Assistant/Associate/Full Professor

Position Function:

The successful candidate will be expected to develop a nationally recognized research (75%), and teaching (25%) program in dairy foods/dairy processing for this 9-month tenure track position. The position may be cross appointed among the two departments of Animal and Dairy Science and Biochemistry, Nutrition and Health Promotion depending on the teaching and research expertise and interests of the candidate. For candidates with experience or appointment at the Associate- or Full-Professor levels the position may also include co-appointment as The Edward D. Custer Endowed Professorship in Dairy Foods which carries with it the professorship title, an additional salary stipend and some programmatic support. The successful candidate will also administer the separate "Bearden Endowment" for dairy science/dairy foods student club/organization support. In addition, this position will be an integral part of the new Food Science Innovation Hub initiative in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station and will work closely with the Director of the Food Science Innovation Hub on food science-related initiatives.

Employees hired into Intermittent positions are limited to working no more than 720 hours per fiscal year.

Salary Grade:  UC

Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges.  For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Department Profile:

The Departments of Animal and Dairy Science (ADS) and Biochemistry, Nutrition, and Health Promotion (BCHNHP) are cooperating departments, along with the interdisciplinary Food Science Innovation Hub, for this faculty position aimed at advancing dairy manufacturing expertise at Mississippi State University in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station (MAFES). The Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences (ADS) currently houses approximately 540 undergraduate and graduate students and 22 faculty both on campus and at research and extension centers throughout Mississippi. The Department conducts teaching, research, and extension activities on the 1,200-acre H.H. Leveck Animal Research Center and Bearden Research Dairy. The Bearden Dairy Research Facility is a 1,200-acre farm with free-stall housed lactating cows. milking -100 Holsteins and 35 Jerseys in a modern Double 8 parallel milking parlor. The heifer/dry cow facility can house 100 animals. Milk is sold to the Custer Dairy Processing Plant which is a unit of the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station and is in the Herzer Building on the campus of Mississippi State University. The plant is a teaching and research laboratory for students studying dairy foods at Mississippi State University. The Department of Biochemistry, Nutrition, and Health Promotion (BCHNHP) faculty expertise includes biochemistry, molecular biology, food science, nutrition, dietetics, health promotion, and Culinology. This is a comprehensive department with academic, research and extension missions. BCHNHP offers minors, BS, MS, and PhD degrees, and currently houses 553 undergraduate and 70 graduate students. Moreover, the Department hosts two distance learning opportunities: an MS degree with an emphasis in Health Promotion and an MPH in Nutrition. BCHNHP prides itself on maintaining accreditation across multiple programs. The interdisciplinary Food Science Innovation Hub serves as an incubator for training and innovation for Mississippi and our nation's food industry and brings faculty from across the MSU landscape together to support, engage and advance food science interests among students and stakeholders. Please see and for information about the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences and the Department of Biochemistry, Nutrition, and Health Promotion.

Area of Specialization:

Dairy Foods/ Dairy Processing

Anticipated Appointment Date:

Tenure Track Status:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will be expected to develop a nationally recognized research and teaching program in dairy products and manufacturing, with opportunities to work with both the ADS dairy unit and the MAFES dairy processing plant. The candidate must pursue extramural funds to support programmatic activities and publish results in peer reviewed journals. In addition, the candidate will demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively and collaborate with colleagues internally and externally at Mississippi State University. Establishment of a strong record of securing extramural funding and developing scholarly publications and presentations is expected. Teaching responsibilities will be determined based on ADS/BCHNHP departmental needs and include undergraduate and graduate courses. The successful candidate should be able to effectively advise undergraduate students, mentor student clubs and organizations, and train graduate students. A collaborative and collegial approach with faculty and staff in the departments, college, and university and with external partners and stakeholders is essential. Candidates must demonstrate a commitment to service through activities such as participation on departmental, college, and university committees and via service to appropriate professional associations.

Minimum Qualifications:

An earned Ph.D. in animal science, dairy science, food science or closely related field with an emphasis on dairy processing and products. Candidates must have excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills. Applicants interested in appointments at the rank of Associate or Full Professor levels, or the appointment as The Custer Endowed Professor, should have a professional background appropriate for appointment and for tenure consideration.

ABDs or degree pending considered (all but DISS):

Preferred Qualifications:

Candidates with a demonstrated track record of grantsmanship and publication in peer-reviewed journals are preferred. Preference will be given to those with demonstrated success in cross discipline collaborations and experience working with stakeholder and end-user groups.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Experience managing student research projects, training students in research, conducting extension programming and innovative classroom instruction are desired.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

The majority of the work is performed in a classroom environment. Some duties include hands on instruction at the university farm units, which could involve moderate exposure to extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises.

Instructions for Applying:

Link to apply: 

All applicants must apply online at and will be required to submit a cover letter. resume/CV, and transcripts of all degrees (with SSN redacted). Please include a statement of philosophies in research and teaching. Names and contact information for 3 professional references are also required. Official transcripts for all degrees will be required from the successful candidate. Inquires can be emailed to Dr. Wes Schilling at or by phone at Application reviews will begin July 1, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled.

Screening Date:

Restricted Clause:

Position is contingent upon continued availability of funding.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762,

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