Assistant Professor of Fermentation and Food Science

Job description

Posting Detail Information


Working TitleAssistant Professor of Fermentation and Food Science

Position LocationFort Collins, CO

Work LocationPosition is fully in-office/in-person

Posting Number202500279F

Proposed Annual Salary Range$77,000 - $82,000

Employee Benefits
Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service.

With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

+ Review our detailed benefits information here.

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Position TypeFaculty

Work Hours/Week40

Description of Work Unit
Faculty in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition conduct innovative research instate of the art facilities (https://www.research.colostate.edu/cores/) , with an emphasis on basic, translational, and clinical applications in the area of chronic and age-related diseases.

We are committed to our goal of producing nationally and internationally recognized research programs and graduates that are focused on helping people protect and improve their health and quality of life throughout the lifespan.

The Department has ~500 undergraduate and ~50 graduate students.

We are in a growth stage and have hired five tenure track professors in the last five years.

Research activities within the department are supported by the NIH , the American Heart Association, the USDA , and other federal, state, and industry sponsors.

Faculty and graduate student offices are housed on the main CSU campus within the Gifford Building, which also contains over 2,000 sq.

ft.

of basic research laboratories and over 1,200 sq.

ft.

of clinical research space in the Food and Nutrition Clinical Research Facility.

Department faculty have strong affiliations and collaborations with several schools and departments on campus and across the state, including the Colorado School of Public Health, the Prevention Research Center, Occupational Therapy, Biomedical Sciences, and Health and Exercise Science.

Faculty regularly collaborate with the University of Colorado Health-North and the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, and the Colorado Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute.Department (http://www.fshn.chhs.colostate.edu/) information available.

Tenure/Tenure Track?Yes

% Research50

% Teaching40

% Service5

% Administration5

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on11/07/2025

Number of Vacancies1

Desired Start Date08/16/2026

Position End Date

Position Summary
The Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition ( FSHN ) at Colorado State University ( CSU ) invites applications for an Assistant Professor in Food Science.

The 9-month tenure track appointment will begin on August 16, 2026.

The successful candidate will lead an extramurally funded research program at the intersection of food science and human health, teach courses and mentor graduate students within the Food Science graduate specialization, and contribute to our undergraduate Food and Fermentation Science program.

We are seeking applicants who complement our current faculty research by integrating food science with nutrition science and human health.

Examples of potential research areas include characterization of food matrices and exploration of biological impacts; metabolomic characterization of foods; sensory perception as it relates to human health; microbial ecology of foods, and health impacts of fermented foods/beverages.

Priority will be given to research programs that demonstrate the ability to collaborate with ongoing department research in food science, nutrition and human health.

The successful candidate is expected to establish a nationally recognized, externally funded research program, to integrate their research into existing department and university priority areas, and to teach and mentor graduate and undergraduate students.

The position will have outstanding department support, a strong research infrastructure, and access to collaborative opportunities both within CSU and through industry partnerships.

Conditions of EmploymentPre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)

Required Job Qualifications

+ Ph.D. in food science or a closely related field

+ Minimum of 1 year postdoctoral experience at time of application (which could be attained in industry, academia, or government)

+ Research expertise in food science

+ Experience writing large external grants

+ Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publications of original research

+ Demonstrated ability to teach and mentor undergraduate and/or graduate students


Preferred Job Qualifications

+ Demonstrated ability to acquire research funding as PI

+ Evidence of interdisciplinary research and capacity for successful collaboration

+ Demonstrated ability to collaborate with the food and beverage industry


Special Instructions to Applicants
To apply, submit the following application materials directly to this posting: 1) a cover letter addressing required and preferred job qualifications, 2) a curriculum vita, 3) statement that describes your research background and vision for your future research program at Colorado State (two pages maximum), 4) a statement of teaching experience and vision to deliver undergraduate and graduate food science to a diverse student population and improve your teaching practice (two pages maximum) and 5) the names and contact information for three professional references whom we may contact at a future date.

CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals.

If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.

References will not be contacted without prior notification to candidates.

Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Background Check Policy Statement
Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students.

To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer.

The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification.

Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

EEO
Colorado State University ( CSU ) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Search ContactCharlene Van Buiten, charlene.vanbuiten@colostate.edu


Essential Duties



References Requested

References Requested


Minimum Requested3

Maximum Requested3


Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).




Applicant Documents
Required Documents

+ Cover Letter

+ Curriculum Vitae

+ Statement of Teaching Philosophy

+ Statement of Research Philosophy

Optional Documents

Required Skill Profession

Other General