The Department of Animal Science in the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources at the University of Connecticut is soliciting applications for the position of Assistant Professor of Food Science. Candidates with a variety of disciplinary backgrounds and research and teaching interests in food science are encouraged to apply.

The Department of Animal Science offers A.A.S., B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees and is comprised of 15 faculty members with research interests in food science, physiology, nutrition, molecular genetics, genomics, stem cell biology, embryology, and general animal management. The University of Connecticut is AAALAC accredited. Complete information on the department and its programs can be found at http://www.animalscience.uconn.edu/ . The UConn COR2E, Institute for Systems Genomics and the Center for Genome Innovation on the Storrs campus foster a strong collegial atmosphere in genomics and unparalleled infrastructure support for research and training in genetics, genomics, and bioinformatics. The UConn Technology Park, Bioscience Connecticut Initiative, and Next Generation Connecticut, recently approved by the state of Connecticut with funding of $1.5 billion, will offer exceptional opportunities to establish interdisciplinary collaborations with other investigators and industry partners, particularly in STEM disciplines. In partnership with the Jackson Laboratory, the University has recently developed the Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, a collaborative nonprofit research institute, which will provide opportunity for valuable collaborations. In addition, the construction of a new Biosafety Level 2 facility for conducting research with small farm animals and poultry is scheduled to be completed by November 2018.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The candidate is expected to develop a strong, independent, extramurally-funded, innovative research program in food science that addresses and complements existing departmental research activities in animal production, microbial food safety, food microbiology, probiotics, and microbiomes. The successful applicant will be expected to apply contemporary molecular, genomic, and bioinformatics approaches to increase the understanding of food safety and quality issues relevant to food production, food processing, or public health. Program emphases may include, but are not limited to development and validation of novel detection, isolation and control methods for food contaminants; fate and dissemination of food contaminants; understanding and mitigating antimicrobial resistance; alternatives to antibiotics; poultry microbiology; physiology and genomics of food associated microorganisms; impact of foods on the gut microbiome; food virology; processing and packaging technologies that improve food safety and quality and minimize food waste; nanotechnology approaches; and mathematical modeling and risk assessment related to food safety or microbiology.

Additional responsibilities include:

• Teach undergraduate course in food science and develop a graduate course in the candidate's area of expertise
• Develop a nationally competitive graduate program in food quality and safety
• Recruit and advise undergraduate and graduate students in the Animal Science Department
• Participate as a collaborative faculty member in the instructional and research programs in the Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, and other academic units within the University of Connecticut
• Contribute to the outreach and service functions of the Department, College, and the University

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates must have a Ph.D. in Food Science, Animal Science, Dairy Science, Meat Science, Microbiology, or closely related field with an emphasis on Food Microbiology. Equivalent foreign degrees are accepted. Candidates must have experience in teaching or assisting in teaching at the university level. A demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publications of original research is required. Candidates must have demonstrated excellent skills in oral and written communication and strong interpersonal skills with a deep commitment to promoting diversity through academic and research programs.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates with postdoctoral experience will be given a strong preference. Preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate evidence of capability to generate extramural funding, ability to carry out independent research using an innovative, collaborative, and/or multidisciplinary research approach; active participation in major professional societies and international meetings; as well as a record of effective teaching, such as integrating technology into instruction and online instruction and student mentoring.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a 9-month, tenure-track position with 70% research and 30% teaching commitments at the Assistant Professor level. The successful candidate's academic appointment will be at the Storrs campus. Faculty may also be asked to teach at one of UConn's regional campuses as part of their ordinary workload. Anticipated start date is August 23, 2018. Salary will be commensurate with experience.

TO APPLY

Please select "Apply" to submit the following: a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a brief statement of research interests and teaching philosophy (maximum two pages), and at least five letters of recommendation. Only applications submitted via Academic Jobs Online ( https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo?job-1016 ) will be accepted. To ensure full consideration, applications should be received no later than March 23, 2018. Evaluation of applicants will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Employment of the successful candidate will be contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check. (Search #2018399).

Inquiries should be sent to the search committee chair, Dr. Dennis D'Amico, ddamico@uconn.edu .

The University of Connecticut is committed to building and supporting a multicultural and diverse community of students, faculty and staff. The diversity of students, faculty and staff continues to increase, as does the number of honors students, valedictorians and salutatorians who consistently make UConn their top choice. More than 100 research centers and institutes serve the University's teaching, research, diversity, and outreach missions, leading to UConn's ranking as one of the nation's top research universities. UConn's faculty and staff are the critical link to fostering and expanding our vibrant, multicultural and diverse University community. The University of Connecticut is an EEO/AA employer. UConn encourages applications from women, veterans, people with disabilities and members of traditionally underrepresented populations.



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