Assistant Professor of Food Science – Food Innovation

Position Title:

Appointment Type:

Job Description:

Position Description
The Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at Iowa State University invites applications for a 12-month tenure-eligible faculty position in Food Innovation at the rank of Assistant Professor in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

This position will provide leadership for Extension outreach and applied research that supports food product development and ingredient innovation in the state of Iowa. The successful candidate will work closely with Iowas food and ingredient companies and economic development partners to help grow and strengthen Iowas food industry. The position also includes contributions to the departments research mission.

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:

Extension (55%)

• Develop and lead a statewide extension program in Food Innovation in alignment with ISU Extension and Outreach priorities focused on ingredient innovation and food product development from concept through commercialization.

• Engage with Iowa food and ingredient companies entrepreneurs and commodity groups to identify needs and co-create educational and service activities (e.g. workshops short courses technical assistance).

• Coordinate with campus partners (e.g. Food Innovation and Business Hub Center for Crops Utilization Research CIRAS) and faculty in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition to support innovation technology transfer and workforce development in the food sector.

• Create and disseminate extension resources (e.g. fact sheets webinars podcasts digital content best-practice guides) for industry and community stakeholders.

Research (40%)

Establish an independent research program that aligns with and supports Extension activities. Potential focus areas include (but are not limited to):

• Ingredient functionality and formulation

• Product and process innovation for value-added foods

• Sensory evaluation and consumer insights

• Shelf-life quality and stability of new products

Lead research projects

Secure external funding to support research

Mentor graduate students and contribute to student professional development.

Publish research in peer-reviewed journals and present findings at scientific and industry conferences.

Service (5%)

• Provide service to the department college university and profession including committee work and professional society engagement.
  

Required Minimum Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Food Science or a closely related discipline. The degree must be conferred by the time of appointment.

• Research experience evidenced by publications in peer-reviewed journals
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Post-doctoral and/or industry experience in food product development ingredient development or closely related R&D or technical roles.

• Demonstrated understanding and experience in developing extension programs including needs assessment curriculum development educational resource development and impact measurement.

• Demonstrated experience delivering training developing educational resources and providing technical assistance.

• Demonstrated success in initiating and maintaining collaborative partnerships with industry stakeholders to launch products or solve technical challenges.

• Demonstrated potential to establish a successful impactful research program in Food Innovation.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

Department/Program & College Description:

The Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at Iowa State University is renowned nationally and internationally with a strong focus on research teaching and extension. The Department offers comprehensive undergraduate programs in Food Science Culinary Food Science Nutritional Science Dietetics Diet and Exercise and Nursing. It also provides graduate programs in Food Science and Technology Dietetics and Diet and Exercise and supports interdepartmental graduate programs in Microbiology Nutritional Science and Toxicology. The department is supported by the College of Human Sciences and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The Department boasts excellent facilities including the Packaging Research Labs and the Polymer and Food Protection Consortium which are among the largest and best-equipped in the country. These facilities have dedicated packaging resources and operate out of 10 laboratories with industry support. The state-of-the-art laboratories feature pilot-scale packaging manufacturing equipment material waste processing equipment simulation space for hot/cold display cases and advanced instrumentation for packaging analysis and characterization. The ISU campus also provides a wide range of analytical services College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at Iowa State University is one of the worlds leading institutions of agriculture with more than 160 years of leadership in science education and extension. The College educates future leaders conducts mission-oriented research and shares new knowledge for the betterment of Iowa and the world. Iowa State plays a leading role in meeting the ever-growing demand for highly qualified students who will become the next generation of industry leaders and educators in Iowa the nation and the world.

Department Unit/Website:

Start Date:July 1 2026

Number of Months Employed Per Year:

To receive full consideration all application materials must be submitted by February 9 2026. If you have questions about the application process please contact Dr. Joey Talbert at

Why Choose ISU

Iowa State Faculty enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits including medical and dental; as well as:
Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
Generous leave plans
Onsite childcare (Ames Iowa)
Life insurance and long-term disability
Flexible Spending Accounts
Various voluntary benefits and discounts
Employee Assistance Program
Wellbeing program

Original Posting Date:

Posting Close Date:

Job Requisition Number: