Job Description

Department Agriculture
Job Posting Title Assistant Professor, Department of Agriculture (Animal Science)

The Department of Agriculture at Fort Hays State University is seeking applicants for a nine-month, tenure-track faculty position to start in August 2026. The faculty member will teach an average of 12 credits per semester. Course load will include a variety of theoretical and applied undergraduate courses that may include, but are not limited to, Introductory Animal Science, Domestic Animal Anatomy & Physiology, Livestock Reproduction, and Livestock Production Management. Opportunities also exist to develop or modify courses in the faculty member's area of expertise.
Candidates will be expected to demonstrate collegiality, professionalism, and a strong commitment to teaching excellence and the university mission. Expectations also include departmental and university service, community and professional service, and an active scholarly profile. The standard faculty-workload expectation at FHSU is divided into 60% Teaching, 20% Service, and 20% Scholarship/Research. Successful candidate will need to meet the United States criteria for eligibility for employment.
Responsibilities:

• Teaching lecture and lab classes in animal science
• Academic and research mentoring
• Departmental service
• Scholarly research involving regional agricultural interests

Required Qualifications:

• D.V.M. or Ph.D. (ABD considered) in Animal Science or a closely related field from a regionally accredited university.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated teaching effectiveness.
• Demonstrated competence with online teaching and course development.
• Evidence of work in the agriculture industry, agriculture extension, or applied agriculture research
• Success recruiting and mentoring students from diverse backgrounds
• Plans for a research program involving students

Appointment Date: The position begins in August 2026.
Application Deadline: Priority deadline for review is January 12, 2026. Review of applications will begin right away and continue until the position is filled.
Available Rank:

• Instructor
• Assistant Professor

Salary: The best current, good-faith estimate of the salary is $68,000, which is based on data from the College and University Professional Association (CUPA). This amount is subject to change.
Benefits: To review our competitive benefit package, please visit .
Qualified candidates must submit the following documents:

• Cover letter describing your qualifications and successes with respect to the listed qualifications
• CV
• Contact information for three professional references

Applicant documents should be submitted in one PDF.
If you have questions regarding the position, please contact:
Application Process: To apply for this position, please visit . Only electronic applications submitted through the webpage will be accepted.
About the Agriculture Department:
The Department of Agriculture has eight full-time faculty positions serving roughly 400 undergraduate students pursuing Bachelor of Science degrees in Agriculture or Agricultural Business with the latter available online. The Agriculture major includes options in Agricultural Education, Agronomy, Animal Science, Agricultural Leadership, Agricultural Communications, Business Agronomy and General Agriculture. Two employees oversee individual operations (beef, sheep, swine, and dryland crop production) on a 3,400-acre University Farm. This facility is available to provide students with access to hands-on, experiential learning opportunities that complement the classroom experience. See the department's home page at for additional information.
About the Werth College of Science, Technology, and Mathematics:
The Werth College of Science, Technology, and Mathematics was formed in 2015 by bringing together the departments of Agriculture, Applied Technology, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geosciences, Mathematics, and Physics. The college employs approximately 75 full-time faculty, 1200 undergraduate majors, and 50+ graduate students. It also makes significant contributions to the university's General Education program and to the Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science, which is an early-college program for high-achieving high-school students. Undergraduate students participate in technical, classroom, field, and lab experiences that many schools would reserve for graduate students. Our academic programs are innovative, and our facilities are outstanding. The Werth College of Science, Technology, and Mathematics teachers embrace a one-on-one teaching and mentoring philosophy and provide robust research opportunities for our students.
Community of Hays
FHSU is located in Hays, a vibrant college town of approximately 20,000, located halfway between Kansas City and Denver on Interstate 70. Hays is the regional center for education, health care, professional services, shopping, culture, and recreation for the western half of Kansas. The community boasts excellent recreational programs and facilities, including the comprehensive Center for Health Improvement, Hays Aquatic Park, Smoky Hill Country Club, Hays Municipal Golf Course, and extensive walking, running, and biking trails. Hays is within 45 minutes of two large lakes that offer great opportunities for boating, fishing, and camping. The Hays Municipal Airport provides connecting service to Denver with several flights daily. The Hays community is home to excellent Pre-K and K-12, public and private schools. With over 60 restaurants, major retail outlets, a low unemployment rate, and very short commute times, the city provides a safe, welcoming, low-cost, high-quality living environment for the residents who call "Hays, America" home.
Notice of Non-discrimination - Fort Hays State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, religion, national origin, color, age, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability or veteran status.
Background Check: Final candidate will have consented to and successfully completed a criminal background check.
Notice to KPERS retirees applying for a position: Recent legislation changes working-after-retirement rules for both you and your employer if you go back to work for a KPERS employer. Please contact your KPERS representative or for further information on how this might affect you.

Skills Required