Assistant/Associate Professor, Dairy Foods Processing

Kansas State University; Manhattan (KS); On-site; USD 108,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Kansas State University’s Department of Animal Sciences and Industry (ASI) invites applications for a faculty role to lead a nationally recognized dairy foods research program and contribute to undergraduate and graduate teaching in dairy processing and related manufacturing. Role emphasizes externally funded research, collaboration with dairy processors and industry partners, and student mentorship.

The position leverages facilities in Call Hall and the Western Star Global Grain and Food

Qualifications

• Earned doctorate in a dairy, food, animal, engineering, biomanufacturing or related field.
• Demonstrated scholarly productivity appropriate to career stage.
• Ability to teach and mentor students in modern instructional environments.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain a nationally recognized, externally funded research program in dairy foods processing and innovative manufacturing.
• Pursue competitive extramural funding from federal agencies, industry, and foundations.
• Build productive partnerships with dairy processors, food manufacturers, equipment makers and other industry stakeholders.
• Maintain and utilize the renovated Call Hall dairy processing plant and R&D space for research and industry collaboration.
• Develop approaches to improve safety, quality, functionality, sustainability, efficiency and economic viability of dairy products and processes.
• Translate research findings into technologies, publications, and IP with real-world impact.
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate students.
• Publish and present research results at journals, conferences and extension programs.

Skills

Teaching & mentoring

Research program development

Grant writing

Industry collaboration

Education

Doctorate

Job description

About This Role

In this role, you will actively utilize the department’s newly renovated dairy processing plant and R&D space in Call Hall (https://www.asi.k-state.edu/about/facilities/Dairy-Plant.html), along with the state-of-the-art Western Star Global Grain and Food Center’s pilot food plants and educational spaces (https://www.k-state.edu/ag-innovation/facilities/global-center-grain-food-innovation/), as platforms for research, teaching, industry engagement, product development, and workforce training. Multiple advanced research facilities and core laboratories are available across campus to facilitate interdisciplinary interactions (https://www.k-state.edu/research/faculty/core-facilities/) and research collaborations.

Research Responsibilities — 57.5%

You will be expected to establish and maintain a nationally recognized, externally funded research program addressing challenges and opportunities in dairy foods processing, dairy-based product stream utilization, and innovative food and ingredient manufacturing. Collaborative research opportunities in established K-State programs including biomanufacturing, Food As Medicine, functional foods development, pet and animal food/feed, and other fields of study are abundant (e.g., supply chain management, resource sustainability, automation, artificial intelligence, and sensing technology). Specific position responsibilities are:

• Develop an independent and collaborative research program in dairy foods processing and innovative manufacturing technologies.
• Pursue competitive extramural funding from federal agencies, industry, commodity organizations, foundations, and other funding sources.
• Establish and maintain productive partnerships with dairy processors, food manufacturers, equipment manufacturers, technology companies, and other industry stakeholders.
• Help maintain and utilize the renovated Call Hall dairy processing plant (creamery), including its dedicated R&D space, as a platform for research, product development, technology demonstration, and industry collaboration.
• Develop innovative approaches to improve the safety, quality, functionality, sustainability, efficiency, and/or economic viability of dairy products and manufacturing processes, including byproduct utilization.
• Translate research findings into technologies, processes, products, publications, intellectual property, and other forms of impact.
• Mentor graduate students and undergraduate researchers.
• Publish research findings in appropriate peer-reviewed scientific journals and communicate results through professional meetings, industry conferences, K-State Extension, and stakeholder programs.

Teaching — 37.5%

As an ASI faculty member, you will be a critical contributor to the department's dynamic undergraduate and graduate degree programs, emphasizing its dairy concentration area (https://www.asi.k-state.edu/academics/undergraduate/asi/concentrations/). Teaching responsibilities will include:

• Develop and/or contribute to dairy processing and food science-related courses or modules addressing dairy manufacturing concepts at the undergraduate and graduate levels, per departmental needs.
• Teach courses in both on-campus and online formats, using contemporary instructional technologies and pedagogical approaches.
• Provide students with practical, hands‑on learning experiences utilizing the university's dairy processing plant and associated processing and analytical equipment.
• Integrate modern manufacturing concepts—including automation, process monitoring, data analytics, artificial intelligence, sustainability, byproduct utilization, and process optimization—into appropriate courses.
• Mentor undergraduate and graduate students to promote professional development and career preparation.
• Contribute to departmental, college and university initiatives for experiential learning, industry engagement, student internships, and workforce development.

Service – 5%

Faculty in ASI have the opportunity, and are expected, to engage in activities that support the department, college, university and professional entities. Examples of such activities include serving on committees, participating in university governing bodies, organizing events, engaging with student clubs and competition teams, overseeing departmental research or livestock units, serving as an officer in a professional organization, etc.

About Us

The Department of Animal Sciences and Industry (ASI) serves students, livestock producers and the animal and food industries through teaching, research and education. The Dept. of ASI prepares student for careers in the animal and food industries.

The curriculum includes the study of nutrition, reproduction, genetics, behavior, meat science and food sciences with production, management, and agribusiness skills. Students are given sound professional and scientific skills, a broad education and experience for contributing to our communities across the nation and abroad. Students receive excellent advisement and mentorship from faculty and professional staff and participate in extracurricular activities to develop skills to become industry leaders.

Worksite Description

This position is On-site.

All employees must reside in the United States when they begin working to comply with state law. K-State is unable to provide remote or hybrid work opportunities for residents of the state of Idaho.

What You'll Need to Succeed

Minimum Qualifications:

• An earned doctorate in dairy science, food science, animal science, food engineering, agricultural engineering, biomanufacturing, or a closely related discipline at the time of appointment.
• Demonstrated expertise in dairy foods and/or dairy ingredient processing.
• Evidence of scholarly productivity appropriate to career stage.
• Demonstrated ability or evidence of potential to teach and mentor students effectively in modern instructional environments.

The degree requirement is necessary for accreditation purposes and to ensure candidates possess the specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities that can only be attained through a formal educational program at this level.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Hands‑on work experience in pilot-scale and/or commercial-scale dairy processing facilities.
• Familiarity with traditional and emerging/innovative dairy manufacturing technologies.
• Working knowledge of automated processing systems, process control, sensors, data analytics, artificial intelligence, and other advanced manufacturing technologies.
• A record of successful external funding or demonstrated success in developing industry-supported research.
• Ability to work effectively as a team member in multidisciplinary and industry-partnered research environments.
• Experience teaching online courses.
• History of working collaboratively with dairy processors, food manufacturers, equipment manufacturers, and/or technology companies.
• Experience with technology transfer, intellectual property and commercialization.
• Strong writing, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of and commitment to the land‑grant university mission and the K‑State Next‑Gen Strategic Plan.

Sponsorship eligibility:

This position is eligible for sponsorship

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range

$108,000 - $125,000