please submit the following documents:

• Applicants should complete the application process through K-State's PageUp recruiting system at https://careers.k-state.edu/ and upload the following:
  1. Letter of interest to include how your expertise aligns with the position, including research interests and goals as well as teaching and mentoring philosophies (2-3 pages)
  2. Curriculum vitae
  3. Name and contact information for three professional references
  For more information, contact:
  Dr. Evan Titgemeyer, Search Committee Chair, at etitgeme@ksu.edu

Applications close on: September 8, 2026

$108,000 - $125,000