The Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) at the University of Guelph invites applications for the position of Chair of the Department of Animal Biosciences.
Department Overview
The Department of Animal Biosciences is a multidisciplinary academic unit with faculty in a range of fields, including animal physiology, genetics, behaviour and welfare, nutrition, and management. Faculty in the Department have links across campus, including veterinary medicine, computer science, engineering, human health and nutritional sciences, biological sciences, food, agricultural and resource economics, and food science, as well as with producer organizations and members of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. The Department has dynamic undergraduate programs in Agriculture and Animal Biology, and its well-established MSc and PhD programs, along with a new course-based Master of Animal Biosciences program, attract students worldwide and are supported by extensive research funding and industry connections. Descriptions of the Department, its programs, and faculty profiles are available at: https://animalbiosciences.uoguelph.ca/. The Department values diversity, inclusion and wellness, and is taking actions to support these values.
Role and Responsibilities
The Chair of the Department is responsible for providing strategic, academic, and administrative leadership to ensure the orderly, effective, efficient, sustainable and collegial operation of the Department. Working in consultation with faculty members, the Chair guides and supports individuals in fulfilling their assigned responsibilities; leads initiatives to enhance academic programs and scholarly contributions; and strengthens relationships with industry, government, and other partners. The Chair is also responsible for advancing the fiscal sustainability of the Department, including the development and implementation of Departmental strategies, budget plans, revenue targets, and tactics to achieve those targets. In this role, the Chair is expected to work closely with the OAC Dean’s office and to collaborate with academic unit heads/directors across OAC. The appointment is for a five-year term, with a possibility of renewal for a second five-year term.
Required Qualifications
The preferred candidate will be a successful educator and leader who holds tenure at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor, has a strong record of research and scholarly accomplishments, substantive experience in and a dedication to teaching and student success, and a demonstrated track record in academic leadership and administration. The Chair will be required to offer vision and leadership, demonstrate innovative thinking, and exhibit strong organizational, interpersonal and communication skills. Experience in human and financial resource management and the ability to engage faculty, staff, and students in developing and executing new initiatives are required. The Chair will have a demonstrated ability to interact effectively with industry, government agencies, and alumni, including securing funding and support for scholarly programs. The successful candidate will be expected to network, communicate, and facilitate the advancement of the Department, OAC, and the University.
Institutional Context
The University of Guelph is the second-largest employer in Guelph, a city of approximately 130,000 people located about an hour’s drive west of Toronto, Ontario. The University of Guelph is a top-ranked comprehensive university in Canada with an enrollment of about 37,000 undergraduate and graduate students across over 40 academic units. The University is known for its commitment to student learning, innovative research, and collaboration with world-class partners. It is a unique place, with transformative research and teaching and a distinctive campus culture. People who learn and work here are shaped and inspired by a shared purpose: To Improve Life. Reflecting that shared purpose in every experience connected to our university positions us to create positive change, here and around the world. Our university community shares a profound sense of social responsibility, a drive for international development, and an obligation to address global issues.
Application Process
If you are a current employee of the University of Guelph you must apply on the internal Career Page to be considered as an internal applicant. SuccessFactors: Career Opportunities (sapsf.com)
Assessment of applications will begin on June 25, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled. Interested applicants should create an account on https://careers.uoguelph.ca/ and apply for the advertised faculty position (Requisition ID #2483) by submitting the following materials (in an integrated Single PDF file):
Interested candidates are invited to submit a letter of application (including a vision statement), curriculum vitae, and the names of three references (who will not be contacted without prior consent)
Questions about the application process may be directed to Erin Levesque, Administrative Officer, Ontario Agricultural College,
[email protected].
Date Posted: 05/28/2026
Deadline: 06/25/2026 or until a suitable candidate is found.
This position is represented by the University of Guelph Faculty Association (UGFA).
The University of Guelph commits to fostering inclusive excellence through promoting Indigenization, equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. Inclusion is a core pillar of Our Time, our strategic plan, which pledges to “transform our human resources, governance and student services and practices across the University to enable us to recruit a diverse student, faculty and staff body and support them in achieving their personal, professional and scholarly goals.” The University commits to creating and maintaining “equitable work environments that empower us in our pursuit of student, faculty and staff success, research excellence, innovation and impact.”
The University of Guelph invites applications from all qualified individuals; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. We strongly welcome and encourage applications from members of designated groups in employment, including Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, racialized persons, women, and 2SLGBTQIA+ persons.
The University of Guelph recognizes that career paths can be diverse and career interruptions may occur. We encourage applicants to note in their applications whether they would like considerations given to the impact of any circumstances, such as (but not limited to) those due to health and/or family reasons, that may have affected an applicant’s record of achievement. You are not required to disclose these circumstances in the hiring process. If you choose to do so, the University will ensure that these circumstances do not negatively impact the assessment of your qualifications for the position.
The University of Guelph is committed to ensuring all applicants have fair and equitable participation in the hiring process. If you anticipate needing medical accommodations during the recruitment or selection processes, confidential assistance is available on request by contacting Occupational Health and Wellness at 519-824-4120 x52674. If you have any questions regarding accommodations or accessibility during the hiring process or for more information and support, please visit the University’s Occupational Health and Wellness or contact OHW at
[email protected].
