Assistant Professor

Assistant Professor in Food Systems & Community Nutrition Extension Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN
The University of Minnesota invites applications for a tenure-track 60% extension, 40% research position in Food Systems & Community Nutrition at the Assistant level in the Department of Food Science and Nutrition in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resource Sciences.

This position will be a nine-month, tenure-track appointment involving extension and research activities that supports the mission of the Department of Food Science and Nutrition and University of Minnesota Extension The appointee is expected to address food systems issues, including food access, food entrepreneurship, health disparities and food insecurity developing a strong extramurally funded research program that investigates the relationship between diet, lifestyle and health of individuals and communities. The research program should acknowledge the needs of cultural communities including New Americans/immigrants/refugees as well as traditionally underrepresented groups including American Indian and African American populations. The appointee will be expected to develop close partnerships with the Departments of Family, Health and Wellbeing and Community Development at University of Minnesota Extension, and engage in collaborations with investigators within the Department, the College, and the University, such as the Academic Health Center and the School of Public Health and state and federal agencies.

Required: Earned doctorate by start date, with training and experience in community nutrition; evidence of strong research skills, published research in peer reviewed scholarly journals, and strong communication and interpersonal skills. Evidence of ability to work independently and in collaboration with interdisciplinary team members. Experience working with communities affected by food insecurity. Experience or demonstrated interest in developing educational programming for diverse audiences. Evidence of potential for excellence in extension teaching and for program leadership and potential for success working with multi-disciplinary research and Extension teams.

Preferred: Post-doctoral research, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, or relevant professional and/or community experience that includes demonstrated success in facilitating meetings, stakeholder discussions, or learning sessions, with the ability to foster inclusive dialogue, manage group dynamics, and ensure productive outcomes; experience writing or managing grants; potential for effective classroom teaching and acquisition of extramural funding; and demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion.

The Department of Food Science and Nutrition creates and shares knowledge to ensure a safe, healthy, and appealing food supply that supports the well-being and prosperity of people and the environment.

Department of Family, Health, and Wellbeing: FHW provides timely and culturally relevant education around topics of food and nutrition by taking a multidisciplinary and holistic approach to health and wellbeing. We understand that community experiences with food and health are greatly influenced by policy, systems, and their environments. FHW emphasizes a community-engaged approach, leveraging the lived experience of field extension educators who often translate academic knowledge into actionable behavior change for communities.
The integration of food science and nutrition has provided an exceptional opportunity for the Department to capitalize on the intersection of the areas of health, food culture, dietary habits, food experience, and food production. The Department plays a unique and important role training professionals and providing service in the fields of nutrition, dietetics and food science. Faculty members in the Department are nationally and internationally recognized scholars in a wide range of nutrition and food science areas including nutrition and health, diet-based disease prevention, community nutrition, food safety and microbiology, food chemistry, food flavor and sensory studies, and food processing. The Department employs 21 tenure/tenure track faculty members and about 30 professional staff members. Current enrollments include over 300 undergraduate majors and around 100 masters and doctoral students from diverse backgrounds and cultures. The Department has a history of collaboration with other academic units with emphasis in nutrition such as the Healthy Foods Healthy Lives Institute, the Minnesota Nutrition and Obesity Center, the School of Public Health, the Hormel Institute, the Center for Spirituality and Healing, the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, and the Plant Protein Innovation Center. For more information about faculty members, programs, and curriculum, see: http://fscn.cfans.umn.edu/

Pay Range: $88,000 - $95,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Application Process: Apply on-line via the University of Minnesota Employment System at http://www1.umn.edu/ohr/employment/. The Job Opening ID for this position is 371123
Applications must include the following: (1) cover letter; (2) detailed CV/resume; (3) statement describing teaching interests and philosophy (1-2 pages); (4) statement describing research interests and philosophy (1-2 pages); and (5) names and contact information for three professional references (reference letters should only be provided upon request). Combine all parts of the application (i.e., letter, CV, statements, etc.) into a single document before uploading. For questions or inquiries about the position, please contact chair of the search committee, Dr. Craig Hassel, at chassel@umn.edu or 612-624-7288. For questions about the application process, please contact Nadia Zamoida at zamoi001@umn.edu or 612-624-4789.

We invite you to visit our website at http://fscn.cfans.umn.edu

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).