This position will be part of a cluster hire that will strengthen the University of Tennessee's ability to develop a national reputation in the area of food and nutrition security using a food systems approach. The cluster will include six faculty in the home units of Nutrition; Retail, Hospitality, and Tourism Management; Nursing; Agricultural and Resource Economics; Food Science; and Family and Consumer Sciences. Faculty hired as part of this cluster will collaboratively work across the University of Tennessee Knoxville (UTK) and University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA) campuses, using a team science approach, to build a strategic plan that emphasizes enhancing collaboration and impact by creating an interdisciplinary, translational human health and wellness identity at the University of Tennessee in food and nutrition security. This strategic plan will focus on interdisciplinary academic programming and scholarship. The successful applicant will develop a nationally recognized research and teaching program in food sensory science. The appointment is approximately 75% research and 25% teaching. The sensory scientist is expected to devote at least 70% of time and activities to collaborate with other cluster scientists toward cluster initiative's goals. We welcome applications from traditional sensory scientists and those engaging emerging technologies including but not limited to artificial intelligence, virtual reality, neural science, and data analytics to advance sensory science, assist the industry in developing new products, supplies, services, and markets, or guide consumers in improving health and wellness. Preference will be given to candidates with prior research, teaching, and grant proposal writing experience. Candidates applying for the associate professor rank should have the credentials that meet the expectations of UTK and the Department of Food Science for those at the same rank. The granting of tenure upon initial appointment for the rank of associate professor may be considered and will be based on qualifications.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Participate in interdisciplinary academic and research programming focusing on sensory science and its impact on food and nutrition security.
• Acquire extramural funding to support the interdisciplinary research program.
• Publish in high quality disciplinary and/or multidisciplinary journals.
• Teach graduate and undergraduate courses in accordance with appointment.
• Mentor MS/PhD students and serve on graduate student thesis and dissertation committees.
• Participate in service activities of the Cluster, Departments, College, University, and profession.

• An earned doctorate in Food Science or other relevant disciplines with sensory science experience by the time of appointment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including refereed journal publications.
• Evidence of effectively working within interdisciplinary teams. 

To apply, please submit these six pdf files through http://apply.interfolio.com/164492: 1) a letter of application detailing your interest and qualification in the position, 2) a curriculum vitae detailing education background, experience, and publications, 3) a statement of research (no more than two pages), 4) a one-page statement of teaching interest and philosophy, 5) transcripts of all college course work, and 6) names and contact information (including e-mail addresses) of five individuals who will serve as references. Screening of applicants will begin April 15, 2025 and continue until the position is filled. The preferred starting date is August 1, 2025. Any questions regarding the position can be directed to Dr. Qixin Zhong, Search Committee Chair, Department of Food Science, qzhong@utk.edu, 865-974-6196.

All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and admission without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, and parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law. In accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the University of Tennessee affirmatively states that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or disability in its education programs and activities, and this policy extends to employment by the university. Requests for accommodations of a disability should be directed to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Accessibility, 1840 Melrose Avenue Knoxville, Tennessee 37996-3560 or eoa@utk.edu or (865)974-2498. Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color and national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), the ADA (disability), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the Office of Investigation & Resolution 216 Business Incubator Building 2450 EJ. Chapman Drive Knoxville, Tennessee 37996 or (865)974-0717 or investigations@utk.edu.

About University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Our primary mission is to move forward the frontiers of human knowledge and enrich and elevate the citizens of the state of Tennessee, the nation, and the world. As the preeminent research-based, land-grant university in the state, UT embodies the spirit of excellence in teaching, research, scholarship, creative activity, outreach, and engagement attained by the nation’s finest public research institutions.

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