Associate Professor, Food Safety & Molecular Microbiology

Position Description

The Department of Animal and Food Sciences in the Davis College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at Texas Tech University invites applications for a full‑time, 9‑month, tenure‑track or tenured Associate Professor of Molecular Food Safety, beginning September 1, 2026. Effort allocation and expectation for this position is 70% research and 30% teaching.

Texas Tech University is a comprehensive public research institution with more than 40,000 students. The Department of Animal and Food Sciences (AFS) and the International Center for Food Industry Excellence (ICFIE) are internationally recognized for excellence in food safety, food microbiology, and meat science. This position represents a strategic investment in molecular food safety research and teaching that supports TTU’s leadership in sustainable food systems, One Health, and industry collaboration.

The successful candidate will develop a nationally recognized, externally funded program in molecular food safety focused on the detection, characterization, and control of foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, and

E. coli (STECs). Responsibilities include teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in food microbiology, food safety, and molecular methods; mentoring students; and collaborating with industry, government, and academic partners to translate research into practical solutions that enhance food safety and workforce readiness.

Established in 1923, Texas Tech University is a Carnegie R1 (very high research activity) Doctoral/Research‑Extensive, Hispanic Serving, and state‑assisted institution. Located on a 1,850‑acre campus in Lubbock, Texas, the university enrolls over 40,000 students and is the primary research institution in the western two‑thirds of the state.

The Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources includes the departments of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Agricultural Education and Communications, Animal and Food Sciences, Landscape Architecture, Plant and Soil Science, and Veterinary Sciences, along with multiple research centers and institutes.

The Department of Animal and Food Sciences prepares ethical leaders and advances innovation in animal agriculture, food systems, equine, and companion animal science. Guided by our values of accountability, community, excellence, grit, and integrity, we pursue impactful teaching, research, and outreach that improve animal lives, strengthen resilient food systems, and enhance human–animal connections.

• Lead an externally funded, nationally recognized research program in molecular food safety, emphasizing pathogens such as Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, and Shiga toxin–producing
  
  E. coli (STECs).
• Apply advanced molecular and genomic techniques (PCR, RT‑PCR, next‑generation sequencing, metagenomics, serotyping) to detect, characterize, and quantify foodborne pathogens in food and food‑animal systems.
• Investigate pathogen adaptation, persistence, and evolution within food production environments to inform prevention and control strategies.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary research teams addressing microbial risks across the food system and publish results in high‑impact, peer‑reviewed journals.
• Secure competitive extramural funding from federal (USDA, NIH, NSF, DoD), state, and industry sources.

• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in food safety, microbiology, or molecular methods within the core curriculum.
• Develop innovative instructional materials and experiential learning opportunities integrating current molecular and genomic approaches.
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate students, serve as a major advisor, and supervise postdoctoral researchers as appropriate.

• Engage with the food industry, government agencies (USDA, FDA, FSIS), and professional organizations to translate research findings into applied solutions.
• Provide technical expertise and training to industry and regulatory partners in molecular food safety applications.
• Contribute to…