Assistant Professor of Food Microbiology

University of California; Davis (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Food Science and Technology at the University of California, Davis invites applications for an Assistant Professor of Food Microbiology with a focus on Genomics and Ecology of Microbial Foodborne Pathogens. This is a 9-month, tenure-track position with an AES appointment, emphasizing research, teaching, and outreach.

The appointee will develop an internationally recognized program in genomics and ecology of pathogens, collaborate across disciplines, and translate findings into

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent required at time of appointment.
• Research program in genomics and ecology of foodborne pathogens desired.
• Experience with teaching at undergraduate and graduate levels preferred.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead an externally funded research program.
• Develop and teach undergraduate and graduate courses (e.g., FST104, FST108).
• Mentor undergraduate and graduate students and engage in curricular development.

Skills

Genomics

Ecology

Molecular genetics

Functional genomics

Pangenomics

Computational biology

Data science

AI/ML

Education

Ph.D. or equivalent in Food science, microbiology, pathogen genomics, ecology, computational biology, or related field

Job description

The Department of Food Science and Technology in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at the University of California, Davis is recruiting an Assistant Professor of Food Microbiology with a preferred emphasis in Genomics and Ecology of Microbial Foodborne Pathogens. This is an academic year (9-month), tenure track Assistant Professor position that includes an appointment in the California Agricultural Experiment Station (AES). Faculty members who hold an Agricultural Experiment Station appointment have a responsibility to conduct research and outreach relevant to the mission of the California Agricultural Experiment Station. Participation in outreach programs and performance of university service are also expected.

The appointee is expected to establish a competitively funded research program in the genomics and ecology of foodborne pathogens, including their interactions within complex microbial communities in food systems to address critical or emerging issues in microbial food safety. The successful candidate will develop an internationally recognized research program that advances understanding of how foodborne pathogens persist in various pre- and post-harvest handling, storage, transportation, and processing operations. The program will explore how these pathogens are transferred through food systems by considering genetic, physiological, and ecological properties, with the goal of informing new intervention strategies. Approaches may span molecular genetics, functional genomics, pangenomics, experimental microbiology, and ecological analysis, along with computational biology, data science, and artificial intelligence (AI) /machine learning (ML) methods where applicable to the candidate's research program. Candidates whose work incorporates or extends toward genomic, metagenomic, or ecological dataset analysis, predictive modeling of pathogen emergence and persistence, or the use of AI/ML approaches to interpret large-scale food-system and environmental datasets are especially encouraged to apply, as these are growing priority areas for the department. Emphasis will also be placed on connecting fundamental or applied pathogen research to broader food-system risks. The candidate will be poised to engage across disciplines, collaborating with colleagues as needed to translate biological findings into actionable knowledge for food safety management. The appointee will be responsible for developing and teaching undergraduate and graduate level courses. Examples of existing courses include FST104 - Food Microbiology and FST 108 - Food Sanitation. Furthermore, the appointee will be expected to develop one or more new courses focused on food safety and the genomics of foodborne pathogens. The appointee is also expected to mentor undergraduate and graduate students and participate in curricular development. Participation in and development of public outreach efforts and/or community engagement programs, and performance of departmental and university service is expected. This position is expected to collaborate with Cooperative Extension specialists and advisors, partners in allied industries or other appropriate public stakeholders.

This recruitment is conducted at the assistant professor rank. The resulting hire will be at the assistant professor rank, regardless of the proposed appointee's qualifications.

Initial review of applications will be conducted using anonymized versions of the Statement of Research Accomplishments and Interests. Applications demonstrating sufficient potential based on this review will be advanced to full review.

UC Davis supports Family-friendly recruitments. UC Davis covers travel expenses for a second person to accompany an invited faculty recruitment candidate who is a mother (or single parent of either gender) of a breast or bottle-feeding child less than two years of age.
Work Life

UC Davis recognizes the necessity of supporting faculty with efforts to integrate work, family and other work-life considerations. To recruit and retain the best faculty, the campus sponsors a Work LifeProgram that provides programs and services that support faculty as they strive to honor their commitments to work, home and community. Academic Affairs

The UC Davis Partner Opportunities Program (POP) and Capital Resource Network (CRN) are services designed to support departments and Deans' offices in the recruitment and retention of outstanding faculty. For information about POP, please visit Partner Opportunities Program (POP). For information about the CRN, please visit Capital Resource Network. Please note eligibility for these programs may be based on policy and funding availability.

Basic qualification: Ph.D. or equivalent in a field of Food science, microbiology, pathogen genomics, ecology, computational biology, or other related fields at the time of appointment.