Food Systems Engineering is seeking a full time, tenure-track, 12-month position within the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering.
Assistant/Associate Professor – Food Systems Engineering: is a full-time, tenure-track, 12-month position with a research (70%) and teaching (30%) appointment within the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering (BAEG). The 70% research appointment will consist of 40% in BAEG and 30% in the Department of Food Science (FDSC) and tenure home will be in BAEG.
The candidate is expected to develop a nationally recognized and transformative research program in food processing and food manufacturing to support sustainable food supply systems in Arkansas, focusing on the protein industry including poultry and/or emerging plant-based meat alternative food proteins. This position is part of a three position Food Engineering cluster hire in BAEG and FDSC. The successful candidate is expected to develop a research program in concert with the other two positions: food sustainability/big data and customized/personalized foods. The successful candidate is expected to advance and transform food processing/manufacturing technologies to improve the nutrition and health of consumers, to grow the value and significance of the food industry in Arkansas, and to enhance job opportunities in the state. To address the needs for this position, the successful candidate should have expertise in engineering properties of foods, preferably protein foods, and quantifying/controlling related physicochemical food properties. Applications of engineering fundamentals to food processing/manufacturing and the food industry is vital. The successful candidate must excel at working on multidisciplinary teams to provide engineering approaches for adding value to the food and agriculture industry in the state and region.
This position will complement faculty in the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station and in the College of Engineering in biological engineering to improve food, water, and energy sustainability. The candidate will develop an extramurally-funded research program, teach undergraduate and/or graduate courses at BAEG, and serve as the research advisor for PhD and MS students as well as undergraduate honors students in both BAEG and FDSC. The candidate will actively engage faculty from other disciplines and physical locations and aggressively pursue extramural funding for their program. The candidate will also serve the Departments, Division of Agriculture, College and University committees as assigned and as opportunity and expertise permits.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: PhD in Agricultural, Biological, Food or closely-related engineering discipline conferred by the start of employment. Excellent written and oral communication and interpersonal skills demonstrated in the application packet. Demonstrated ability to effectively work in teams and demonstrated ability or willingness to recruit and mentor graduate students. The successful candidate must demonstrate evidence and/or plans for securing, managing and delivering extramurally funded projects. The successful candidate will be or have the ability to become a registered Professional Engineer (PE) in Arkansas.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Experience working with the food process industry is highly preferred.
SALARY: Salary commensurate with qualifications
ANTICIPATED START DATE: January 1, 2021
Applications will be accepted until a suitable candidate is selected. Interested candidates should apply online at the UA Human Resources. All application materials must be uploaded to the U of A's employment system at jobs.uark.edu. Please do not send to listed recruitment contact. A letter of application including a statement of research plans, teaching philosophy and goals, curriculum vitae, transcripts of all relevant degrees, and the name, complete address, and contact information of at least three references are required.
Recruitment Contact:
Dr. Lalit R. Verma
Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering
203 John A White, Jr. Engineering Hall, University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 72701 E-mail: lverma@uark.edu
The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution
