The University of Minnesota, in collaboration with multiple U.S. institutions (Colorado State University, Texas Tech University, University of Vermont, and Washington State University), is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher to support a multistate project aimed at enhancing the sustainability of organic dairy farming through improved youngstock management. The successful candidate will work closely with faculty from the University of Minnesota and external partners. Candidates with a DVM, PhD, or both are encouraged to apply. Experience with organic dairy production is preferred, but not required. Applicants with teaching experience and a strong interest in developing online educational content will be highly valued.

Duties:
The Postdoctoral Researcher will be responsible for a range of activities, including:
Curriculum Development & Teaching:
Designing an online curriculum for veterinary students, focused on organic dairy farming and youngstock management.
Developing and delivering educational content that promotes veterinary education in organic dairy systems.
Research & Data Collection:
Conducting surveys on organic dairy practices, managing data collection, and performing in-depth analysis.
Supporting the research team with on-farm herd health assessments, including the collection of biological samples (e.g., blood, fecal,
milk) and evaluating youngstock management practices.
Collaboration & Project Management:
Collaborating with research partners from various institutions to ensure project objectives are met.
Assisting with manuscript preparation, grant writing, and other administrative tasks to support ongoing research.
Mentorship & Support:
Assisting in the mentorship of graduate and undergraduate students, providing guidance on research methodologies, data analysis, and manuscript preparation.
Administrative & Lab-Related Tasks:
Coordinating with the lab manager to maintain records, manage inventory, and develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) for funded projects.
Ensuring quality control for laboratory and field research activities.

Effort Allocation:
60% of time will be spent in the office:
Online curriculum design and development.
Survey creation and data analysis.
Manuscript and grant proposal preparation.
Mentorship of students.

20% of time will be spent on administrative and lab-related tasks:
Maintaining research records and inventory.
Overseeing SOP development and quality control.

20% of time will be spent on field research:
Participating in on-farm herd health assessments and field sampling (e.g., blood, feces, milk).
Interacting with organic dairy producers for research collaboration.

Required Qualifications:
DVM, PhD, or both in a relevant field (Animal Science, Veterinary Science, or related discipline).
Strong interest in organic dairy production and sustainability.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.

Preferred Qualifications:
Experience with educational content development, especially online modules.
Strong background in data analysis and survey design.
Experience with organic dairy production systems in North America.
Previous teaching experience, especially in veterinary or animal science education.
Experience with field research and on-farm data collection.

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