Assistant/Associate Professor, Food Microbiology

Competition 2324

This position is part of the Association of the Academic Staff of the University of Alberta (AASUA).

The successful candidate will be offered a tenured or tenure-track appointment with the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor, which is in accordance with the Academic Faculty Agreement, and offers a comprehensive benefits package.

The Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science (AFNS) at the University of Alberta invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor in Food Microbiology. 

The successful candidate will join the Division of Food Science and Bioresource Technology (FSBT) in the Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science. The FSBT Division contributes to the delivery of the BSc Nutrition and Food Science Program, the Honors Food Science program, and the course-based MSc Specialization in Food Safety and Quality. These programs are an integral part of the Faculty of Agricultural, Life, and Environmental Sciences, in the College of Natural and Applied Sciences.

The successful candidate will be expected to teach undergraduate and/or graduate courses; supervise and mentor graduate students; and provide service to the department, faculty, University, and to their profession and communities who partner in research. They will grow a strong and collaborative research program within the Division of Food Science and Bioresource Technology (FSBT) and the Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science (AFNS). The candidate’s area of research will focus on fundamental and applied aspects of Food Microbiology to improve the understanding of microbial communities in food and enhance food safety and quality. The candidate is expected to build an internationally recognized research program related to food fermentation, food safety, microbial ecology of food systems, and/or analytical food microbiology to complement the existing expertise in the department.

Candidates must hold a Ph.D. in Microbiology, Food Science, or a closely related discipline. The candidate will teach across the Nutrition and Food Science curriculum, including undergraduate and graduate level courses with a focus on Food Microbiology. Teaching responsibilities may include Food Fermentations, Food Safety, and/or food process hazard assessment and control. In addition, the candidate will be expected to contribute to curriculum development and academic program planning.

We are seeking an individual with an exemplary record of emerging research accomplishments and the ability to develop and grow an impactful research program. The ideal candidate will be recognized by peers as a potential leader in their discipline, with the vision and talent essential to lead a novel and collaborative research program that complements existing strengths and transcends institutional, disciplinary, and international boundaries. Demonstrated success in securing funding and experience with collaboration with industry will be an asset. The successful candidate will also serve as an ambassador for teaching best practice(s) and fostering strong collaborative networks with key partners and organizations across the University of Alberta and beyond.

As one of Canada’s premier research institutions, the University of Alberta offers an excellent teaching and research environment with state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure, including laboratory equipment and a comprehensive range of leading-edge nutrition, food, and analytical research laboratories at the Human Nutrition Research Unit, Agri-Food Discovery Place, and the Agricultural Genomics and Proteomics Unit.  The University of Alberta’s work is rooted in a commitment to creating a university community where everyone feels valued, barriers to success are removed, and thriving connections are fostered (Changing the Story) while honoring Indigenous identities, languages, cultures and world views (Braiding Past, Present and Future). The University is located on Treaty 6 territory, and Métis Nation of Alberta Zone 4.  We recognize and respect the histories, languages, and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.      

How to Apply

To apply, please select the apply Online icon below and submit the following as one attachment in PDF format:

• Cover letter that includes highlights of how the candidate's profile meets the criteria described above, as well as the names of three (3) referees.
• Curriculum vitae. 
• Research statement that outlines main areas of current research and short-term and long-term research goals. (2 pages maximum)
• Teaching Dossier, which includes a brief teaching philosophy and evidence of, or potential for, teaching effectiveness (2 pages maximum)
• A statement where applicants describe their plans for helping to reduce inequities, remove barriers to access, and cultivate a sense of belonging in their teaching, research, mentorship, and service. (2 pages maximum)
• Letters of reference will be requested from applicants selected for interviews.

Review of applications will begin on or shortly after August 1st, 2025. Only those applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.

For further information on this position, or the department, please contact the Department Chair by email at afns-chair@ualberta.ca or visit our website at https://www.ualberta.ca/agricultural-food-nutritional-science/index.html.

With more than 40,000 students and 15,000 staff, the University of Alberta (www.ualberta.ca) grants almost 8,500 degrees annually to graduates of 388 undergraduate and 500 graduate programs. A research, medical-doctoral, multi-campus institution, the University of Alberta offers a full range of academic and professional programs.

The University of Alberta, its buildings, labs, and research stations are located on the traditional territory of Cree, Blackfoot, Métis, Nakota Sioux, Iroquois, Dene, and Ojibway/Saulteaux/Anishinaabe nations; lands that are now known as part of Treaties 6, 7, and 8 and homeland of the Métis. The University of Alberta respects the sovereignty, lands, histories, languages, knowledge systems, and cultures of First Nations, Métis and Inuit nations, and the ways of Indigenous peoples on these lands inform and guide our learning modalities and approach to community. The University of Alberta is home to the only Faculty of Native Studies in Canada, and the University of Alberta’s First Peoples’ House supports the growing enrolment of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students.

The Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences (ALES) is a science-based faculty that is positioned within the College of Natural and Applied Sciences. Our professors and students draw from the natural sciences, the social sciences and the arts and humanities to seek comprehensive solutions to some of the key challenges our province, country and world face today. ALES was founded in 1915 and has a long and rich history, tracing back to one of the oldest Faculties and earliest Departments at the University of Alberta. Teaching, research and community engagement within the Faculty are focused on healthy human environments; the sustainability of land, forests and water; the biological, economic, social and technological underpinnings of the bio-products industry; and global food systems. 

The Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science (AFNS) at the University of Alberta is a vibrant, collegial, and unique department, the first of its kind in North America. AFNS has a mission of serving the community through excellence in teaching and research in efficient and sustainable agricultural production, value-added processing, food safety and human health to promote the health and quality of life.    AFNS administers a budget of about $ 38 million, including approximately $24 million in research and trust funds.

The Department now has a total of 65 academic staff: over 100 Research Associates, PDFs, Adjunct professors, and visiting scientists and 350 administrative/technical and Support staff. There are approximately 350 graduate students and over 900 undergraduate students enrolled in the BSc in Agriculture, Animal Health, Nutrition & Food Science degree programs, administered at the Faculty level.  

We offer a health and wellness benefits package that includes a health spending account, parental leave, and pension benefits. Spouses/partners are offered employment services through the University's spousal/partner employment program.  For spouses eligible to be academic faculty members, we encourage discussing with the dean at the offer stage or during employment, as we value minimizing long-distance separation of families whenever possible, with consideration to budgets and staffing needs.  The campus offers a medical clinic and multiple childcare and housing options within steps of campus.  Academic faculty members are offered parental and medical leave, retirement benefits, and healthcare benefits.

Greater Edmonton, with nearly one million residents in the city and surrounding communities, is a beautiful city straddling a spectacular river valley park system. It is the capital of Alberta, with the lowest provincial tax regime in the country, and has led the nation in economic growth in the past five years. Edmonton is known as Canada’s Festival City, with more than thirty major annual festivals celebrating its rich cultural diversity and community spirit. It has all the attractions of a big city, yet it is clean, safe, and livable, with excellent schools and health care. Edmonton is located only a few hours from Banff and Jasper National Parks, which offer skiing in winter and excellent hiking and sightseeing in summer (www.edmonton.ca).