Assistant Professor in Bio-functional Food Processing; Tenure-Track

The Department of Food Science studies everything from the health benefits of food components (e.g., plant phytochemicals) to processing technologies that ensure the delivery of safe food that supports human health. This position seeks to identify candidates whose research will improve our understanding of the influence of processing technologies on bio-functional foods and their ability to improve metabolic health. A hire in bio-functional food processing will complement existing departmental expertise in nanotechnology, metabolomics, and gut microbiology. This hire will study processing technologies that ensure safe foods that benefit metabolic health. The research interests of the hire should enhance collaboration within the cluster and across the greater Rutgers research community. A faculty hire in this area is core to the mission of the department and the food science undergraduate and graduate curricula and will teach courses in food process engineering and/or principles of food science, as well as take an active role in advising students and supporting student research opportunities. Post-baccalaureate degree in food science is required.

Metabolic Health Cluster Hire

The School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (SEBS) and the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES) at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is leading the way to achieve a healthy and sustainable future. We do this through a rich tradition in research, education, entrepreneurship, outreach, and engagement. Our hiring initiative in Metabolic Health integrates the molecular and physiological underpinnings and environmental influences that impact the sustainable wellbeing of humans, animals, and ecosystems. Metabolic Health is essential to solving many challenges which affect the future of life on Earth.

We seek to hire an interdisciplinary cluster of four tenure-track faculty colleagues whose scholarly interests and goals fit within the SEBS core areas of strength which span from microorganisms to ecosystems. Successful applicants will prioritize and align with SEBS values of inclusivity, interdisciplinary excellence and scholarly relevance leading to innovative research programs, student success, and community engagement.

See: https://sebs.rutgers.edu/strategic-plan/core-areas.php

Faculty hires will affiliate with one of several academic departments: Animal Sciences, Biochemistry and Microbiology, Food Science, and Nutritional Sciences. Specific research areas are shown below, though any area related to metabolic health will be considered.

* Gastrointestinal physiology

* Microbial metabolism

* Bio-functional food processing

* Nutrition and metabolic health

Tenure-track nine-month academic appointments are at the Assistant Professor level. Successful applicants will be competitive for external funding opportunities with the potential to establish an integrated research program and must be committed to teaching core and elective courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels and to mentoring research students at all degree levels.

The School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (SEBS) powers the university's robust exploration of sciences. From microorganisms to a changing climate, the land, air and ocean, nutrition and food sciences, animals, and plants. SEBS- NJAES continues to successfully serve the increasingly diverse population of New Jersey by integrating basic and applied research with education, outreach, and engagement to achieve community-serving outcomes. The New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition, and Health (IFNH) plays a central role in these efforts, building on Rutgers' extensive and pioneering work in the fields of agriculture, food science, nutritional science, and human and animal health. IFNH underscores the commitment of Rutgers University to new transformational initiatives across the many disciplines impacting food, nutrition, and health. The institute embraces a culture of interdisciplinarity that seeks solutions to our health problems in the social as well as the biological determinants of health. IFNH oversees a spectrum of translational activity ranging from basic research to community outreach. The breadth of its activities is reflected in the diversity of its research centers, thematic programs, and student services. As one of its top program priorities, the institute focuses on ways to stem the epidemic rise in childhood obesity and obesity-related disorders such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.

Post-baccalaureate degree in food science is required combined with advanced research training and experience.

Demonstrated record of scholarship. Strong written and oral presentation skills.

Strong interpersonal skills and experience working in multi-disciplinary teams.

Demonstrated record of scholarship. Strong written and oral presentation skills.

Strong interpersonal skills and experience working in multi-disciplinary teams.

Rutgers and SEBS are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion (https://diversity.rutgers.edu). One of our main priorities is to diversify our faculty ranks as outlined in the SEBS/ NJAES DEI strategic plan to ensure our faculty composition reflects the diversity of our state and student population. We especially encourage applications from backgrounds underrepresented in the sciences including Black, Latine, Indigenous, and LGBTQ+ scientists.

Applications submitted before January 2, 2024, will receive full consideration, with review continuing until the positions are filled. Applicants should provide a cover letter that includes a brief summary of their academic background, why they are interested in this opportunity and contact information for three references, a curriculum vitae (CV), a statement of research interests and how they align with or complement existing research at SEBS/Rutgers (3 page maximum), a statement of teaching interests and philosophy (2 page maximum), and a statement discussing their past experiences and philosophy for promoting equity and inclusion in a diverse educational environment through research, teaching, mentoring, and service (2 page maximum). For guidance on preparing a diversity statement: https://execdeanagriculture.rutgers.edu/diversity-equity-inclusion/diversity-statement-instructions.php . For additional information about the positions, please submit inquiries to weston@sebs.rutgers.edu.

Food Science and Nutritional Sciences Building
65 Dudley Road
New Brunswick, NJ 08901