Title

Assistant Professor of Artificial Intelligence for Animal Improvement

Purdue University in Indianapolis

Artificial Intelligence | Genomics | Biotechnology | Precision Animal Systems

Develop the next generation of data analytics and AI-enabled methods for selecting animals, deriving novel phenotypes, and implementing precision management or interventions to improve animal production systems.

Position

Purdue University invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professor position focused on data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled selection in animal systems. This position will be housed in Indianapolis where the candidate will have the opportunity to shape the academic and research programs offered there. We seek an innovative scholar who develops and applies AI, machine learning, data science, genomics, biotechnology, and predictive modeling to improve decision-making across animal agriculture. The successful candidate will use advanced data science and AI-enabled techniques in areas of interest, including selection and breeding of animals, derivation of novel traits and high-throughput phenotypes, health interventions, infectious disease control, precision management strategies, or production systems. The ultimate goal is to help create the next generation of intelligent animal agriculture. Candidates developing foundational or applied methods in AI, computational biology, quantitative genetics, engineering, bioinformatics, multi-omics data analytics, statistics, or related fields whose work can accelerate improvement across livestock, poultry, aquaculture, companion animals, biomedical animal models, and other relevant animal systems are encouraged to apply. Prior research centered on agricultural animals is valued but not required when a candidate's expertise can be applied to consequential problems in animal agriculture and health.

The successful candidate will establish an internationally recognized and externally funded research program; collaborate across disciplines; mentor graduate students and postdoctoral scholars; and contribute to undergraduate and graduate education. The anticipated appointment will be in the Department of Animal Sciences with opportunities for collaboration and appropriate joint or courtesy appointments across Purdue.

Grand Challenge

How can advanced data analytics and AI enable faster, more accurate, and responsible genetic improvement and precision management to enhance animal health, resilience, productivity, welfare, and sustainability?

Potential Areas of Scholarship

• AI-enabled selection, breeding, and genetic improvement, including genomic prediction of breeding values and phenotypes and next-generation quantitative genetics
• Machine learning and foundation models that integrate genomic, phenotypic, environmental, management, imaging, sensor, and multi-omics data
• High-throughput and digital phenotyping using computer vision, acoustic monitoring, wearable and spectroscopic technologies, robotics, and advanced sensing/diagnostics
• Selection of animals and derivation of novel traits for animal health and welfare, disease resistance, climate resilience, reproduction, efficiency, and product quality
• AI-guided selection of nutritional, microbiome, therapeutic, or management interventions
• Digital twins, causal models, and decision systems that predict animal performance across environments and production systems
• Responsible and transparent AI, including model validation, interpretability, uncertainty, fairness, data governance, and deployment in real-world animal systems
• Large-scale and complex data integration from diverse livestock data sources
• Precision animal agriculture, autonomous monitoring, and producer-facing decision support
• One Health applications connecting animal, human, food, and environmental health

Qualifications

Required

• Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in animal sciences, artificial intelligence, animal breeding, computer science, data science, engineering, genetics, genomics, bioinformatics, computational biology, biotechnology, statistics, applied mathematics, veterinary medicine, or a closely related field by the start date.
• Evidence of research excellence and the potential to establish an internationally recognized, externally funded program.
• Demonstrated ability or strong potential to collaborate across disciplinary boundaries, teach effectively, and mentor students.

Preferred

• Expertise in developing or applying advanced AI and machine-learning approaches to complex biological systems.
• Experience integrating large, multimodal, longitudinal, or multi-omics datasets.
• Postdoctoral research and/or teaching experience, particularly with demonstrated applications of machine learning to animal science or animal systems.
• A strong record of collaborative research, technology translation, industry engagement, or team science.
• Interest or experience in translating methods developed outside of agriculture to animal systems and real-world decision environments.

Responsibilities

• Develop a high-impact, externally funded research program in AI-enabled selection for farm animal systems.
• Publish foundational and translational scholarship in impactful venues in the field and develop data resources, algorithms, software, intellectual property, computing infrastructure, or deployable technologies as appropriate.
• Build interdisciplinary collaborations across agriculture, engineering, computing, veterinary medicine, life sciences, statistics, health, and livestock industries.
• Teach courses aligned with the candidate's expertise and contribute to curricula in AI, data science, genomics, biotechnology, quantitative methods, or animal systems. Course modality is in person. The potential may exist for teaching online/distance courses during the academic year.
• Mentor undergraduate students, graduate students, visiting scholars, and postdoctoral researchers.
• Contribute service and engagement consistent with Purdue's land-grant mission.

Purdue Environment

Purdue offers an exceptional environment for research at the intersection of artificial intelligence, agriculture, engineering, biotechnology, animal production, animal health, and animal welfare. The successful candidate will be positioned to connect Purdue's strengths in animal sciences, agricultural and biological engineering, computer and data sciences, statistics, genomics, population genetics, bioinformatics, sensing, robotics, and One Health.

The position is designed to promote collaboration across Purdue's West Lafayette and Indianapolis locations and with external partners in agriculture, animal health, biotechnology, computing, and the life sciences. The successful candidate will have access to core capabilities in high-performance computing, genomics and multi-omics, advanced instrumentation, animal research and learning facilities, and interdisciplinary graduate education. The successful candidate will have opportunities to collaborate with faculty affiliated with interdisciplinary initiatives and centers including the Institute for Digital and Advanced Agricultural Systems, Institute for Plant Sciences, Center for Plant Biology, Institute for Digital Forestry, Institute for a Sustainable Future, Indiana Water Resources Research Center, Institute for Physical Artificial Intelligence (IPAI), Purdue Computes, and Purdue's One Health Initiative, and a growing ecosystem of AI, computing, sustainability, and resilient systems programs.

The College

The College of Agriculture is one of the world’s leading colleges of agricultural, food, life, and natural resource sciences. The College is ranked third in the U.S. and sixth in the world in the 2026 QS World University Rankings. The College is deeply committed to the three land-grant missions (teaching, research, and extension), to international activities and perspectives that span all missions, and to excellence in all we do. The College has 10 academic departments, 294 faculty, 2,842 undergraduate students, and 694 graduate students.

Rank and Appointment

This is an academic-year, tenure-track appointment at the Assistant Professor level. Salary, startup support, and resources will be competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience. A background check is required for employment in this position.

Application Process

Applicants should submit the following materials through Purdue’s online faculty application system:

• A cover letter describing the candidate's interest in the position and fit with AI-enabled selection for animal systems
• Curriculum vitae
• A research statement describing accomplishments, future vision, potential funding pathways, and opportunities for collaboration
• A teaching and mentoring statement
• Names and contact information for three references
• All materials must be combined into a single PDF and submitted electronically in the CV field on the application link

Application link: [insert link here]

Review date: begins November 15, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled

Search contact: Luiz Brito, britol@purdue.edu

A Broad Invitation

Candidates from AI, animal sciences, bioinformatics, computer science, engineering, genomics, biotechnology, population or quantitative genetics, computational biology, statistics, and related disciplines are strongly encouraged to apply. Candidates do not need to have built their careers exclusively in animal agriculture. We are interested in scholars whose methods, discoveries, and technologies can be translated to improve farm animal systems.

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a leading public research institution with a strong land-grant mission and a culture of interdisciplinary innovation. The College of Agriculture advances discovery, education, and engagement across agricultural, food, life, and natural resource sciences. 

Purdue University is an equal opportunity/equal access university.