Assistant or Associate Professor
Kansas State University
About This Role
The Department of Grain Science and Industry at Kansas State University has a long-standing reputation for outstanding students, global industry influence, and cutting-edge research. The department of Grain Science & Industry is in the middle of an exciting revitalization process to position itself as the global leader in grain and plant-based product innovations to enhance health and promote environmental sustainability. Through the Global Center for Grain and Food Innovation (https://www.k-state.edu/ag-innovation/facilities/global-center-grain-food-innovation/ ), which is expected to be completed in 2026, the department will lead collaborative partnerships with both the public and private sector to create impactful solutions that advance our global food security, health, and sustainability. As part of the revitalization efforts, the Department of Grain Science and Industry is seeking applications for up to six 9-month tenure track positions in multiple priority areas. The positions will be in Manhattan, Kansas, which is one of the nation's top living places (https://manhattan.org/115/About-Manhattan ).
Positions: Tenure-track, Assistant/Associate Professor of Grain Science & Industry (20-40% Teaching, 60-80% Research)
Responsibilities: The successful individuals will contribute to the department's land-grant missions in teaching and research, and K-State's Plan for Economic Prosperity in Kansas (https://www.k-state.edu/research/economic-prosperity/). Among primary job expectations:
Priority areas:
1. Pet Food Science
Leadership to drive innovation through basic and applied interdisciplinary research that transforms companion animal health and support pet food and allied industries.
• Companion Animal Health: Collaborate with a cross-functional team to conduct basic and applied research utilizing in silico, in vitro and/or in vivo approaches to improve the health and well-being of companion animals. Potential focus areas include but are not limited to nutrition, metabolism, immunology, gut health, geroscience, metabolic network modeling, epidemiology, and application of cell culture and dynamic in vitro digestion models applicable to both companion animals and humans.
• Ingredient and Pet Food Technology: Lead innovations in ingredient and pet food processing technologies related to canning, baking, irradiation, non-thermal, high pressure, etc. to enhance the sustainability, quality, processing efficiency, economics and nutritional value of pet food products.
• Pet Food Quality and Safety: Lead initiatives to create innovative physical and chemical methods to improve nutrient retention, preservation, and safety in raw materials and pet food products. Develop and explore practical applications of novel technologies and the use of AI to provide solutions at both laboratory, and ingredient and pet food manufacturing facility scales, supporting food safety efforts through risk prediction and monitoring models, supply chain and processing optimization, as well as the detection, identification, and characterization of foodborne pathogens.
2. Feed Technology and Manufacturing
Leadership to drive innovation through basic and applied interdisciplinary research that transform animal health and performance and support the animal feed and allied industries.
• Feed and Ingredient Technology: Lead innovations in feed and ingredient processing technologies to address economic, safety and sustainability challenges, to optimize processing efficiency, to enhance the quality and nutritional value of animal feed products, and to ensure feed products promote the health, longevity and/or performance of farmed animals. Advance environmental sustainability of livestock production systems through feed efficiency.
• Feed Quality: Lead innovation to improve the nutritional integrity, safety, and consistency of animal feed products. Investigate and educate on factors affecting ingredient quality, processing methods, and storage conditions to ensure feed meets industry standards and supports optimal animal nutrition and health. Lead initiatives to create innovative physical and chemical methods to improve nutrient retention, preservation, and safety in raw materials and feed products.
• Feed Safety and Biosecurity: Foster cross-disciplinary research to secure the nation's food supply through system innovations that ensure feed biosecurity, biodefense, and safety. Develop and explore practical applications of feed biosecurity protocols, animal food safety plans and novel technologies to provide solutions at both laboratories, and ingredient and feed manufacturing facilities. Support animal food safety efforts through risk prediction and monitoring models, supply chain and processing optimization, as well as the detection, identification, and characterization of foodborne pathogens.
3. Human Health and Wellbeing
Leadership in innovation that impacts overall health, longevity, and quality of life.
• Molecular food science: Adapt fundamental scientific principles to transform plant-based commodities and components into products that precisely target chronic disease prevention and improve longevity and quality of life.
• Food microbiome and gut health: Develop integrated cross-disciplinary research in molecular microbiology, molecular nutrition, and biochemistry to advance human health through integrated microbiome research.
• Food as medicine: Lead discoveries that produce high visibility impacts in the food for health, precision nutrition, and food as medicine paradigms.
4. Innovative Manufacturing Technologies
Leadership in advanced technologies and timely solutions that create value for industry and consumers, and advance economic development.
• Biomanufacturing: Develop leading-edge technologies in manufacturing, precision fermentation, and biotechnology as they relate to plant-based food components to produce high-value products and solve problems relevant to stakeholders.
• Predictive analytical and smart data integration: Innovations in the food space that exploit big data, fine-scale nutrient mapping, AI tools, computational chemistry, and advanced information technology to improve food quality, safety, and nutrition.
5. Sustainable Food Systems
Responsive innovations that improve resiliency and efficiencies in the food value chain.
• Bioconversion: Innovations that capture unique value from grain and food manufacturing byproducts and waste streams, develop new ingredients and product solutions from plant commodities, and seek novel applications for underexploited resilient food crops.
• Cell based technologies: Innovate using cellular agricultural technologies, biotechnology, and related areas to sustainably produce novel food ingredients and nutrients.
Worksite Option
This position is required to be performed on-site. Work is performed on employer premises or designated assignment location.
What You'll Need to Succeed
Minimum Qualifications:
• Ph.D. degree in a relevant discipline, such as grain science, animal nutrition, agricultural or biological engineering, food science, human nutrition, biochemistry, chemistry, chemical engineering, polymer science etc.
• Ability to teach and advise undergraduate and graduate students
• Ability to build a strong and impactful research program
• Track record of scholarly publications
• Commitment to the University's land-grant mission
• The degree requirement is necessary for accreditation purposes and to ensure candidates possess the specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities that can only be attained through a formal educational program at this level.
Other Requirements:
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment.
Application Window
Applications will close on October 31, 2025.
Anticipated Hiring Pay Range
Salary commensurate with experience and consistent with the position sought.
To apply, please visit: https://apptrkr.com/6572870
Copyright ©2025 Jobelephant.com Inc. All rights reserved.
https://www.jobelephant.com/
jeid-7bc918c7b6393c4ba9e568e276fe2b9e
