Assistant Professor in Food Safety & Microbiology

Assistant Professor in Food Safety & Microbiology
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN

Position: Tenure-track 60% extension and 40% research position in Food Safety and microbiology Extension at the Assistant Professor level.

Description:

This position will be a nine-month, tenure-track appointment involving research and extension that supports the mission of the Department of Food Science and Nutrition. This is a core position that will provide critical support to the University of Minnesota Extension on food safety and that will support Extension in developing and implementing food safety programming supporting the needs of the food industry and small-scale food processors and manufacturers, including cottage food producers, in Minnesota. The appointee will further participate in the delivery of food safety training aimed at food safety professionals. Research should be at the forefront of microbiology and food safety with strong connections to professional associations and relevant to the industry.

Partners & stakeholders: The appointee will have a dual academic/extension appointment and is expected to closely interact with the Department of Agricultural and Natural Resource Systems of University of Minnesota Extension. The appointee is furthermore expected to develop collaborations with other investigators within the Department, the College, and the University, including the Minnesota Integrated Food Safety Center of Excellence and the Center for Animal Health and Food Safety and maintain close relationships with stakeholders in the food safety field, the food industry, the Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Stakeholders include the Minnesota Cottage Food Producers' Association, the Minnesota Farmers' Market Association and the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI).

Extension (60%):
Program Leadership and Development (30%)

• Design and develop research-based educational programs to address needs focused on food safety in Minnesota.
• Lead curriculum development and serve as a subject matter expert for other Extension educators and specialists in food safety.
• Report on programmatic impacts and accomplishments to relevant stakeholders.
• Foster and contribute to a positive work climate with colleagues, advisory groups, audiences, and strategic alliances.

Program Delivery, Training and Evaluation (15%)

• Support Food Safety Extension Educators in the Department of Agricultural and Natural Resource Systems in jointly developing state-of-the-art programming, including workshops, hands-on training, on-line courses, and demonstrations.
• Provide information and education using a variety of technologies and techniques to optimize programming effectiveness consistent with the intended audience's learning styles.
• Provide expertise regarding food safety techniques, practices and regulations to educators and agency partners by developing and adapting educational materials, tools, training, and project resources.
• Partner with the Department of Agricultural and Natural Resource Systems' evaluation specialists to design and implement program evaluation and distribute results in collaboration with the communication team.
• Act as a Process Authority to liaise between food producers and government to ensure the microbiological safety production of foods and beverages.

Research (40%):

• Develop a strong, extramurally funded research program supporting food safety extension at the University of Minnesota, incorporating the latest research in food safety and microbiology and regulatory, including HACCP and FSMA.
• Develop and sustain a portfolio of applied research and other scholarly activities to meet the needs of the small-scale food industries in Minnesota, including cottage food producers, with a diverse group of colleagues and collaborators.
• Maintain an active program of research dissemination in the form of publications in peer-reviewed journals, presentations at scientific and professional conferences and meetings.
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate students and postdoctoral fellows in their research.
• Establish strong research partnerships across the University of Minnesota system, with other in-state and out-of-state institutions.
• Engage in multistate research grants and centers in the area of food safety.
• Share research outcomes through educational blogs, websites, social media posts, podcasts, conferences and professional and industry meetings.

Partnerships, Stakeholders, and Collaborations (15%)

• Develop and maintain effective local, regional, state, and national strategic alliances that further the development and delivery of Extension educational programs focused on the food industry, including small-scale food processors and manufacturers and cottage food producers, across Minnesota.
• Represent the University of Minnesota on committees, boards and associations on food safety and food safety extension, including the North Central Food Safety Extension Network (NCFSEN), North Central Region Center for FSMA, Multistate projects, and state-wide committees and initiatives.
• Interface with associations of small and intermediate size food producers, including the Minnesota Cottage Food Producers' Association, the Minnesota Farmers' Market Association and the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI).
• Maintain relations with MN state departments, including the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the Minnesota Department of Health.
• Engage in guest lecturing in regular academic courses to represent the Extension perspective.
• Organize student visits to Extension Offices, community and industry partners.
• Participate in University of Minnesota Extension, professional and community service opportunities.

