McGill University’s Department of Animal Science invites applications for an Industry-Research Chair in Sustainable Life of Dairy Cattle. The Chair will play a key role in the department’s growing group of researchers with international leadership in the area of dairy-herd management. The candidate should be internationally renowned with a strong record of academic excellence in a fundamental discipline such as dairy-herd management, animal welfare and behaviour, cow comfort, or animal health and longevity, with a view to improving the profitability of dairy farms while respecting industry and consumer concerns for animal well-being. The Chair holder is expected to develop and maintain an independent research program of the highest calibre, supported by external research funds (in addition to the program funding), while also playing a key collaborative role in many of the current academic endeavors such as assisted reproductive technologies, genetic selection studies, health management, agricultural engineering, farm economics, sustainable agriculture and food security. The Candidate would contribute to teaching programs in the Department of Animal Science, and supervise and train graduate students and post-doctoral fellows. A thorough understanding of, and interaction with, the local dairy industry is critical to a successful program; to this end, an ability (or a commitment to learn) to communicate in French would be a strong asset.
The successful applicant will fill the NSERC-Novalait-DFC Research Chair in Sustainable Life of Dairy Cattle, with significant funding from both Provincial and Federal levels. The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) is committed to keeping Canada at the forefront of the global race in science and innovation. Its national network and expertise with the research community is seen as a bridge to help access Canada’s wealth of R&D knowledge, people and facilities, and to use the academic research system as a competitive edge. Their Industrial Research Chairs (IRC) program assists universities in pursuing new directions, or in building on existing strengths to achieve the critical mass required for a major research endeavour in science and engineering of interest to industry. Novalait Inc. is jointly owned and operated by the Dairy Producers and Processors of Québec. Its goal is the promotion, development and furthering of knowledge and innovation with a view to ensuring the long-term growth and sustainability of the dairy industry in Québec. Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) is the national policy, lobbying and promotional organization that strives to create stable conditions for the Canadian dairy industry, today and in the future. It works to maintain policies that both foster the viability of Canadian dairy farmers and promote dairy products and their health benefits.
McGill’s Department of Animal Science has solid links with industry, and is equipped with an array of laboratories and equipment to carry out fundamental research in cell and molecular biology, microbiology, immunology, nutrition, bioinformatics, and food safety. Depending on the individual’s research strengths, there is extensive potential for interaction with other units such as Agricultural Economics, Plant Science, Bioresource Engineering, Natural Resource Sciences, as well as the Institute of Parasitology, the School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, and the Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain (comprising researchers from across the entire University – Medicine, Dentistry and Science). In addition, there is a strong history of collaboration with other Universities and Research Centres throughout Québec and further afield. The Macdonald Campus Farm, which includes an 88-tie stall Cattle Complex, is situated directly on Campus and offers exceptional opportunities for observational and experimental research in dairy cattle. In addition to its research mission, the dairy herd ranks among the highest in the Province of Québec for both production and reproductive performance. Valacta – Québec’s Centre of Expertise in Dairy Production – is also situated on Campus, facilitating excellent research opportunities.
The Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences is located on the Macdonald Campus, 30 km from Montreal’s city centre and the downtown Campus. It is in close proximity to the Montreal life sciences and pharmaceutical sectors. The Campus comprises 650 hectares which, in addition to the farm, houses the Morgan Arboretum, the Emile A. Lods Agronomy Research Centre, experimental field stations, and modern student facilities (libraries and active-learning teaching laboratories). The Faculty has an exceptionally strong record in research, and graduate and undergraduate training in agricultural, environmental, food, and human nutrition sciences, as well as molecular biology, biotechnology and bioresource engineering. The Faculty actively supports inter-disciplinary teaching and research, and contributes to McGill’s global leadership position through numerous international research and field training programs. Additional information concerning McGill, its Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, and the Department of Animal Science can be found on their respective web sites (www.mcgill.ca, www.mcgill.ca/macdonald, and www.mcgill.ca/animal).
The appointment is expected to be made at the senior level (although exceptional junior candidates may also be considered). Applications, including a curriculum vitae, statement of teaching philosophy and research interests, as well as the names of three references (who would only be contacted – with permission – in the final stages of the process), should be submitted to:
Dr. Kevin Wade, Chair, Search Committee
Department of Animal Science
McGill University Macdonald Campus
21111 Lakeshore Road
Ste. Anne de Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9 CANADA
or, preferably, sent electronically to kevin.wade@mcgill.ca
The closing date for applications is June 16, 2014 (or until filled).
McGill University is committed to equity in employment and diversity. It welcomes applications from indigenous peoples, visible minorities, ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, women, persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities and others who may contribute to further diversification. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, priority will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.
