Tenure Track, Assistant Professor

Department of Food Science, Cornell University; Town of Ithaca (NY); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Cornell University in Ithaca, NY invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Dairy Foods Microbiology within the Department of Food Science. The role focuses on developing an innovative research and extension program addressing safety, quality, and sustainability of dairy products.

The position entails 50% research and 50% extension, mentoring graduate and undergraduate students, and securing external funding.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Food Science, Microbiology, Dairy Science, or closely related field.
• Demonstrated potential for externally funded research and extension.
• Strong mentorship and collaborative abilities across departments.

Responsibilities

• Research (50%): develop an internationally recognized, externally funded program addressing dairy microbiology and safety.
• Extension (50%): deliver nationwide extension programs; provide trainings, online resources, and technical assistance to dairy processors.
• Service: participate in faculty governance, committees, and professional activities; engage with stakeholders.
• The successful candidate will mentor graduate and undergraduate students and foster inclusive excellence within the department.

Job description

Position: Assistant Professor, Tenure Track

Location: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-5701, USA.

The academic home for this position is the Department of Food Science in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

The Department of Food Science in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at Cornell University invites candidates for a full-time, tenure-track assistant professor position to develop a research and extension program related to Dairy Foods Microbiology.

The successful candidate will establish an innovative, nationally and internationally recognized program addressing microbiological challenges and opportunities across the dairy foods system. Research may take a farm-to-table systems approach and advance the safety, microbial quality, functionality, and sustainability of dairy foods. Research addressing farm-level practices that influence the microbiological quality, safety, or suitability of milk for processing is within scope; however, research focused primarily on farm-level microbiology without a clear connection to milk or dairy product outcomes is not a primary focus of this position.

Appropriate research areas may include, but are not limited to: physiology, genetics, and ecology of microorganisms important to dairy food safety and quality; microbial interactions and their effects on the quality, flavor, and shelf-life of dairy products; methods to improve the safety and quality of milk and dairy products; development of dairy foods with probiotic, fermented, or other health-promoting properties; application of emerging technologies to understand and control microorganisms in dairy systems; and development of predictive, computational, or data-driven tools for dairy quality and safety assurance. The successful candidate is expected to develop collaborative research relationships with colleagues in Food Science and across Cornell in areas such as microbiology, molecular biology and genetics, veterinary medicine, animal science, engineering, and related disciplines.

Responsibilities

This position has effort in research (50%) and extension (50%). A strong record or demonstrated potential for outstanding peer-reviewed scholarship, external funding, translation of knowledge, and engagement with stakeholders is expected. The successful candidate will advise and mentor graduate and undergraduate students and contribute to a vibrant culture of collaboration and inclusive excellence within the Department of Food Science and across Cornell.

Research (50%):

The successful candidate will be expected to develop an internationally recognized and externally funded research program in dairy foods microbiology. The program should address fundamental and applied questions relevant to the microbiological safety, quality, and functionality of dairy foods and generate knowledge and tools that can be translated into practice across the dairy industry. The candidate is expected to mentor graduate students and other research personnel and to collaborate broadly with faculty, industry, government, and other stakeholders.

Extension (50%):

The successful candidate will develop and deliver a nationally recognized extension program responsive to current and emerging needs of the dairy processing industry. Programming may include hands-on short courses and workshops for dairy industry professionals; workforce-development programs; online courses, certificates, and other digital educational resources; and technical assistance addressing microbiological issues associated with raw milk quality, dairy processing, product safety, spoilage, shelf-life, and microbial control. The incumbent will work closely with dairy processors and other stakeholders to identify emerging needs, translate research findings into practical guidance, and support implementation of science-based practices. The successful candidate will be expected to develop sustainable support for extension programming through participant fees, grants, industry partnerships, and other appropriate sources.

Service to the Department and University:

The candidate will be expected to participate in faculty meetings, departmental and university committees, and professional and public service activities appropriate for a faculty member. The incumbent will also contribute to the broader dairy foods and food safety communities through professional leadership, stakeholder engagement, and collaborative activities.

A Ph.D. in Food Science, Microbiology, Dairy Science, or a closely related field is required. The ideal candidate will demonstrate the potential to develop a nationally and internationally recognized program of innovative scholarship and extension in dairy foods microbiology. Candidates should demonstrate strong potential for interdisciplinary collaboration, external funding, graduate student mentorship, and effective engagement with dairy industry stakeholders.