A new strategic university-wide emphasis on Global Systems Science, and university-wide investment into Agricultural Research, Education, Extension and Technology Transfer (AGREETT) program (http://www.cfans.umn.edu/agreett), has prompted the University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) into hiring a cluster of at least six faculty members in the broad area of infectious disease across its three Departments. The Veterinary Population Medicine Department (VPM) invites applications for a tenured or tenure-track faculty position in Bioinformation-Big Data. The appointment is expected to be at the rank of assistant, associate or professor positions. The final rank and terms of appointment will depend on the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate consistent with collegiate and University policies.
The primary goal of the position is to conduct research, extension and outreach on agricultural issues of veterinary importance with applications for veterinary population health sciences. Outreach here is defined broadly, for example, as the development and utilization of new technologies, such as software or applications for practitioners, producers or researchers, educational and training programs or capacity building activities. We seek candidates with expertise on analysis of large datasets, data analytics (mathematical modeling, the application of computational approaches such as machine learning, network building and others) and an interest in partnering with the campus’ growing cadre of data science researchers to address challenges of the animal industries. Successful applicants will have access to large volumes of data supporting analyses in near-real time. For example, but not limited to, the development of software in collaboration with laboratories connected through the National Animal Health Monitoring System. The candidate will be encouraged to develop their research and outreach plans in collaboration with strategic partners, such as the University of Minnesota Informatics Institute and Minnesota Supercomputing Institute. Opportunities for collaborative research exist involving agricultural issues of veterinary importance for the state and beyond. These may have immediate practical application, for example, the analysis of Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory results over large agricultural production systems to understand emerging pathogen dynamics associated with different animal dynamics (eg. pig flows within a system), analysis of patterns of biologic variation captured by big data such as genomic, metabolomic and transcriptomic data, or environmental exposures and dynamics. Other areas of emphasis may include antibiotic resistance and food safety, other environmentally related population health issues, or the development of computational approaches to understand disease in agriculture animals. It is expected that the research program will have relevance to agricultural animal health and disease, advance health and productivity, and provide support to the growing needs of private and public partners in the State. This position is expected to provide leadership to the CVM on issues such as (big) data analysis, software development, and translation of research results to outreach and educational programs, in collaboration with other faculty at the CVM and UMN, with an impact on the agricultural industry of the country and State. The successful candidate will establish a research program that complements our existing strengths, develops cross-disciplinary collaborations, and attracts State, federal, and private funding.
Candidates must be able to establish and sustain an independent, extramurally-funded research program and participate in the outreach and teaching missions of the Department and College. The successful candidate will contribute to one or more of the College of Veterinary Medicine’s research signature programs (https://www.vetmed.umn.edu/research/signature-programs) and strengthen cross-disciplinary collaborations at the university and Academic Health Center. Among the nation’s top 10 public research universities, the University of Minnesota is committed to dynamic research culture supported by state-of-the-art core research facilities.
RESPONSIBILITIES
This position is approximately 80% research and 20% outreach/teaching. The successful applicant is expected to develop (Assistant Professor) or to currently have (advanced rank) an active externally funded research program, and the desire and capacity to participate in teaching at the undergraduate, graduate, and/or professional levels.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Candidates must have a PhD and demonstrated experience with analysis of large datasets and translation of research results to outreach and educational programs. Postdoctoral training is expected but not necessary with evidence of innovative and collaborative research that is published in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals. Although it is expected that the candidate will have some type of disciplinary training, no specific discipline will be preferred, and those with training on biology (veterinary medicine, public health, agriculture, etc.) and STEM (mathematics, engineering, computational biology, physics, bioinformatics, etc.) are equally encouraged to apply.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Candidates with a DVM or equivalent foreign degree, with experience on research and outreach in agricultural issues of veterinary importance, and/or population-based experience in (big) data analysis will be given preference.
SALARY AND START-UP PACKAGE
Highly competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications. The candidate will be offered newly-renovated laboratory space in support of interdisciplinary science. The University offers an excellent benefits package. For example, the University pays 100% of the premium for Faculty Basic Life Insurance as well as 100% of the premium for Faculty Group Income Disability Insurance. Faculty contributes 5.5% of their annual salary and the University contributes 10% toward the Faculty Retirement Plan. There are also two Optional Retirement Plans available. For more benefits information see https://humanresources.umn.edu/benefits. START DATE: Negotiable, after a suitable candidate is identified.
APPLICATIONS: Applications will be accepted and reviewed upon receipt until the position is filled. Qualified applicants should apply online at http://z.umn.edu/agreettbigdata, Job ID: 315740. Required documents include a curriculum vitae, a description of research/career goals and priorities, a letter of intent outlining professional record and academic career goals, and names and contact information of three professional references. Inquiries about the application process should be directed to Ms. Anna Jones at bystr005@umn.edu. Inquiries about the position should be directed to the chair of the search committee, Dr. Andres Perez, Associate Professor, at aperez@umn.edu.
The Veterinary Population Medicine Department encourages all qualified candidates to apply, particularly women and other under-represented minorities, and candidates with research and teaching experience in multicultural, multiracial settings. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer and is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its programs, facilities and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status or sexual orientation. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.
ABOUT MINNESOTA
The Twin Cities metropolitan area (St Paul/Minneapolis) is the 16th-largest metropolitan area in the country and ranks among the country’s most desirable places to live, offering exceptional cultural, social, and recreational opportunities. The public school system in Minnesota is excellent and the University of Minnesota Day Care Center is among the best in the nation. Livability.com ranked Minneapolis as the healthiest city in the U.S in 2015.
The Twin Cities hosts 4 major professional sports teams, are a cultural center for theater, opera, museums, great shopping and have an international airport providing a direct connection to most major cities. State parks are plentiful and hiking, skiing, swimming, boating and fishing are within minutes of most anywhere in the Twin Cities area. You can live in rural areas with only a 30 minute commute to the Veterinary College. Really, it is (mostly) not that cold and people love it here! For more information please see the following websites: https://humanresources.umn.edu/find-job/rap and http://www.exploreminnesota.com.