The Association of Technology, Management and Applied Engineering
Assistant/Associate Professor - Food Science Extension Specialist
The Association of Technology, Management and Applied Engineering, Athens, Georgia, us, 30604
Position Summary
The Department of Food Science and Technology at UGA is seeking a highly motivated and creative to develop an Extension and research program in the area of food safety with a focus on process engineering and the influence of product formulation.
The successful candidate will support and advance Georgia's food and beverage industries through expertise in processing and preservation technologies and extend science-based information to relevant stakeholders, and develop a complementary research program with the capacity to sustain itself through extramural funding. This position will involve developing a nationally recognized Extension program that addresses the needs of Georgia's established food industries and supports emerging food businesses. The program will include in-person and/or online workshops, applied and collaborative research addressing industry challenges, and partnerships with faculty in business and marketing to assist food entrepreneurs, including process approvals for manufactured foods. The University of Georgia values interdisciplinary collaboration, and the successful candidate will be encouraged to engage with faculty across the Colleges of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Engineering, and Family and Consumer Sciences as they build their Extension and research programs.
Responsibilities Develop and deliver a nationally recognized Extension program addressing the needs of Georgia's established food industries and supporting emerging food businesses.
Provide foundational food safety training, e.g., Preventive Controls, Better Process Control School, to drive industry success.
Engage in applied and collaborative research addressing industry challenges.
Partner with faculty in business and marketing to assist food entrepreneurs, including process approvals for manufactured foods.
Build interdisciplinary collaborations with faculty across multiple colleges.
Maintain capacity to sustain research program through extramural funding.
Qualifications
Ph.D. in food science, food microbiology, food safety, food engineering, agricultural engineering, or a closely related field is required.
For the rank of Assistant Professor, candidates do not need a minimum number of years in a lower rank unless the initial appointment was at the instructor level at the University of Georgia.
To be considered at the rank of Associate Professor, candidates must have at least 5 full years in rank at the Assistant Professor level before the start date.
Preferred Skills and Experience
Strong potential to secure external funding to support Extension and research efforts.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Proven capacity to engage constructively with colleagues and stakeholders.
Commitment to collaborative, multidisciplinary work.
Expertise in the food/beverage industry is highly desirable.
Expertise in areas such as packaging systems, ingredient technology, and regulatory compliance is highly desirable.
Application Process Applicants must submit: (1) a letter of application; (2) curriculum vitae; (3) graduate transcripts; (4) names, addresses, telephone numbers, and e‑mail addresses of four professional references that the search committee may contact; and (5) one‑page summaries outlining their Extension and Research visions.
Inquiries should be addressed to Dr. William Kerr (wlkerr@uga.edu). The selected candidate will be required to submit to a background investigation demonstrating eligibility for employment with the University.
Applications received by November 1, 2025, will receive full consideration. Review of applications will continue until a suitable candidate is identified. The preferred start date is May 1, 2026.
Equal Opportunity Employment The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).
University System of Georgia Core Values The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at
https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct .
Freedom of Expression Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at
https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653 .
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The successful candidate will support and advance Georgia's food and beverage industries through expertise in processing and preservation technologies and extend science-based information to relevant stakeholders, and develop a complementary research program with the capacity to sustain itself through extramural funding. This position will involve developing a nationally recognized Extension program that addresses the needs of Georgia's established food industries and supports emerging food businesses. The program will include in-person and/or online workshops, applied and collaborative research addressing industry challenges, and partnerships with faculty in business and marketing to assist food entrepreneurs, including process approvals for manufactured foods. The University of Georgia values interdisciplinary collaboration, and the successful candidate will be encouraged to engage with faculty across the Colleges of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Engineering, and Family and Consumer Sciences as they build their Extension and research programs.
Responsibilities Develop and deliver a nationally recognized Extension program addressing the needs of Georgia's established food industries and supporting emerging food businesses.
Provide foundational food safety training, e.g., Preventive Controls, Better Process Control School, to drive industry success.
Engage in applied and collaborative research addressing industry challenges.
Partner with faculty in business and marketing to assist food entrepreneurs, including process approvals for manufactured foods.
Build interdisciplinary collaborations with faculty across multiple colleges.
Maintain capacity to sustain research program through extramural funding.
Qualifications
Ph.D. in food science, food microbiology, food safety, food engineering, agricultural engineering, or a closely related field is required.
For the rank of Assistant Professor, candidates do not need a minimum number of years in a lower rank unless the initial appointment was at the instructor level at the University of Georgia.
To be considered at the rank of Associate Professor, candidates must have at least 5 full years in rank at the Assistant Professor level before the start date.
Preferred Skills and Experience
Strong potential to secure external funding to support Extension and research efforts.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Proven capacity to engage constructively with colleagues and stakeholders.
Commitment to collaborative, multidisciplinary work.
Expertise in the food/beverage industry is highly desirable.
Expertise in areas such as packaging systems, ingredient technology, and regulatory compliance is highly desirable.
Application Process Applicants must submit: (1) a letter of application; (2) curriculum vitae; (3) graduate transcripts; (4) names, addresses, telephone numbers, and e‑mail addresses of four professional references that the search committee may contact; and (5) one‑page summaries outlining their Extension and Research visions.
Inquiries should be addressed to Dr. William Kerr (wlkerr@uga.edu). The selected candidate will be required to submit to a background investigation demonstrating eligibility for employment with the University.
Applications received by November 1, 2025, will receive full consideration. Review of applications will continue until a suitable candidate is identified. The preferred start date is May 1, 2026.
Equal Opportunity Employment The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).
University System of Georgia Core Values The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at
https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct .
Freedom of Expression Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at
https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653 .
#J-18808-Ljbffr