Associate Extension Specialist in Food Science

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The Department of Food Science prepares our students for jobs in the food industry, government, and academia. Our graduates are highly sought after for their understanding of the basic principles of biology, chemistry and engineering as applied to food. We seek a scholar in Food Science with expertise in in microbial food safety. This tenure-track faculty hire will complement existing departmental expertise in analytical chemistry, biochemistry, food packaging, microbiology, lipid chemistry, nanotechnology, non-thermal processing, natural preservatives, nutraceuticals, and sensory evaluation. An Associate Extension Specialist faculty hire in microbial food safety is core to the mission of the department. This individual will have majority responsibility for extension and outreach (60%), as well as responsibility for research (25%) and teaching (15%). Individuals must have at least one post-baccalaureate degree in Food Science.

The ideal candidate will have experience working with the food industry including experience working with underrepresented food producers. The candidate should have specific experience in conducting microbial challenge studies and predictive modeling of foodborne pathogens. The candidate should have experience leading workshops and training sessions covering HACCP (hazard analysis and critical control points), Produce Safety, Preventive Controls for Human Foods and Foreign Supplier Verification. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated leadership with respect to Regional, Federal and Global food safety policy development and should also have a proven track record of graduate and undergraduate student mentorship, as well as experience leading regional and national grant-funded projects focused on both extension and research projects.

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. 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

This tenure-track eleven-month academic appointment is at the Associate Professor (Extension Specialist) level. Successful applicants will be competitive for external funding opportunities with the potential to establish an integrated research program and must be committed to extension teaching and outreach. This individual will contribute appropriately to courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels and will mentor 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.

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Candidate must have at least one post-baccalaureate degree in Food Science.

Preferred candidate will have experience working with the food industry including experience working with underrepresented food producers. The candidate should have specific experience in conducting microbial challenge studies and predictive modeling of foodborne pathogens. The candidate should have experience leading workshops and training sessions covering HACCP (hazard analysis and critical control points), Produce Safety, Preventive Controls for Human Foods and Foreign Supplier Verification.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated leadership with respect to Regional, Federal and Global food safety policy development. They should also have a proven track record of graduate and undergraduate student mentorship, as well as experience leading regional and national grant-funded projects focused on both extension and research projects.

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.

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 extension interests and philosophy (2 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

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