"Associate Professor/Senior Lecturer, Food Microbiology & Safety"

About the Role

The candidate (Food Microbiology and Food Safety) will contribute to the teaching and research efforts in areas such as food microbiology, foodborne pathogens, microbial ecology of food systems, antimicrobial resistance, fermentation microbiology, and food safety systems and regulation within the department. The candidate will play a key role in the delivery and coordination of the department's teaching programs, while actively engaging in research, industry collaboration, and professional activities. This role will focus on:

• Developing and leading high-impact research projects aligned with the University's research priorities in the Department of Food Technology and Nutrition
• Areas of particular interest include microbial food safety, emerging pathogens, rapid detection technologies, predictive microbiology, precision fermentation, synthetic biology and the interface between food microbiota and human health.
• Attracting external research funding, publish high-quality outputs, and provide mentorship to emerging researchers.

As the successful applicant, you will have a leadership role in embedding microbiological and food safety research and sustainable precision fermentation within the broader activities of the School of Science. The role requires building and sustaining strong research and professional networks both within RMIT and with industry, government regulators, and national and international research partners. Candidates with a track record of externally funded research in food microbiology or safety will be viewed favourably.

This strategic appointment will enhance the School's capability in addressing global challenges in food safety, public health, and sustainable food production. The appointee will also contribute to program development and management, postgraduate supervision, and the continuous improvement of academic excellence across the department's teaching and research portfolio.

To be successful for this position, you will have:

• Demonstrated ability to coordinate and deliver large foundational and advanced courses in Food Microbiology and Food Safety, taught across both semesters at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. This includes development of high-quality curriculum and learning materials, as well as implementing innovative, student-centred teaching strategies and continuous improvement processes informed by feedback and evaluation.
• Proven ability to manage large academic programs or a portfolio of smaller programs within the food science and microbiology discipline, ensuring alignment with academic standards, industry needs, and institutional priorities.
• Demonstrated commitment to supporting student learning and wellbeing, with the ability to identify and address academic or personal issues that may impact student success, especially in laboratory-based and applied science contexts.
• An emerging nationally and internationally recognised research track record in food microbiology, food safety, precision fermentation or a related area, with a growing record of research outputs in high-quality peer-reviewed journals and/or industry-relevant publications.
• Extensive experience in research leadership in food microbiology and safety, with a demonstrated capacity to develop and lead collaborative research teams, mentor early-career academics, secure competitive external research funding, and manage funded projects with complex budgets and reporting requirements.
• Proven experience of supervising higher degree by research (HDR) candidates, with a strong commitment to developing research capability and improving research outcomes in food microbiology and food safety.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage academic teaching teams, fostering a collegial and supportive environment that builds teaching and research capability among less experienced academic staff.
• Strong understanding of and commitment to financial, governance, and quality assurance systems in a university setting, including academic integrity, compliance, and continuous improvement processes.
• High-level interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills, including the ability to liaise effectively with senior university leadership, external partners, and regulatory bodies, and to prepare high-quality executive reports, secure consensus on priorities, and deliver agreed targets within collaborative environments.

Qualifications

Mandatory: PhD in relevant field.

Note: Appointment to this position is subject to passing a Working with Children Check and other checks as required by the specific role. Maintaining a valid Working With Children Check is a condition of employment at RMIT.

To Apply

Please submit your CV and cover letter and separately address the Key Selection Criteria for this position by clicking on the 'Apply' link at the top of this page. For further information, please contact Associate Professor Head of Department & Associate Dean Food Technology & Nutrition at jayani.chandrapala@rmit.edu.au