Assistant​/Associate Professor - Food Science Extension Specialist

Overview

The Department of Food Science and Technology at UGA is seeking a highly motivated and creative individual to develop an Extension and research program in the area of food safety with a focus on process engineering and the influence of product formulation.

The selected candidate will support and advance Georgia's food and beverage industries through expertise in processing and preservation technologies and extension of science-based information to relevant stakeholders, and develop a complementary research program with the capacity to sustain itself through extramural funding. This position will involve developing a nationally recognized Extension program that addresses the needs of Georgia's established food industries and supports emerging food businesses.

The program will include in-person and/or online workshops, applied and collaborative research addressing industry challenges, and partnerships with faculty in business and marketing to assist food entrepreneurs, including process approvals for manufactured foods. The University of Georgia values interdisciplinary collaboration, and the successful candidate will be encouraged to engage with faculty across the Colleges of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Engineering, and Family and Consumer Sciences as they build their Extension and research programs.

Given the growth of food manufacturing in Georgia, this role offers significant engagement opportunities through Extension and research, and the expectation that the selected candidate will develop and deliver unique Extension programing, serve as a conduit between academia and industry when exploring scientific and technical innovations, and provide foundational food safety training (e.g. Preventive Controls, Better Process Control School) that drive industry success.

Potential research areas include thermal and non-thermal processing, beverage production, fermentation, and packaging.

Posting Specific Questions

Posting Specific Questions and required documentation are listed below. Duties include developing an Extension and research program, delivering training, conducting applied and collaborative research, securing extramural funding, and building partnerships across disciplines to support Georgia’s food industries.

Minimum Qualifications
A Ph.D. in food science, food microbiology, food safety, food engineering, agricultural engineering, or a closely related field is required.

Relevant/Preferred Education, Experience, Licensure, and/or Certification
Preferred Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

• The successful candidate will demonstrate:
  1) a strong potential to secure external funding to support Extension and research efforts;
  2) excellent oral and written communication skills;
  3) proven capacity to engage constructively with colleagues and stakeholders; and
  4) a commitment to collaborative, multidisciplinary work.
• Expertise in the food/beverage industry is highly desirable.
• Expertise in areas such as packaging systems, ingredient technology, and regulatory compliance is highly desirable.

Location of Vacancy:
Athens Area

EEO Statement:
The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb).

USG Core Values:
Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. Details available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and online at https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Freedom of Expression policy details at https://.

Classification Title Open Rank; FLSA Faculty Rank Open Rank;
Contract Type Academic (9 mo.);
Tenure Status Tenure Track;
Minimum Qualifications as noted above.

Special Instructions to Applicants:
Applicants must submit: (1) a letter of application; (2)…