Career Center

Position Summary

The Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition (FSHN) in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) at Michigan State University invites applications for a full‐time, 9-month tenure track Assistant Professor to conduct research and teaching in the general area of food microbiology.   The anticipated assignment would be 60% research, 30% teaching, and 10% service.  The anticipated start date for this position is July 1, 2024.  

We seek a creative scholar who will develop an internationally recognized research program on food microbiology with a strong focus on microbiomes/metagenomics of foods and data science.  Research focus areas could include microbial ecology in food production systems, food fermentations and food waste transformation by microbial processes, food safety intervention technologies, data systems for food safety, and risk assessment of human pathogens of foods. Work in these areas will ultimately contribute to processes aimed at improving food safety, quality, and human health.

Microbiology is important to all aspects of food safety and security from farm to fork. Food microbiologists are essential contributors to multi-disciplinary teams studying the role of microbes in food technology, food safety and hygiene, food genomics, functional foods, and probiotics. Omics (such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics) generates data that can extend the range of information from a single system and increase detection, tracking and adaptation of foodborne microbes in processing environments. As omics technologies have improved, there is a movement to go beyond understanding individual microbes and focus on the microbial communities associated with foods and food production environments. Determining behavior of microbes (beneficial and harmful) as a community throughout different food production chains will be the next big task in improving the safety and quality of the food supply. As the food industry and regulatory agencies are collecting significant amounts of microbial omics data, new solutions are needed to leverage these datasets for improving microbial safety of the food supply. Characterizing the microbial ecosystem during food fermentations has the potential to improve food quality and provide new insights into favorable microbes that promote human health.

The successful candidate is expected to build research collaborations, as appropriate, with colleagues within the FSHN department, other CANR units (e.g. Biosystems Engineering, Animal Science, etc.) and other MSU departments (e.g. Microbiology and Molecular Genetics). The successful candidate will be expected to generate support for their research program through federal, state, and industry grants and partnerships. This successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the teaching mission of the FSHN department by developing and teaching courses at the undergraduate and graduate level, as well as advising graduate students in the department.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Doctorate -Food Science, Microbiology, or a closely

Minimum Requirements

An earned Ph.D. in Food Science, Microbiology, or a closely related field). A demonstrated record of research experience in food microbiology with a strong focus on microbiomes/metagenomics of foods and data science. Applicants should have a clear record of scholarly activities in their field as demonstrated by peer-reviewed publications.  Applicants should have demonstrated capability to contribute to the teaching mission of the FSHN department. 

Desired Qualifications

Demonstrated excellence in research and teaching in food microbiology with a strong focus on microbiomes/metagenomics of foods and data science. Evidence of research funding. Highly qualified candidates will also have post-doctoral experience and a record of funding from national and/or international agencies. Experience in developing interdisciplinary collaborations and stakeholder engagement is also desired. 

Required Application Materials

Upload the following required documents: a) letter of interest that includes i) qualifications for the position ii) a statement of your teaching and mentorship philosophy highlighting how your experiences align with the position (2-page maximum); b) current curriculum vitae; c) a description of how you will contribute to our diversity, equity and inclusion goals (1 page); and d) contact information for three professional references. Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

Special Instructions

For additional information or questions, contact Teresa Bergholz: tmb@msu.edu.

Review of Applications Begins On

11/15/2023

Summary of Health Risks

Potential health risks based upon individual's area of research.

Remote Work Statement

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.

Website

https://www.canr.msu.edu/fshn/

Department Statement

The Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition is home to three undergraduate majors (Dietetics, Food Science, and Nutritional Sciences) and three graduate programs (Food Science, Human Nutrition, and a combined MS in Human Nutrition / Dietetic Internship program).  The department has strong programs in food and health and is committed to linking food, the environment, and human health. Its highly collaborative and productive faculty provide a very positive environment for professional growth and program expansion.

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.

About Michigan State University

Spartans work every day to advance the common good in uncommon ways.Together, we tackle some of the world?s toughest problems to find solutions that make life better?from alternative energy to better food safety to breakthrough medical and environmental applications achieved through rare isotope research.We teach. We explore and we discover. We collaborate and lead. We innovate, inspire, and empower. We achieve our potential and create circumstances that help our students and others achieve theirs.We're good at it, and we've been at it for more than 150 years.The nation?s pioneer land-grant university, MSU began as a bold experiment that democratized higher education and helped bring science and innovation into everyday life. The revolutionary concept became a model for the nation.Today, MSU is one of the top research universities in the world?on one of the biggest, greenest campuses in the nation. Home to nationally ranked and recognized academic, residential college, and service-learning programs, we?re a diverse community of dedicated students and scholars, athletes and artists, scientists and leaders.In ways both practical and profound, we work to create a stronger, more sustainable, and more hopeful future for all.

Connections working at Michigan State University