Required

• Earned doctorate in food science with a focus on food microbiology or closely related field; with evidence of strong research skills, published research in peer reviewed scholarly journals, strong communication and interpersonal skills, and commitment to support the diversity of communities and industries across Minnesota.

Preferred

• Evidence of ability to work independently and in collaboration with interdisciplinary team members; with postdoctoral or relevant industrial experience
• Demonstrated potential for acquisition of extramural funding including experience in grant writing and managing grants; experience or interest in working with community groups and organizations
• Experience in effective training and instruction of individuals from diverse backgrounds and age groups.
• Food safety certifications, including FSPCA-PCQI, HACCP-SQF, or intent to obtain those.
• Experience in developing extension educational programming.

Department of Food Science and Nutrition

The Department of Food Science and Nutrition creates and shares knowledge to ensure a safe, healthy, and appealing food supply that supports the well-being and prosperity of people and the environment. The Department creates an environment welcoming of all cultural backgrounds and fosters an organizational culture of collaboration, innovation, entrepreneurship, and shared leadership. As food, health and well-being have a central place in all communities, we hold ourselves accountable to creating an academic environment that both reflects and contributes to our 21st century pluralistic society. In accordance with our history as an 1862 land-grant university, we continue to create an environment of teaching, research and outreach that serves all communities and stakeholders with respect and dignity.

The integration of food science and nutrition provides an exceptional opportunity for the Department to capitalize on the intersection of the areas of health, food culture, dietary habits, food experience, and food production. The Department plays a unique and important role in training professionals and providing service in the fields of food science, nutrition and dietetics. Faculty members in the Department are nationally and internationally recognized scholars in a wide range of nutrition and food science areas including food safety and microbiology, food chemistry, sensory evaluation, food processing, nutrition and health, diet-based disease prevention and community nutrition.

The Department employs 21 tenure/tenure track faculty members and about 30 professional staff members. Current enrollments include over 270 undergraduate majors and around 100 masters and doctoral students. Undergraduate programs include an ACEND-accredited DPD program and an IFT-approved food science program. The department hosts an ACEND-accredited Dietetic Internship, the J.J. Warthesen Food Processing Center, the Sensory Center, the Plant Protein Innovation Center and the Midwest Dairy Foods Research Center. The Department has a history of collaboration with other units, including departments within the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, the College of Science and Engineering, the School of Public Health, the Healthy Foods Healthy Lives Institute, the Hormel Institute and the Forever Green Initiative. For more information about faculty members, programs, and curriculum, see: http://fscn.cfans.umn.edu/.

University of Minnesota Extension

The University of Minnesota Extension is a major outreach arm of the University of Minnesota with a mission to serve the public through applied research and education. Our mission is to make a difference by connecting community needs and University resources to address critical issues in Minnesota. Extension strives to attract and retain high-quality, passionate employees, and weave diversity, equity and inclusion into all aspects of Extension's programming and employee engagement https://extension.umn.edu

Pay Range: $87,000 - $93,000 depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category: 75%-100% Appointment (If job description above does not specify appointment or expected weekly hours, assume a 100% appointment.)

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

Applications must include the following: (1) cover letter; (2) detailed CV/resume; (3) statement describing your extension philosophy focusing on food safety & microbiology (4) statement describing your research philosophy and the relevance of your research to constituents and stakeholders; and (5) names and contact information for three professional references (reference letters should only be provided upon request). Combine all parts of the application (i.e., letter, CV, statements, etc.) into a single document before uploading.

For questions or inquiries about the position, please contact the chair of the search committee, Dr. Jayendra Amamcharla (email: jayendra@umn.edu).

Review of applications will begin on July 18, 2025, and continues until the position is filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).