Assistant Professor of Rural Health

Clemson; Florence (SC); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Clemson University’s Food, Nutrition & Packaging Sciences invites applications for a full-time, 9-month, tenured-track Assistant Professor position focused on rural health and community nutrition. The candidate will build a research program on food nutrients, local food systems, and disparities involving communities and stakeholders across South Carolina.

The appointment is located at the Pee Dee Research and Education Center in Florence, SC, with collaboration across CAFLS, Public Health

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Nutrition, Public Health, Food Science, or closely related field with focus on rural health and nutrition program development, implementation, and evaluation.
• Strong ability to disseminate research and engage stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Preferred: extramural funding track record and interdisciplinary research interest.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a nationally recognized research program on rural health and nutrition.
• Disseminate findings to stakeholders and communities to improve quality of life.
• Contribute to graduate training and collaborate with Clemson Extension and regional partners.

Skills

Rural health

Nutrition program development

Implementation & evaluation

Scientific communication

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

PhD in Nutrition/Public Health/Food Science

Job description

Clemson University: College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences: Food, Nutrition & Packaging Sciences

Location

Pee Dee REC

Open Date

Apr 13, 2026

Description

The Department of Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciences (FNPS) at Clemson University invites applications for a full-time (9 months), tenured-track faculty position in rural health and community nutrition at the Assistant Professor rank (100% Research). The candidate in this position is expected to focus their efforts on the development and implementation of a research program on the role of food, nutrients (potentially including bioavailability/bioactivity), local food systems, and/or rural disparities (e.g., healthcare access) in the prevention of chronic diseases. The applied research projects conducted by this candidate should engage and involve client groups, stakeholders, and communities to improve their quality of life. FNPS is a unique department comprised of three dynamic and growing disciplines that have strong ties to local communities, health/medical institutions, and related industries in South Carolina. FNPS has 30 faculty and 8 staff members serving approximately 500 undergraduate and 60 graduate students from all over the world. FNPS (https://www.cafls/food-nutrition-packaging-sciences/index.html) is housed within the College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Life Sciences (CAFLS) at Clemson University. The University seeks to attract an active, culturally, and academically diverse faculty of the highest caliber, skilled in the scholarship of research, education and integration of applied nutrition and health knowledge. The successful candidate will have knowledge and practical experience in rural and nutrition-related health disparities and the role of food nutrients, and/or food systems in chronic disease prevention and management. The successful candidate will have the ability to initiate, build, and sustain a nationally recognized, innovative, and externally funded health and nutrition research program that leverages the existing research strengths of the FNPS department, other departments within CAFLS, the Department of Public Health Science, Clemson’s Research and Education Centers, and others. The successful candidate is expected to conduct and disseminate research to improve the nutritional and health status of different ages and backgrounds in communities across South Carolina. The candidate is expected to work cooperatively with FNPS faculty and Clemson Extension Program Teams and specifically the Pee Dee region along with local, regional, and state health systems and stakeholders in South Carolina. The successful candidate will contribute to a strong academic experience for graduate students and will demonstrate dedication to academic excellence in higher education. The position is located at the Clemson University Pee Dee Research and Education Center (REC) in Florence and Darlington counties. The Pee Dee REC is on a 2,300-acre tract of land that houses top-quality research in areas that are of particular importance to South Carolina residents. Pee Dee REC possesses a recently renovated Pitner Center to establish state-of-the-art laboratories, offices, and supportive research infrastructure. The Center is an integral part of Clemson University’s Public Service activities including the Agricultural Research and Forestry system and the Cooperative Extension Service with twelve faculty and fifty support personnel.

Qualifications

Required Qualification: A Ph.D. in Nutrition, Public Health, Food Science, or a closely related field with a strong focus on rural health and nutrition program development, implementation, and evaluation, is required. The selected candidate must have knowledge of research dissemination and implementation and possess the interest and ability to be responsive to identified nutrition and health needs of citizens and stakeholders. Established ability to work proactively within collaborative, multi-disciplinary teams Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required. Preferred Qualifications: Preferences will be given to candidates with documented ability to secure extramural funding to support an active research program, a record of high-quality peer reviewed journal publications, and a dedicated interest (and/or demonstrated excellence) in an interdisciplinary research setting. Preference will also be given to candidates with RD/RN or related professional certifications/licenses, certification in diabetes education, and experience with educational programs in healthy lifestyles.

Clemson University is an EEO/AA employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to characteristics protected by applicable law including disability and protected veteran status.