Assistant Professor, Food Safety and Microbiology

Assistant Professor, Food Safety and Microbiology, Department of Food and BioproductSciences

College of Agriculture and Bioresources

The Department of Food and Bioproduct Sciences is seeking a dynamic individual to join us as a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor in Food Safety and Microbiology.

This pivotal position will focus on advancing food safety as it relates to detection, traceability, and sustainability of food supply successful candidate will be expected to develop a cross-cutting research program within a vibrant and research-intensive department and will collaborate effectively with researchers within and beyond the department.

The candidate will also contribute to, and develop courses within, our undergraduate and graduate programs based on teacher-scholar approaches, undertake administrative duties, and participate in departmental and university collegial processes.

The preferred candidate will join a cohort of several new professors hired within the strategic area of Sustainable and Digital Agriculture, a priority research area rich in potential for collaboration, partnership, innovation, and impact.

Information about this cluster hire can be found at .

The Department of Food and Bioproduct Sciences consists of ten faculty members with diverse research programs in the areas of food nutrigenomics, brewing, food / environmental microbiology, food chemistry and omics, pathogen detection using machine learning and AI, food nanotechnology and emulsion science, food enzymology, lipid biotechnology, microbial bioproducts, protein, lipid and starch quality / utilization, bioprocessing, and value-added crop utilization.

A fermentation pilot plant, bioprocessing pilot plant, food / ingredient processing pilot plant, sensory laboratory, product development kitchen, teaching laboratories and access to analytical and molecular biology suites is available within the Department to support both research and teaching.

The department has a strong tradition of research excellence with approximately 70 active graduate students and significant external research support.

We deliver four undergraduate degree programs in Food and Bioproduct Sciences, Food Science, Food and Nutrition, and Food Industry Management, as well as and degree programs in both Applied Microbiology and Food Science.

The university is home to the Canadian Light Source (CLS), a world-class synchrotron facility with 22 beam lines for basic and applied research.

The is an international leader in applied research and scholarship with expertise and integration across four primary themes : Plants and Animals;

Food, Feed and Bioproducts; Environment and Ecology; and Business and Applied Economics. The college has a century-long reputation for teaching, research and outreach and has been a consistent strength for the university.

The college has played a pivotal role in the development of the agriculture and food industries in Saskatchewan and continues to build on a legacy of public engagement and cooperative partnerships.

Our faculty are committed to providing an exceptional learning experience and preparing graduates for leadership in the bioeconomy.

The University of Saskatchewan’s main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. The University of Saskatchewan is located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, a city with a diverse and thriving economic base, a vibrant arts community and a full range of leisure opportunities.

The University has a reputation for excellence in teaching, research and scholarly activities and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs to a student population of over 26,000.

This position requires a in Applied Microbiology, Food Microbiology, or Microbial Biotechnology (or a related discipline), coupled with complementary expertise in ONE OR MORE of the following domains : food safety, novel detection methods of microbial pathogens, remote sensing / digital imaging, risk assessment and hazard management, or molecular microbial ecology of food systems.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate a robust or emerging research portfolio alongside an outstanding academic track record.

Post-doctoral experience in relevant research and a proven ability in effective classroom instruction and mentorship would be advantageous.

Strong communication and interpersonal abilities, coupled with the capacity to cultivate productive relationships with faculty and stakeholders, are essential.

Candidates should be eligible for membership in the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists ().

The successful candidate will take a lead role in driving food safety research important to Saskatchewan and Canada, with opportunities to collaborate with others similarly engaged in research with a sustainability focus.

The successful applicant will also have access to research and analytical facilities from across campus and the city, including those from Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Research Council of Canada, as well as those of industry partners.

Salary band for this position for the 2023-2024 academic year are as follows : Assistant Professor : $99,945 to $120,099.

This position includes a comprehensive benefits package which includes a dental, health and extended vision care plan, pension plan, life insurance (compulsory and voluntary), academic long-term disability, sick leave, travel insurance, death benefits, an employee assistance program, a professional expense allowance, and a flexible health and wellness spending program.