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Asst Professor of Practice in Livestock Production
Position Description Contributes to the university's mission through teaching in an area of expertise, mentoring students in professional and career preparation and serving as liaison with professional contacts and entities on behalf of the department or program. This is a non-tenure track, multi-year renewable appointment contingent on successful annual and cumulative performance appraisals as well as a majority affirmative vote of the academic unit. Summer appointments possible, but not guaranteed, contingent on demand for courses and availability of funding.
The Department of Animal and Food Sciences in the Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources at Texas Tech University invites applications for a full-time, 9-month, non-tenure-earning Assistant Professor of Practice in Livestock Production to begin before September 1, 2026. The anticipated allocation of effort is 85% teaching and 15% service.
Professors of Practice at Texas Tech University are appointed based on exceptional professional accomplishments and are expected to advance the teaching, outreach, and student development missions of the institution. Consistent with university policy, this position does not include a research appointment; rather, effort expectations focus on high-quality instruction, leadership of experiential learning programs, student mentorship, and service to the department and broader livestock industry.
The successful candidate will provide academic instruction in animal science, coordinate and coach the nationally recognized Texas Tech University Livestock Judging Team, and contribute to student recruitment, youth outreach, and stakeholder engagement. This faculty member will play a central role in supporting student success and maintaining TTU's longstanding reputation for excellence in livestock evaluation and industry engagement. About the University Established in 1923, Texas Tech University is a Carnegie R1 (very high research activity) Doctoral/Research-Extensive, Hispanic Serving, and state-assisted institution. Located on a beautiful 1,850-acre campus in Lubbock, a city in West Texas with a growing metropolitan-area population of over 300,000, the university enrolls over 40,000 students with 33,000 undergraduate and 7,000 graduate students. As the primary research institution in the western two-thirds of the state, Texas Tech University is home to 10 colleges, the Schools of Law and Veterinary Medicine, and the Graduate School. The flagship of the Texas Tech University System, Texas Tech is dedicated to student success by preparing learners to be ethical leaders for a diverse and globally competitive workforce. It is committed to enhancing the cultural and economic development of the state, nation, and world.
About Lubbock:Referred to as the "Hub City" because it serves as the educational, cultural, economic, and health care hub of the South Plains region, Lubbock boasts a diverse population and a strong connection to community, history, and land. With a mild climate, highly rated public schools, and a low cost of living, Lubbock is a family-friendly community that is ranked as one of the best places to live in Texas. Lubbock is home to a celebrated and ever-evolving music scene, a vibrant arts community, and is within driving distance of Dallas, Austin, Santa Fe, and other major metropolitan cities. Lubbock's Convention & Visitors Bureau provides a comprehensive overview of the Lubbock community and its resources, programs, events, and histories. About the College The Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources includes the departments of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Agricultural Education and Communications, Animal and Food Sciences, Landscape Architecture, Plant and Soil Science, and Veterinary Sciences, along with multiple research centers and institutes. The College houses eight major research centers and institutes: the Center for Agriscience Communications, Davis College Water Center, Fiber and Biopolymer Research Institute, Institute for Genomics of Crop Abiotic Stress Tolerance, International Center for Agricultural Competitiveness, International Center for Food Industry Excellence, Texas Cooperative Research Unit, and the Thornton Agricultural Finance Institute. Davis College enrolls more than 2,700 undergraduate students and more than 500 graduate students. The College sustains approximately 110 tenure-track faculty, 40 non-tenure-track faculty, and more than 165 support staff. Faculty across Davis College generated approximately $17.3 million in federal and private funding to support the research, teaching, and outreach and engagement missions. Davis College is currently engaged in The Pursuit of PRIME campaign, which is dedicated to shaping the future of agriculture, natural resources, and managed landscapes. The College prepares the next generation of leaders to address major challenges and build a brighter future through investments in advanced facilities, innovative research, and hands-on education. Rooted in Texas Tech's spirit of resilience and excellence, this commitment extends beyond the classroom to strengthen communities and inspire prosperity for generations to come. About the Department/School/Area The Department of Animal and Food Sciences at Texas Tech University is committed to preparing ethical leaders, advancing discovery, and delivering science-based solutions that address the challenges of a growing and changing world. Our department embraces a culture shaped by our core values of accountability, community, excellence, grit, and integrity; values that guide how we teach, conduct research, and engage with society.
We aspire to be a national leader in animal agriculture, food systems, and equine and companion animal science by preparing future innovators, generating impactful research, and strengthening resilient animal-sourced food systems and human-animal connections. Guided by the enduring spirit of West Texas, we pursue solutions that improve animal well-being, enhance human-animal relationships, and support global food security.
