The Louisiana State University Agricultural Center’s School of Nutrition and Food Sciences (SNFS) seeks to fill a tenure-track faculty position in food microbiology at the level of assistant or associate professor. This is a 9-month joint appointment with primary responsibilities in Research (80% - LSU Agricultural Center) and Teaching (20% - LSU College of Agriculture)

Work Location: School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Baton Rouge, LA 70803

Position Description: The SNFS is seeking a highly motivated and creative individual to develop a research and teaching program in the area of food microbiology. The successful candidate will actively participate in the teaching, and research activities in the SNFS and will have the opportunity to work on collaborative projects with a wide variety of groups including the Food Innovation Institute (FOODii) and other departments. Areas of particular interest for future research include molecular methods in food safety microbiology, food safety intervention techniques, risk assessment of food borne pathogens, and detection, transmission, and ecology of food-borne pathogens and spoilage organisms in food production and manufacturing systems. Responsibilities will include teaching the undergraduate food microbiology class (lecture & lab) each year. Additional teaching may be required when needed, and the potential exists to teach graduate classes. The individual in this position will be expected to achieve a record of scholarly activity as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications, successful extramural funding, success in teaching university-level courses and mentoring of undergraduate and graduate students.

General Information: SNFS currently has 21 faculty members, 13 research/extension associates, and 5 administrative support staff members. There are over 200 undergraduate students and 38 graduate students. The SNFS offers an undergraduate degree program in Nutrition and Food Sciences with areas of concentration in Dietetics (ACEND accredited); Nutritional Sciences/Premed; Nutrition, Health and Society; and Food Science and Technology/Premed. The M.S. and Ph.D. degree programs in Nutrition and Food Sciences offer areas of concentration in Food and Bioprocessing Systems, Food Science and Technology, Human Nutrition, and Molecular Nutrition.

The LSU AgCenter and College of Agriculture maintain state of the art research facilities, and our faculty have access to extensive infrastructure and collaborative opportunities within the School and across campuses. The school also collaborates with LSU AgCenter FOODii which is a business incubator that specializes in developing emerging food ventures and providing technical services to existing and emerging companies. In addition, both basic, and clinical cores at Pennington Biomedical Research Center (PBRC) and LSU School of Veterinary Medicine are available for the successful candidate’s research program. This includes the PBRC Genomics Core that has state-of-the-art instruments for DNA and RNA sequencing. Bioinformatics support is also available as are state-of-the-art clinical research facilities at PBRC. The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine operates a MALDI-TOF-MS for clinical diagnosis for microbiology.

Louisiana State University transforms lives. Located in Baton Rouge, the capital of Louisiana, and enriched by Louisiana's natural and cultural distinctiveness, the community of learning at Louisiana's national Flagship University readies students to meet the environmental, social, economic, scientific, creative, and educational challenges that confront us locally and globally in the twenty-first century. Learning together, the students who begin their intellectual journey with us and the faculty whose research translates discovery into purpose make LSU a beacon of excellence. LSU represents the largest institution of higher education in the state and is the only public university in the state to be designated a Carnegie Research University with Very High Research Activity. It is among a handful of distinguished universities to enjoy Land, Sea, and Space Grant status. Louisiana State University offers vital research opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students as it transforms new technology into enterprise and lends expertise to solve endemic problems.

Qualification Requirements: A Ph.D. in food microbiology, microbiology, or closely related fields with expertise in food microbiology is required. Post doctoral experience preferred with a scholarly emphasis in food microbiology. Evidence of research excellence, the ability to develop and conduct extramurally funded research, and the ability to develop and effectively teach undergraduate and graduate courses and recruit and mentor students is desirable.

Salary and Benefits: Salary will be commensurate with education and experience. The LSU AgCenter has an attractive benefits package with a wide variety of benefit options. Current benefits offered include retirement, multiple medical insurance options, supplemental insurances (dental, life, long-term disability, accident, vision, long-term care, etc.), Tax Saver Flexible Benefits Plan (saves tax dollars on some child care and medical expenses), university holidays (14 per year, typically includes a week off at Christmas), generous annual (vacation) and sick leave benefits, Employee Assistance Program, and possible educational leave and tuition exemption for coursework at campuses of the LSU System. Specific benefits depend on job category, percent effort and length of employment.

Date Available: Upon completion of the selection process.

Application Deadline: August 31, 2023 or until a suitable applicant is identified.

Application Procedure: Apply online at LSU AgCenter Careers (or through Workday for internal applicants)by attaching file(s) containing a curriculum vita, a letter of application, official university transcripts, three letters of reference, a statement describing how diversity would figure into your teaching, research, or extension activities, a statement of teaching and research interests, and evidence of expertise in food microbiology. Questions about the online application system should be directed to the HRM Office at 225/578-0324. (Paper, faxed, or emailed application materials will not be accepted.) In lieu of attaching the letters of reference, they may be sent directly to:

Jack Losso, Chair Search Committee
Professor, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences
201G Animal and Food Science Laboratory Building
39 Forestry Lane
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
phone: 225-578-3883
email: jlosso@agenter.lsu.edu
Website: AgCenter website

The LSU Agricultural Center is a statewide campus of the LSU System and provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.