Animal and Veterinary Sciences (Meat Sciences), Assistant Professor

Job Details•Pomona, CA

5d•$96,800 - $111,350•Onsite

About The Position

Cal Poly Pomona invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences in the Don B. Huntley College of Agriculture. The position focuses on teaching, research and scholarship, and service, with an emphasis on meat science and applied meat systems. The average teaching load is 12 weighted teaching units per semester. During the first two years, assigned time reduces the load to 9 WTUs per semester to support development of pedagogy and research or scholarly activities. The faculty member will teach undergraduate courses focused on the Pre-Veterinary Science/Animal Science program and, if qualified, courses in Animal Health Science. They will develop and teach undergraduate and graduate courses and hands-on laboratory experiences in areas such as meat science, processing, carcass evaluation, livestock harvest, meat quality, and food safety. The position includes conducting scholarly or applied work relevant to the candidate’s expertise, seeking grant funding and collaborations, and participating in department, college, and university service. Service includes curriculum development, student advising, program assessment and development, and recruitment and retention of underrepresented minorities. The position is a nine-month academic-year appointment. Salary and rank are commensurate with experience and qualifications; the posting lists a salary range of $96,800–$111,350. The position is open until filled, with first consideration given to completed applications received by December 15, 2026. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States. Faculty are expected to establish an on-campus presence, and CSU-related work may not be performed outside California.

Requirements

Earned PhD and/or DVM by the time of appointment in Meat Science, Meat Processing, Food Science with a meat emphasis, Animal Science with a meat science emphasis, Muscle Biology, or a closely related discipline. Candidates with a related degree must demonstrate substantial preparation and experience in meat science and meat processing.
Demonstrated professional, research, outreach, and instructional experience in applied meat systems, including one or more of livestock harvest; humane handling and slaughter systems; carcass evaluation and fabrication; meat processing; meat product development; or meat quality and safety.
Ability to develop and teach undergraduate and graduate courses and hands-on laboratory experiences in meat science, processing, carcass evaluation, livestock harvest, meat quality, food safety, or related areas, including general animal science courses.
Preparedness to teach skills-based laboratories in appropriate instructional facilities.
Working knowledge of safe and wholesome meat production principles and practices, including sanitation and SSOPs, GMPs, HACCP-based food safety systems, hazard control, regulatory compliance, and worker safety.
Familiarity with USDA-FSIS requirements or comparable meat inspection and regulatory systems.
Evidence of scholarly, applied, or creative productivity relevant to meat science, meat processing, food safety, meat quality, product development, or related food-animal systems, and potential to develop an externally supported research, outreach, or industry-collaboration program.
Demonstrated commitment to student success through experiential learning, mentoring, inclusive teaching, and preparation of students for relevant careers.
Ability to work effectively with students, faculty, staff, livestock producers, meat processors, regulatory agencies, commodity organizations, and other external partners.
Eligibility to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

Advanced expertise in one or more applied areas, such as humane harvest and slaughter; carcass grading and yield; fabrication; postmortem muscle biology and quality; fresh and processed meat products; formulation and ingredient functionality; curing, smoking, fermentation, thermal or nonthermal processing; sensory evaluation; packaging and shelf life; meat microbiology and interventions; or sustainable utilization of co-products.
Documented experience and knowledge in meat processing procedures and ability to manage a meat processing facility.
Experience developing hands-on curricula, laboratory exercises, demonstrations, or workforce-development programs connecting animal production and harvest with meat manufacturing, product quality, food safety, and regulatory practice.
Evidence of productive partnerships with industry or government, or professional experience with livestock producers, meat processors, food manufacturers, retailers, restaurants, regulatory agencies, or meat and livestock organizations.
Training or certification in HACCP, preventive controls, food safety auditing, meat inspection, sensory evaluation, animal handling, occupational safety, or related professional areas.
A record of applied publications, technical reports, industry-sponsored projects, patents or product development, extension materials, invited presentations, grants, or other scholarship demonstrating impact beyond the laboratory.
Postdoctoral training, residency, or substantial professional experience in meat science, food processing, food safety, muscle biology, or a closely related applied field.

Responsibilities

Teach undergraduate courses focused on the Pre-Veterinary Science/Animal Science program and, as needed and qualified, the Animal Health Science program.
Develop and teach undergraduate and graduate courses and skills-based laboratory experiences in meat science, meat processing, carcass evaluation, livestock harvest, meat quality, food safety, and related areas.
Conduct research and scholarly activities in the candidate’s area of expertise and seek grant funding to support assigned research time.
Develop collaborations with faculty and external organizations, including industry and government partners.
Participate in departmental, college, and university committee service.
Contribute to curriculum development, student advising, program assessment and development, and student recruitment and retention, including of underrepresented minorities.
Support student success through experiential learning, mentoring, inclusive teaching, and preparation for careers in relevant industries and organizations.