The department takes pride in its tradition of student success and experiential learning, supported by a curriculum taught by faculty dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and engagement. We emphasize innovation and creativity to address regional needs with global implications, and we engage communities, industry partners, and stakeholders through purposeful collaboration and service.
Our facilities are robust and include a comprehensive research and teaching complex supported by several off-campus units, such as the Texas Tech Equestrian Center, the Equine-Assisted Therapeutic Riding Teaching and Research Center, the Grantham Companion Animal Research Facility, and the New Deal Agricultural Field Laboratory. The field laboratory houses canine, small ruminant, swine, beef cattle, feedlot (Burnett Center), and feed mill units that support hands-on learning and applied research.
The department is home to approximately 30 faculty members, many of whom are nationally and internationally recognized leaders in their fields. Areas of research excellence include meat science and muscle biology, food science and safety, animal nutrition, health and welfare, equine science, and companion animal studies. The department continues to experience unprecedented growth, serving more than 1,450 undergraduate and graduate students across a wide range of academic programs. Major/Essential Functions As a faculty member in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences, the successful candidate will be expected to:
- Teach undergraduate courses in animal science aligned with the candidate's expertise and departmental needs.
- Provide high-impact experiential learning through coaching, mentoring, and preparing students for intercollegiate livestock judging competitions.
- Coordinating the livestock judging program, including recruitment, curriculum integration, stakeholder engagement, and program administration.
- Lead outreach and engagement activities with youth, producers, commodity groups, and industry partners to support recruitment and strengthen the program's national reputation.
- Advise and mentor students with an emphasis on career readiness, leadership development, and professional competencies.
- Contribute to departmental service needs, including committee participation, program development, and community engagement.
Organization Texas Tech University Faculty Qualifications Each requirement should be demonstrated through documented experience, accomplishments, or materials submitted as part of the application:
- Master of Science in Animal Science or a closely related discipline.
- Evidence may include official transcripts showing degree completion.
- Evidence of teaching experience and instructional effectiveness as a full-time instructor or graduate teaching assistant.
- As demonstrated by course evaluations, peer/mentor reviews, sample syllabi, instructional materials, or documented teaching responsibilities.
- Demonstrated collegiate livestock judging coaching experience with a record of competitive success.
- As demonstrated by team rankings, awards earned, coaching roles, or statements outlining coaching responsibilities and outcomes.
- Documented experience leading outreach or youth development initiatives related to livestock judging and/or the livestock industry.
- Examples may include coaching 4-H/FFA teams, organizing contests or workshops, leading youth livestock programs, or supporting statewide/national judging events.
- Evidence of successful student recruitment at the collegiate or youth levels.
- As demonstrated by recruitment plans, participation in outreach events, documented recruitment outcomes, or letters describing engagement with prospective students.
Preferred Qualifications In addition to the required qualifications, individuals with the following preferred qualifications are strongly encouraged to apply:
- Doctor of Philosophy in Animal Science or demonstrated progress toward completion of the degree.
- As evidenced by transcripts, candidacy status, or dissertation progress.
- Broad academic or professional experience across multiple sectors of the animal protein industries.
- As demonstrated by coursework, internships, industry employment, or collaborative projects across beef, dairy, swine, sheep, goat, poultry, or meat sectors.
- Extensive teaching and/or research experience with ruminant species, including cattle, sheep, and goats.
- As demonstrated by instructional assignments, laboratory or field experience, graduate projects, or applied livestock management roles.
- Evidence of applied research experience, including experimental design and data analysis in livestock production.
- Examples may include thesis research, industry-based research projects, data analysis experience, or presentations/publications in applied animal science.
- Documented professional livestock judging experience and an established professional network to support student mentorship, career development, and industry placement.
- As demonstrated by participation on competitive judging teams, industry affiliations, service to judging associations, or documented connections to employers and industry leaders
Duty Point TTU Lubbock, main campus and affiliated facilities Safety Information Adherence to robust safety practices and compliance with all applicable health and safety regulations are responsibilities of all TTU employees. Does this position work in a research laboratory? No Special Instructions to Applicants Please include the following documents in your application:
- Cover Letter
- Curriculum Vitae
- Teaching philosophy statement
- Copies of post-baccalaureate transcripts
- Other document(s) directly related to required qualifications
- List of 3 or more references
Questions about this position should be directed to Dr. Ryan Rathmann, Search Committee Chair at ryan.rathmann@ttu.edu.
Pay Statement Compensation is commensurate upon the qualifications of the individual selected and budgetary guidelines of the hiring department, as well as the institutional pay plan. EEO Statement All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or status as a protected veteran. Applications must be received by 01/23/2026 |
Texas Tech University
Dec 17, 2025