Assistant Professor - Avian Immunology

University of Arkansas•Fayetteville, AR

About The Position

The Assistant Professor will develop and lead an externally funded, nationally recognized research program in avian immunology addressing current and emerging poultry-industry challenges in avian health and disease. Research may focus on avian immune responses, host-pathogen interactions, disease resistance and susceptibility, vaccine response, immune modulation, and strategies to improve poultry health and resilience. The position requires close engagement with commercial poultry integrators, allied animal health companies, veterinarians, and other industry stakeholders to identify priority challenges and develop applied research addressing them. The candidate will pursue grants, publish research in peer-reviewed outlets, and present findings at regional, national, and international meetings. Preference is given to candidates who can translate fundamental immunological discoveries into field-applicable interventions, such as vaccine strategies, disease-monitoring tools, and genetic approaches to improve disease resistance. The successful candidate will collaborate with faculty in poultry science and related disciplines, including microbiology, virology, bacteriology, genetics, nutrition, physiology, and veterinary medicine. Teaching duties include advising and mentoring graduate students and contributing to departmental teaching by developing undergraduate and graduate courses aligned with the candidate’s expertise and departmental needs. The position is in the Poultry Sciences Department of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. Salary is commensurate with education and experience. Benefits are eligible.

Requirements

Ph.D. in poultry or animal science with an emphasis on immunology, or a related field.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Ability to procure extramural funding to conduct independent and collaborative research.

Nice To Haves

Experience translating fundamental immunological discoveries into field-applicable interventions, including vaccine strategies, disease-monitoring tools, and genetic approaches for improved disease resistance.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively across multiple disciplines and interact cohesively with commercial poultry integrators.
Postdoctoral experience at a land-grant institution.

Responsibilities

Develop and lead an externally funded, nationally recognized research program in avian immunology.
Conduct research on avian health and disease, potentially including immune responses, host-pathogen interactions, disease resistance and susceptibility, vaccine response, immune modulation, and strategies to improve poultry health and resilience.
Work with commercial poultry integrators, allied animal health companies, veterinarians, and other industry stakeholders to identify high-priority challenges and develop applied research programs.
Pursue extramural funding for independent and collaborative research.
Report research results through peer-reviewed publications and present findings at regional, national, and international meetings.
Advise and mentor graduate students.
Contribute to departmental teaching by developing undergraduate and graduate courses aligned with expertise and departmental needs.