Assistant Professor - Food Science

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Mississippi; On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Mississippi State University invites applications for a nine-month, tenure-track faculty position in Food Science within the Department of Biochemistry, Nutrition and Health Promotion. The role involves a 70% teaching appointment in CALS and 30% research through the MSU Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, beginning August 16, 2026.

The candidate will teach both undergraduate and graduate courses in food science and technology, microbiology, chemistry, biochemistry, and/or food product

Qualifications

• PhD in food science, microbiology, or closely related field.
• Experience with proposal writing and publications in refereed journals.

Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in food science and technology, food microbiology, food chemistry, food biochemistry, and/or Food Product Development.
• Mentor undergraduate and graduate students.
• Conduct research, seek extramural funding, publish scholarly works.
• Perform departmental, college, university, and professional service.

Skills

Teaching

Mentoring

Proposal writing

Scholarly publishing

Collaborative work

Education

Doctoral degree in food science or microbiology

Job description

Position Function:

The Department of Biochemistry, Nutrition and Health Promotion(BNHP) at Mississippi State University (MSU) seeks to fill a9-month tenure-track position to begin August 16, 2026. Thesuccessful candidate will hold a 70% appointment in teachingthrough the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and a 30%appointment in research through the Mississippi Agricultural andForestry Experiment Station. The successful candidate will teachboth undergraduate and graduate courses in food science andtechnology, food microbiology, food chemistry, food biochemistry,and/or Food Product Development. In addition, the candidate will beexpected to develop a nationally recognized research program intheir area through scholarship, extramural funding, and mentoringgraduate students.

Salary Grade:

UC

Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and ServiceMaintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salarygrade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges aredetermined by the hiring department.

Department Profile:

The Department of Biochemistry, Nutrition & Health Promotionhas academic, research, and extension education missions within thetraditions of land-grant universities. The Department has facultywith expertise in biochemistry, nutrition/dietetics, food scienceand technology, culinology, and/or health promotion disciplines.The Department offers B.S., M.S., M.P.H., and Ph.D. degrees andcurrently has approximately 550 undergraduate majors and 70graduate students. A hallmark of the Department is its success inpreparing undergraduates for medical school, dental school,veterinary school, and other biomedical professional and/orgraduate programs.

Area of Specialization:

Food Science

Anticipated Appointment Date:

August 16, 2026.

Tenure Track Status:

Yes.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses
• Mentor undergraduate and graduate students
• Conduct research, seek extramural funding, publish scholarlyworks
• Perform departmental, college, university, and professionalservice

Minimum Qualifications:

Doctoral degree in food science, microbiology, or closely relatedfield from an accredited institution. Experience in proposal writing and publications inrefereed journals.

ABDs or degree pending considered (all but DISS):

Yes.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Applicants must have the ability to develop a research program intheir area of interest with extramural funding, teach in variousareas of food science and technology, have people skills needed toadvise both undergraduate and graduate students in the field, aswell as work with a diverse, international student population andfaculty. Ability to work collaboratively, strong oral and writingcommunication skills, and a commitment to fostering a collaborativeand collegial work environment; work effectively with others as ateam member.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

No unusual physical requirements. Requires no heavy lifting, andnearly all work is performed in a comfortable indoorfacility.

Instructions for Applying:

Link to apply: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/

All applicants must apply online at www.jobs.msstate.edu. Candidates should submit additional required items by onlineattachments or other means. These items include, but are notlimited to: 1) A letter of application 2) Personal statement of teaching, research, and outreachphilosophy. 3) Curriculum Vitae - including details on education, experience,and research publications. 4) Names and contact information (i.e.,addresses, e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers) of at leastthree professional references. 5) College and University transcripts Any social security numbers on requested transcripts or otherdocuments should be redacted.

Mail additional items to: Biochemistry, Nutrition & Health Promotion Attn: Dr. Daniel G. Peterson Box 9805 Mississippi State, MS 39762 E-mail: [e-mail] Phone: [phone]

Screening Date:

April 29, 2026, until filled.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution.Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs oractivities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy,religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation,genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other statusto the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equalopportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Officeof Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O.6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, [phone].

What do I do if I need an accommodation?

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have adisability and would like to request an accommodation in order toapply for a position with Mississippi State University, pleasecontact the Department of Human Resources Management at [phone] or [e-mail]. If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact theDepartment of Human Resources Management at [phone] or [e-mail]. Uponrequest, sections of this job listing are available in large print,and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.