FACULTY POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT 

Assistant Specialist in Cooperative Extension for Community Food Safety 
in the Department of Food Science and Technology 
University of California, Davis 

The Department of Food Science and Technology, internationally recognized as a premier center of excellence in research, teaching, and extension, is seeking applications for a Specialist in Cooperative Extension (CE) at the Assistant rank in the field of food safety. The mission of the Department of Food Science and Technology (http://foodscience.ucdavis.edu) is to develop and disseminate comprehensive basic and applied knowledge regarding the production and processing of foods and beverages. A Cooperative Extension (CE) Specialist is being recruited to conduct original applied research resulting in information that can be applied toward scale- appropriate processing and preservation technologies that are effective at controlling of pathogens in food, and to develop an extension education and outreach program that extends information to toward various clientele (e.g., growers, food processors, food handlers, regulators and consumers) including under-represented groups. The successful candidate will bring visibility and leadership to campus- and county-based CE academics and other researchers and educators involved in the study of food safety. Research and extension outreach activities will be closely integrated with UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR), county-based CE academics and clientele as well as campus-based CE and ladder rank faculty. The appointee will be a faculty member of the Department of Food Science and Technology in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at the University of California, Davis. 

Responsibilities: This is a full time, career-track appointment that includes the expectation that the appointee will conduct mission-oriented research and engage in extension education and outreach that advances the mission of the Department of Food Science and Technology and ANR. The focus of this position will be on food safety. Accordingly, applicants should have the professional background necessary to conduct original research in food safety. 

Extension Teaching: A person in this position is expected to provide leadership as a liaison between campus-based researchers, CE campus and county based academics, and clientele groups such as growers, food processors, food handlers, regulators and consumers. This will include providing information to clientele through print publications, web-based resources and in-person presentations, and serving as a resource for other CE academics. 

Applied Research: The successful candidate will: 1) coordinate applied research related to food safety; 2) conduct, and publish the results of applied research or other creative activities designed to control pathogens in food. Areas of emphasis may include any of the following: microbial ecology, food processing or preservation technologies, pathogen detection, quantitative risk assessment, chemical food safety (pesticides, food additives, environmental contaminants such as metals). 

Professional Competence and Activity: The candidate will be expected to participate in professional society activities including presenting papers at national and international meetings; reviewing manuscripts and grant proposals in his/her area of expertise; and establishing productive working relationships with scientists and extension personnel in other states and countries. The goal would be to gain national and international recognition for scholarly contributions to the science and practices of food safety, as he/she advances to the higher ranks in the UC system. 

Qualifications: Ph.D. degree in food science, microbiology or other closely related discipline is required. Additionally, knowledge, experience, interest and/or academic coursework related to food processing, food preservation, national and California food regulations and policy, is highly desired. 

The successful candidate must have a record that documents productivity in research as evidenced by publications in peer-reviewed journals. 

Salary: Commensurate with experience. 

Appointment Date: Applications will be reviewed with the expectation that the appointee will be available for service on or soon after January 1, 2016. 

Applications: Applications should be submitted on-line at http://recruit.ucdavis.edu/. Written inquiries should be directed to Dr. Linda J. Harris, Search Committee Chair, Department of Food Science and Technology, One Shields Avenue, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, voice (530) 754-9485 and email ljharris@ucdavis.edu. 

Applicants should submit: curriculum vitae including publication list statement of research interests and goals; a summary or abstract of the Ph.D. dissertation; copies or links to recent relevant publications; and names, addresses including e-mail, and telephone numbers of at least three references. The position will remain open until filled. To ensure consideration, applications should be received by October 15, 2015. 

UC Davis is an affirmative action/equal employment opportunity employer and is dedicated to recruiting a diverse faculty community. We welcome all qualified applicants to apply, including women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. 

PDF copy of the position announcement below.