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POSITION SPECIFICS

The Department of Food Science at The Pennsylvania State University seeks a tenure track faculty member at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor with a specialization in Food Process Engineering. The position supports the Food Science strategic plan and addresses growing demands from the food industry for engineering solutions that enhance food quality, safety, and sustainability. We seek to expand and strengthen our existing capacity in food process engineering, one of the cornerstones of the discipline of Food Science. The position aligns with Penn State’s mission of fostering cutting-edge research, promoting economic growth, and providing education that directly benefits the agricultural and food sectors in Pennsylvania and beyond.

Key Responsibilities:

Research (75%)

The successful candidate is expected to develop a nationally and internationally recognized research program in food process engineering with an emphasis on innovative solutions to modern challenges in the food industry.

Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Novel food processing technologies (e.g., nonthermal, extrusion, 3D printing, fermentation engineering).

• Machine learning for predictive modeling in food safety. Including real-time monitoring and quality assurance systems for identifying pathogens, allergens, spoilage, and contamination.

• Automation, robotics, and artificial intelligence in food processing.

• Machine learning to enhance efficiency and reduce waste in the food supply chain, improve logistics, and enhance traceability.

• Sustainable food production systems and waste reduction.

• Food structure and rheology in relation to texture and sensory quality.

• Food safety engineering solutions.

• Bioprocessing and bioengineering of functional food ingredients.

Candidates are expected to pursue extramural funding to support their research program, publish in high-impact journals, and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams across the university and industry.

Teaching (25%)

The successful candidate will be responsible for teaching FDSC 405 (“Elements of Food Engineering”) to senior students in the Food Science major. This is a 3-credit class with two laboratory sections.