Professor - Cellular Agriculture AY2026

Tufts University; Medford (MA); On-site; USD 94,000 - 234,000; Full time

Job summary

Tufts University invites applicants for tenure-track positions at the Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor level to strengthen key research areas in cellular agriculture, including cultivated meat, alternative proteins, plant-based systems and related biotechnology approaches to next generation foods. The primary home will be in Chemistry or Biology.

The anticipated start date is January 2026 or later, and candidates will develop an active research program while excelling in teaching and

Qualifications

• Must hold an earned doctorate in a field related to future foods or a closely related discipline.
• Demonstrate ability to develop and maintain an active, highly visible research program.
• Excellence in teaching and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain an active, highly visible research program.
• Deliver high-quality teaching and mentoring across courses.
• Collaborate across departments and schools to build a leading future foods program.

Skills

Teaching excellence

Mentoring students

Cross-department collaboration

Research program development

Education

Doctorate in related field

Job description

Overview

Tufts University invites applicants for tenure-track positions at the Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor level to strengthen key research areas in cellular agriculture, including cultivated meat, alternative proteins, plant-based systems and related biotechnology approaches to next generation foods. The primary home will be in Chemistry or Biology. Candidates will be considered at all ranks. The anticipated start date is January 2026 or later. These positions will contribute to the University-wide programs on future foods and to the Tufts University Center for Cellular Agriculture (TUCCA).

Strengths include new cell sources from cell culture of non-model systems, differentiation of specific cell lineages from animal stem cells, microbial-animal cell co-cultures to optimize growth and nutritional content, genetic stability of animal cells related to phenotypic factors, sensory and chemical analysis of cultivated and alternative food systems, development of analytical and sensing technologies for low-cost food sensors and food safety monitoring, and the design of materials that support cell growth and tissue development. Preferences include applicants in areas of consumer analysis, environmental sustainability, technoeconomic analysis, nutrition, sensory analysis, computational approaches, and related areas associated with future foods.

Additional information about the program can be found at: https://cellularagriculture.tufts.edu/.

Tufts distinguishes itself by its interdisciplinary focus and cross-school partnerships. Tufts is a Research 1 university with strong undergraduate programs, located on the Medford/Somerville campus near Boston, offering opportunities for academic and industrial collaborations.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will hold an earned doctorate in a field related to future foods or a closely related discipline. The successful candidate is expected to develop and maintain an active, highly visible research program and demonstrate excellence in teaching, including core research subjects, and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students. We seek individuals who actively collaborate across departments and schools to build a leading program in future foods across the University.

Application Instructions

Applicants should submit their application including: cover letter; curriculum vitae; 3-page research statement; 2-page teaching interests and objectives; 1-page diversity statement; 3 letters of reference online through Interfolio at apply.interfolio.com/166326. The cover letter should be addressed to: Future Foods Search Committee, Tufts University, 4 Colby Street, Medford, MA 02155.

Candidates are encouraged to address diversity and inclusion in teaching, research, and scholarship. For full consideration, applications should be submitted by September 2025. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and continue until positions are filled.

Compensation

The salary ranges for this position are as follows: Assistant Professor $94,000 - $141,000; Associate Professor $100,000 - $172,000; Professor $117,000 - $234,000. These ranges reflect a reasonable, good-faith positioning but may change based on skills, experience, and the school of appointment.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Tufts University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. See the University’s Non-Discrimination statement and policy here: https://oeo.tufts.edu/policies-procedures/non-discrimination/. If you are an applicant with a disability who is unable to use our online tools to search and apply for jobs, please contact the Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) at 617-627-3298 or [e-mail]. Applicants can learn about reasonable accommodations at https://oeo.tufts.edu/