Assistant Professor in Food Chemistry

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday. CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday. If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants. Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants. POSITION SPECIFICS Position: Assistant Professor in Food Chemistry (Tenure Track) Responsibilities: 75% Research / 25% Resident Instruction Teaching Tenure home: Department of Food Science The Department of Food Science at the Pennsylvania State University seeks a tenure track faculty member in Food Chemistry with expertise in use of preclinical models to study the relationship between the chemical composition of foods and their impacts on gut-brain axis, including signaling, eating behavior, and long-term brain health/function. This appointment will be filled at the rank of Assistant Professor. The position will (1) strengthen and expand the Department’s strategic interest in Food-Based Solutions to Enhance Health and (2) address growing consumer demand for foods with improved health-related functionality. The position also aligns with Penn State’s mission of fostering cutting-edge research, promoting economic growth, and providing education that directly benefits the agricultural and food sectors in Pennsylvania and beyond. Key Responsibilities: Research (75%) The successful candidate is expected to develop a nationally and internationally recognized research program in food chemistry with an emphasis on the impact of foods on the gut-brain axis, and the role that these interactions play in driving eating behavior and long-term brain health/function. It is anticipated that the successful candidate will employ preclinical models and cutting edge molecular and biochemical approaches to address this topic. Research interests should complement existing Departmental research, for example, in food choice, sensory and consumer science, gut microbial metabolism, or food bioactivity. The successful candidate will benefit from collaboration with faculty members in the Department, College, and elsewhere at the University (e.g. the Penn State Neuroscience Institute, the Microbiome Center, and the Department of Nutritional Sciences), access to our three state-of-the-art pilot plants, and the excellent research core facilities available at the University. Candidates are expected to pursue extramural funding to support their research program, publish in high-impact journals, and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams across the university and industry. Teaching (25%) The successful candidate will be responsible for teaching FDSC 400 (“Food Chemistry & Analysis (I)”). This is a required 3-credit lecture and laboratory class for third year Food Science majors. In addition, the candidate is expected to develop a graduate course in their area of expertise. The successful candidate is expected to participate in departmental, college, and university committees, professional organizations, and community outreach activities. The candidate will engage with Penn State's stakeholders, including students, alumni, and industry partners, to promote the mission of the Food Science Department and Penn State Extension. Required Qualifications: Ph.D. in Food Science, Nutrition, or a closely related field. Postdoctoral experience or prior faculty experience in food science, neuroscience, or related discipline. A record of high-quality research in food chemistry, eating behavior, and gut-brain axis signaling, with demonstrated potential for, or evidence of, securing extramural funding. Strong commitment to teaching excellence at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment. Preferred Qualifications Experience in innovative teaching methods. Interest in food valorization, novel food ingredient development, or interdisciplinary, collaborative research on foods and health Applicants must upload (1) letter of application, (2) curriculum vitae, (3) academic transcripts, (4) statement of research interests, (5) teaching philosophy, and (6) names of at least three professional references (including address, telephone and e-mail address) to the Penn State Jobs system (https://hr.psu.edu/careers). System limitations allow for a total of 5 documents (5mb per document) as part of your application. Please combine materials to meet the 5-document limit. Please contact Dr. Joshua Lambert, Search Committee Chair at jdl134@psu.edu with questions. Applications will be reviewed beginning immediately and continue until a suitable candidate is found. The anticipated start date is Fall Semester 2026 or as negotiated. BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. BENEFITS Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional wellbeing. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page. (Note: For Postdoctoral benefits, please see our Postdoctoral Benefits page.) CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here. EEO IS THE LAW Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473. Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission. Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster PA State Labor Law Poster Penn State Policies Copyright Information Hotlines There’s a reason Penn State consistently ranks among the top one percent of the world’s universities. Across 24 campuses, our 100,000 students and 40,000 faculty and staff know the real measure of success goes beyond the classroom – it’s the positive impact made on communities across the world. Our ideals stem from our origins as Pennsylvania’s sole land-grant institution, which allow us to continue to bring positive impact to humanity through our teaching, research, and engagement mission. And across the world is a community of Penn Staters – more than half a million strong – driven by that same spirit to serve our local and global communities. At Penn State, passion is met with collaboration in an environment that is rooted in shared pride for the accomplishments of our fellow students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Penn Staters cheer each other on to build a culture committed to service and engagement. Our University values represent our core ethical aspirations for all our daily activities and actions as students, faculty, staff, and volunteers at Penn State. Our values are as follows; Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Discovery, Excellence, and Community. We Are Penn State. One Community. Impacting Many.