Assistant/Associate Professor, Wildlife Veterinary Science

Job description

Job Title
Assistant/Associate Professor, Wildlife Veterinary Science


Agency
Texas A&M University - Kingsville


Department
Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute



Proposed Minimum Salary
Commensurate



Job Location
Kingsville, Texas



Job Type
Faculty



Job Description

Job Summary


T enure-track faculty position ( rank depending on qualifications ) with the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute (CKWRI) and the Department of Rangeland and Wildlife Sciences (RWSC) in the Dick and Mary Lewis Kleberg College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Texas A&M University- Kingsville (TAMUK) .

Th e successful candidate will be primarily responsible for managing the CKWRI Ocelot Conservation Facility, a 30,000 square-foot state-of-the-art complex which is currently under construction on the TAMUK campus.

Scheduled for completion in May 2026, t he facility will support ex situ breeding and rearing of the federally endangered ocelot , with the goal of augmenting the wild ocelot population through release of individuals reared at the facility .

Immediately upon starting, th e successful candidate will help establish operations, write protocols , review permits, and perform other foundational tasks necessary to ensure the facility’s success .

As facility manager, the successful candidate will oversee animal - care staff , manage facility resources, and ensure timely and professional coordination with all agency and private collaborators in support of conservation and research goals .




In addition, the successful candidate will be expected to provide veterinary support to and collaborate on CKWRI research endeavors , and will be encouraged to develop a research program in wildlife physiology , behavior, and /or health .

Acknowledging the substantial work required to manage a new facility and support CKWRI research, this position is being listed at 8 5% service , however an official research appointment is negotiable depending on candidate interest and experience.

The successful candidate will also be expected to teach 1 graduate course in wildlife nutrition or wildlife physiology annually , fulfilling a 1 5% teaching expectation .

Formally , the position will be considered a 9-month appointment consistent with most faculty positions , however summer salary will be supported by the CKWRI to ensure uninterrupted service to the facility and research endeavors .




Essential Duties and Responsibilities
+ Oversee the establishment of and operations at the CKWRI Ocelot Conservation Facility on the TAMUK campus .
+ Work collaboratively with scientists, graduate students, private landowners, agency personnel, and others towards the goal of ocelot recovery.
+ Provide veterinary support to CKWRI research endeavors in collaboration with faculty and students.
+ If a research appointment is negotiated, develop and l ead a n impactful , extramurally-funded p rogram consistent with the appointment,
+ Teach 1 graduate-level course annually to meet the needs of the RWSC Department.
+ Engage in professional service to the D epartment, C ollege, and U niversity as required .





Required Education and Experience
+ Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from an AAVMC accredited university ; licensed or ability to be licensed in the state of Texas .
+ Experience providing veterinary care to wild animals ex situ and in situ.
+ Experience in ex situ animal management and care , specifically with carnivores .
+ Demonstrated leadership potential , such as managing a team, chairing committees, or leading an initiative .
+ Ability to instruct courses in wildlife nutrition and physiology , incorporating effective teaching techniques into classes.

Applicants must have successfully completed a minimum of 18 graduate-level hours in wildlife science , animal science , biology, veterinary science, or similar disciplines .
+ Demonstrated ability to communicate with students, professionals, lay audiences, and scientists.





Preferred Qualifications
+ Experience in the ex-situ management and care of wild felids .
+ Experience with ex-situ breeding programs and reintroduction s.
+ Demonstrated ability to foster and sustain positive, working relationships with private landowners, scientists , students, and state, federal, and private natural resource organizations.
+ Demonstrated potential to attract extramural funding.
+ MS or PhD in wildlife science, ecology, biology, animal science , or a related discipline.
+ Board certification by the American College of Zoologic Medicine , the European College of Zoologic Medicine, the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, or related specialty.
+ Evidence of innovative and applied biological research , demonstrated by a record of peer-reviewed publications, presentations, and other scholarly materials.





CKWRI , RWSC , and TAMUK : CKWRI is a privately funded research unit at TAMUK that has provide d science-based information for enhancing the conservation and management of Texas wildlife and rangelands for over 40 years .

The successful applicant will join a n established and award-winning team of ~ 30 faculty and research staff who work with ~ 55 M.S. and Ph.D. students to conduct innovative and applied research in partnership with numerous non-government organizations, state and federal agencies, and private landowners across the state.

As faculty members of the RWSC Department, CKWRI scientists mentor, educate, and provide hands-on experiences to ~150 undergraduate students, playing a critical role in developing the next generation of wildlife professionals.

Faculty and students alike enjoy small class sizes at TAMUK, a small Hi spanic-Serving Institution serving ~7,000 students and the oldest , continuously operating public institution of higher learning in South Texas.




Location : The University is located in historic Kingsville, a friendly, safe city of 25,000 that is the home of the legendary King Ranch.

Corpus Christi (population: ~300,000) and its beaches are just 40 miles to the northeast, and the border with Mexico is 120 miles to the south at Brownsville or 119 miles to the west at Laredo.

The region boasts world-class fishing , hunting, and birding, access to the longest, undeveloped barrier island in the world (Padre Island National Seashore), and a friendly, diverse community rich in history and culture.




Application : Qualified applicants should submit a (1) cover letter, specifically addressing interest in the position including teaching and research , ( 2 ) a detailed vita stating education, experience , and qualifications, ( 3 ) copies of transcripts from all colleges attended, and ( 4 ) three professional references including names, e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers.

Address referrals and questions regarding the position to Dr. Ashley Tanner .




Dr. Ashley Tanner , Chair of Search Committee


MSC 218, 700 University Blvd.




Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute


Texas A&M University-Kingsville


Kingsville, Texas 78363-8202


ashley.unger@tamuk.edu


Closing : September 1 5 , 202 5 or until a qualified candidate is identified .

Starting date negotiable, p refer January 202 5 .





Prior to issuing a letter of appointment, official transcripts must be received directly from each degree-granting institution by the Office of the Provost, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, MSC 102, Kingsville, Texas 78363-8202.

However, for review of application, applicants may submit unofficial transcripts from each institution of higher education attended directly to the search committee chair as instructed above.




TAMUK is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.





All positions are security-sensitive.

Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.


Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.

Required Skill Profession

Other General