"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.