Position Function:

This is a 12-month, non-tenure position consisting of 100% Research (MAFES). The primary function of this position will be, as one of the core team members of the ESPL, to develop an aggressive research program related to seafood industry of MS coast with strong emphasis on food safety and food product development research.

Salary Grade: UC

Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Department Profile:

Coastal Research and Extension Center serves as Mississippi State University's "southern exposure". This position is located at the Experimental Seafood Processing Center (ESPL) in Pascagoula which is part of the Coastal Research and Extension Center (CREC) in Biloxi, MS, The position is administratively associated with CREC with an academic home in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering (DABE).

Area of Specialization:

Seafood Safety and Seafood Product Development

Tenure Track Status:

Non-tenure track

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Duties will include the development of a research program associated with the development of new optimal integrated processing technologies for manufacturing seafood. The scientific knowledge and the engineering data gained, such as the shelf-life of seafood treated under various radiation quality will be used for scale-up research in the future.
Potential focus areas could include, but not limited to: increase the food safety and quality of seafood by optimizing the integrated combinations of the high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) processing, individual quick freezing (IQF), X-ray, and freeze-heat-cool processes. The Assistant Research Professor will interact regularly with government and non-government agencies and organizations, who represent all facets of food production, food safety and food quality issues to identify and facilitate timely applied research efforts addressing specific problems encountered by clientele. The Assistant Research Professor will maintain programmatic ties with researchers and other faculty in the Agricultural and Biological Engineering and in other MAFES departments and centers to implement innovative disciplinary and interdisciplinary research programs as appropriate.

The Assistant Research Professor will ensure information transfer to stakeholders through on-site verification of research-based recommendations via use of appropriate technology. The individual will facilitate, coordinate and participate in research projects, other research activities in collaboration with MAFES and government and non-government agency and organization scientists. The individual will submit and/or partner with colleagues in grant and contract proposals seeking funding to support applied research efforts. Furthermore, the Assistant Research Professor will demonstrate and present information and updates through participating in local, statewide, regional, national and international meetings. In accordance with an Assistant Research Professor appointment, appropriate scholarly publications (print and web based) including: web-based information sheets, popular articles in trade magazines and newsletters, refereed journal articles, and press releases will be published where appropriate.

The Assistant Research Professor will actively participate in professional societies/organizations as well as appropriate CREC and DABE committees. These activities should include involvement in coordinating the goals and objectives of economic development and food safety through collaborative "team" efforts with other faculty and research scientists, and work with Extension counterparts for information dissemination. The Assistant Research Professor will have an active voice and display leadership in professional organizations and committees.

Minimum Qualifications:

A Ph.D. degree in food science or food microbiology or other area related to Food Science. A minimum of 2 years' experience in coastal seafood research and 2 years' experience of commercial activities in food production, food safety and food quality issues or equivalent. Acceptable candidate must have a demonstrated strong publication record in seafood safety and product development.
Demonstrated the completion of seafood HACCP course by The Association of Food and Drug Officials and the Seafood HACCP Alliance.

ABDs or degree pending considered (all but DISS):

No

Preferred Qualifications:

Radiation biology degree or 6+ years of radiation biology experience.
5+ years' experience conducting Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) management.
Demonstrated research using X-ray irradiation to eliminate pathogens in seafood and other related foods.
Ability to independently operate high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) processing, individual quick freezing (IQF) and X-ray irradiation equipment.
5 years' experience in seafood research, with demonstrated experience of research funded by coastal private companies.
5 + years' experience with commercial activities in food production, food safety and/or food quality issues.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

The individual should be self-motivated, fit well in a multidisciplinary team environment, and exhibit excellent oral and written communication skills. Demonstrated ability to publish in the peer-reviewed literature.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

*Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment, such as in the research laboratory and processing plant.
*Considerable physical activity. Requires heavy physical work; heavy lifting, pushing, or pulling required of objects up to 50 pounds.
*Work environment involves some exposure to hazards or physical risks, which require following basic safety precautions according university policies.

Instructions for Applying:

Link to apply: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/

Apply online at www.jobs.msstate.edu by submitting a cover letter, vitae, statement of research, copy of your transcripts, and three letters of recommendation (sent separately by your references) to:
Dr. James Henderson
Mississippi State University
Coastal Research and Extension Center
1815 Popps Ferry Road
Biloxi, MS 30532

or to jeh149@msstate.edu

Any social security numbers on requested transcripts should be redacted prior to submitting online.

Restricted Clause:

Position is contingent upon funding availability.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

MSU is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, gender identity, status as a U.S. veteran, and/or any other status protected by applicable law. We always welcome nominations and applications from women, members of any minority group, and others who share our passion for building a diverse community that reflects the diversity in our student population.