Job Summary

Assistant Professor, Translational Food Chemistry

Tenure-track Assistant Professor (9-month) position in Food Science with research and teaching appointment in an area related to food chemistry, material science, and processing. The successful candidate will join a 23-member faculty in the Department of Food Science housed in the Philip E. Nelson Hall of Food Science building on the main campus of Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, USA.

Education

Ph.D. in Food Science/Technology, Material Science, Chemistry/Biochemistry, or other related fields.

Core Competencies

Responsibilities:

The successful candidate is expected to develop a nationally recognized research program focusing on food structures, in terms of their chemistry and material properties that lead to quality formulations and processes. The research program could include predictive structure-function modeling and new data-based learnings. Core expertise in food chemistry and food ingredient technology should translate to applications in areas including conventional and novel processed food types, foods for health, personalized foods for health, and others. The successful candidate will establish an externally funded research program from sources including federal agencies and industry, advise graduate and undergraduate research students, advance and disseminate subject knowledge, and teach undergraduate and/or graduate level courses such as food analysis and food chemistry. Potential exists for teaching distance courses. The successful candidate will be expected to be an active member of the departmental and university faculty, and to engage in national and international professional activities.

The Department is an integral part of the College of Agriculture, one of the world’s leading colleges of agricultural, food, life, and natural resource sciences, and ranked eighth globally in the 2022 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 11 academic departments and includes 302 faculty, 2823 undergraduate students, and 689 graduate students. The College’s current strategic plan can be accessed at https://ag.purdue.edu/about/strategic-plan.html.

Appointment and Salary: Assistant Professor (9-month; tenure-track). Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. A background check will be required for employment in this position.

Experience

Ph.D. in Food Science/Technology, Material Science, Chemistry/Biochemistry, or other related fields. Applicants will be considered with strong background in food chemistry, analysis, material science and/or processing. Candidates should have the ability to integrate a broad but basic food chemistry knowledge with formulation science (hence, "translational food chemistry"). Candidates should have a demonstrated success in teaching, and good communication, teamwork, leadership, mentoring, and problem-solving skills. Applicants who also have industry experience will be considered.

Application Material

All materials must be combined into one pdf and submitted electronically via this site: Candidates should submit application materials electronically at https://careers.purdue.edu. The job requisition ID for this position is 22811.

Application materials must include:

1. Cover letter that speaks to the candidate’s qualifications for and interests in the position as described herein with contact information. Purdue University, the College of Agriculture and the Department of Food Science are committed to free and open inquiry in all matters. Candidates are encouraged to address in their cover letter how they are prepared to contribute to a climate that values free inquiry and academic freedom.
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. Diversity and inclusion statement explaining how the candidate’s teaching, scholarship, and mentoring, has helped or will help to foster and advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the department and the college.
4. Statement of research interests and future research direction.
5. Statement of Teaching Philosophy.
6. A list of three professional references with contact information.

Purdue University’s Department of Food Science is committed to advancing diversity in all areas of faculty effort, including discovery, instruction, and engagement. Candidates should address at least one of these areas in a separate Diversity and Inclusion Statement, indicating their past experiences, current interests or activities, and/or future goals to promote a climate that values diversity and inclusion.

Screening Deadline

Screening of applicants will begin on December 31, 2022 and will continue until the position is filled. For additional information contact Cory Brenner at cdbrenner@purdue.edu.                                 

Benefits Eligibility

EOE/AA statement

Purdue University is an EOE/AA employer. All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.