WE TRANSFORM LIVES.
Everything the College of ACES does is designed to improve the quality of life
of the people in the state of Illinois, across the nation, and around the
world. We discover, develop, translate, and disseminate knowledge to address
societal concerns and train the next generation of experts and leaders in a way
that empowers them to expand the boundaries of science to higher levels of
understanding and influence.
Be a part of our story.
The Department of Animal Sciences
operates our animal farms, laboratories, Feed Technology Center, meat and egg
sales room, and other facilities to give students working experience in the
field and to advance basic discovery and applied production research. Our farms
operate on 1,300 acres, housing beef and dairy cattle, poultry, sheep, swine,
and horses, and turning grain and forage into feed and bedding for our animals.
And our facilities don’t stop at the boundary of our Urbana campus; we maintain
and study herds at research and Extension centers throughout Illinois. The Meat
Science Laboratory and Meat and Egg Sales are an integral part of our farm
operations. This unit supports the needs of meat science research, which
focuses on fresh meat quality and further processing. It also provides training
and hands-on experience for students planning on careers in the meat industry. The
unit supports some of the most visible parts of our department to the community
and beyond through Meat and Egg Sales, BBQ and Grilling courses and outreach, and
meats judging activities within the state and nationwide.
Primary Function of Research Specialist in Agriculture Position:
Assist with management of
operations, work closely with faculty conducting hands-on research,
coordinating teaching, and upholding regulatory compliance at the Meat Science
Lab in Urbana, IL.
Primary Function of Senior Research Specialist in Agriculture Position:
Management of operations,
working closely with faculty conducting hands-on research, coordinating
teaching, and upholding regulatory compliance at the Meat Science Lab in
Urbana, IL.
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
Operation and Maintenance
• Coordinate slaughter and production schedule
for the Meat Science Laboratory including:
◦ Arrange and interface with USDA
inspection service to ensure coverage and maintain compliance.
◦ Procurement of animals, ingredients,
supplies, and resources needed.
◦ Interaction with other farm units to
obtain animals and plan for future needs.
• Lead operations including the slaughter of
animals, fabrication of carcasses, production, and further processed products.
◦ Setup the facility for operations days.
◦ Develop and implement SSOPs for
operation.
◦ Oversee the sales room operations
including pricing, customer service, hours of operation, staffing, and
advertisement.
• Provide day-to-day supervision of personnel
of academic and non-academic staff working in the facility.
Research, Teaching, Outreach,
and Support
• Coordinate facility use and availability for
educational needs of faculty, graduate students, and others at the Meat Science
Lab.
◦ Coordinate teaching laboratory sections
at the unit.
◦ Interact with meats and other evaluation
coaches to schedule practices, contests, and other activities to support
evaluation teams.
◦ Oversee the procurement of animals and
production of needed products for educational needs.
• Establish and reinforce consistent practices
to produce high-quality research results.
◦ Provide ongoing training of research
personnel in slaughter techniques, carcass fabrication, further processing of
meat products, and retail meat merchandising.
◦ Establish
written research targets, develop "Standard Operating Procedures",
and enforce consistent research methodology associated with the unit.
Regulatory and Financial
Oversight
• Maintain fiscal responsibility at the
facility including management of facility expenses, development of budgets and
reports, recovery of teaching and research costs, and maintenance of accounting
records for budgetary and compliance purposes.
◦ Maintain current and develop new avenues
for retail and wholesale of meat products.
◦ Hire and supervise needed staff to
maintain operations and optimize staff costs.
• Promote and maintain a work environment with
the highest standards of worker safety.
◦ Attend departmental operational, safety,
and development meetings.
◦ Establish and maintain professional and
safe standards for facility appearance.
◦ Supervise maintenance of facilities to
ensure competence and integrity of research efforts.
◦ Provide training on and reinforcement of
safe working standards including lock-out, tag-out, use of PPE, and electrical
and chemical safety.
◦ Maintain
records of safety inspections and accident reports.
Additional Duties and Responsibilities for Senior Research Specialist in Agriculture:
• Implement cost-saving measures
without compromising the quality of research or compliance.
◦ Maintain records in accordance to
departmental standards.
◦ Develop and execute long-term financial
and operational strategies.
◦ Reconcile monthly sales transactions.
• Oversee and manage the operations Hazard
Analysis Critical Control Point plan.
Minimum Qualifications for Senior Research Specialist:
Preferred Qualifications for Research Specialist:
Physical Demands/Working Conditions:
When working, the employee
may be exposed to a variety of environmental factors to include, but not
limited to, hot or cold weather, exposure to noise and allergens, and uneven
ground. In performing the functions of this position, the employee may be subjected
to various physical demands including ability to move, transfer and/or
transport items that may occasionally weigh up to fifty (50) pounds and and
twisting, pushing and pulling movements.
This is a full-time (100%,
12-month) Academic Professional appointment, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after September 16, 2026. Salary is competitive and
commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering
internal equity. The budgeted salary range for the Research Specialist position
is $60,000 to $70,000 and the budgeted salary range for the Senior Research
Specialist position is $70,000 to $85,000. This position is not eligible for
any type of sponsorship for work authorization.
Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on September 3, 2026. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact Jonathon Mosley, Department of Animal Sciences (jfmosley@illinois.edu). For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.
At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — the state’s flagship public university and one of the world’s leading research institutions — every staff member helps shape what’s next Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you’re empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence — where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.
This position is intended to be eligible for benefits This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify
Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or accessibility@illinois.edu
Requisition ID 1037220
Job Category Research
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu
