The Department of Food Science and Technology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) is seeking applications for a Food Safety Microbiologist position at the rank of Assistant/Associate Professor. This 12-month (calendar year), tenure-track appointment will develop a high-impact research, extension, and teaching program in applied food safety microbiology focused on meat science that is recognized nationally and internationally and that contributes to the organizational missions. The program should address contemporary food safety problems, including those caused by microorganisms. The apportionment is 50% research, 40% extension, and 10% teaching. This position will be located in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Research (.50 FTE)
The research duties will be focused on post-harvest food safety issues of animal products. Possible research areas could include development of intervention or control strategies directed against foodborne pathogens; epidemiological studies of foodborne contamination along the supply chain; development of novel isolation or detection technologies for foodborne pathogens in foods and the food processing environment; or characterization of mechanisms responsible for persistence of pathogens in foods or food environments. The faculty member will be expected to collaborate with Meat Scientists at UNL. They will seek and establish effective disciplinary and transdisciplinary collaborations, including effective integration with extension action teams, teaching programs, and research groups. The successful candidate will connect with stakeholders and agency and/or industry partners to strengthen research, extension, and teaching programming, and effectively obtain and leverage external and internal support (grants, fee revenue, etc.) for research, extension, and teaching activities. Mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, publishing in high-quality, high-impact scientific journals, and participation in scientific meetings and other appropriate professional activities is expected.

Other Research Duties Include:

• Supervising graduate and undergraduate students.
• Securing external funding (federal, private, and industry sources) to support research.
• Translating research output into high-impact, peer-reviewed journal articles, learning programs and tools, and professional presentations.
• Participating in scientific meetings and other appropriate professional activities.
• Engaging with national and international networks to broaden the impact of their research and the visibility of UNL.

Opportunities for collaboration exist across the IANR, including the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute (DWFI), the Nebraska Center for Virology, the Veterinary Diagnostic Center (VDC), the Loeffel Meat Laboratory, the Nebraska One Health Initiative, and the Beef Innovation Hub, as well as external partners, including the USDA Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC) and federal or industry research networks focused on foodborne pathogen control, antimicrobial resistance, and food safety innovation.

Extension (.40 FTE)
The extension duties should include translating research-based information into learner-centered products. This includes creating scholarly, innovative, and high impact learning programs and tools. The successful candidate will identify issues and opportunities focused on learner needs and emerging regional and national issues. They will be expected to lead or co-lead training, such as HACCP and Preventative Controls, and provide technical assistance in regulatory compliance, including support for USDA FSIS, FDA, and State Food Code inspected operations. They will be asked to measure the impact of their programs and communicate results to administrators. stakeholders, users, and media. The incumbent will be expected to develop a cutting-edge outreach program in food safety that serves the food industry in Nebraska, the nation, and worldwide. Participation in a new outreach emphasis of the department and the Food Processing Center in educating workers in federal agencies (e.g. state and national FDA, USDA FSIS, etc.) and other related activities is also anticipated.

Teaching (.10 FTE)
The teaching apportionment will be 0.10 FTE as determined by the CASNR Academic Appointment Guidelines. The incumbent is expected to teach the FDST 403/803: Food Quality Assurance course every year, FDST 908E: Reading in Food Microbiology every other year and contribute to relevant lectures in other courses including food sanitation and quality, HACCP, food microbiology, and foodborne pathogens in the Department. FDST 403 is a required course to maintain FST accreditation by IFT and FDST 908 is a graduate course that benefits both Food Science and Animal Science students. Specific course assignments may be changed over time based on Academic Unit need.

Other duties include contributing, as an effective scholar and citizen of a land-grant institution, to the integrated mission of home units (Department of Food Science and Technology), including supporting student recruitment and IANR science literacy initiative, and beyond. Additional responsibilities include participating in recruitment, retention, and placement activities and teaching outcome assessment; advising and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students; and taking leadership roles in academic programming.

Recognizing that collaboration and participation in teams enhances creativity, innovation, impact, and a sense of belonging, the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) and the Department of Food Science and Technology are committed to creating learning, research, and Extension programming environments where the unique contributions of each individual are acknowledged and valued. Consistent with the University’s N2025 Strategic Plan, we see every person and every interaction as important to our collective wellbeing and our ability to deliver on our mission.

Application Process
Review of applications will begin January 12, 2026, and continue until the position is filled or the search is closed. To view details of the position and create an application, go to https://employment.unl.edu, requisition F_250073. Click “Apply for this Job” and then “Faculty Application.” Complete the application and attach the following required documents:

1. A letter of interest that describes your qualifications for the job, anticipated contributions, and rank for which you are applying (assistant or associate professor).
2. Your curriculum vitae.
3. Contact information for three professional references.
4. Statements that describe your philosophy and approach to research, extension, and teaching related to applied food safety microbiology.
5. A statement describing your experience working in teams or groups and your anticipated contributions to creating environments in which every person and every interaction matters (2 page maximum). See https://go.unl.edu/ianrguide for guidance in writing this statement.

*Please combine statements 4 and 5 into a single document for upload.

The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment. See https://equity.unl.edu/notice-nondiscrimination/. 

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Food Science, Animal Science, Meat Science, Microbiology, Food Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated track record of academic accomplishments in food microbiology and/or food safety (publications in peer-reviewed journals, presentations at scientific conferences) according to rank.

Preferred Qualifications

• Post-doctoral or other post-graduate experience (e.g., industry work) in food microbiology and/or food safety.
• A demonstrated record of the potential to obtain external funding according to faculty rank.
• Track record of supervising personnel (undergraduate and graduate students, employees) according to rank.
• Experience working in outreach programs.
• Experience developing and/or delivering short courses, workshops, or workforce training (e.g., HACCP, Preventive Controls, etc.), either in person or online to meet the current and emerging needs of small and large food and meat processors.
• Ability to provide expertise and technical assistance in the areas of food safety in meat processing, food service, and retail to small and large processors.
• Teaching experience at the college level.
• Demonstrated leadership in the development of interdisciplinary programs, research, coursework, and/or curricula.
• Excellent communication skills using a variety of methods and platforms.

About University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Department of Food Science and Technology

The Department of Food Science and Technology at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) is a nationally recognized leader in food safety, food microbiology, and food innovation. As part of UNL’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR), the department integrates research, teaching, and extension to address real-world challenges across the food system. Our faculty collaborate broadly across campus and with federal, industry, and global partners to advance science, support the food industry, and train the next generation of food scientists. With state-of-the-art facilities, including the Food Processing Center, we foster impactful research and engagement that strengthen Nebraska’s food sector and contribute to global food safety and quality. Learn more at foodscience.unl.edu.

Connections working at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Department of Food Science and Technology