Assistant Professor (Practice) Food Microbiologist

Assistant Professor (Practice) Food Microbiologist

Oregon State University

Department: COMES - Newport Exp Sta (ASF)

Appointment Type: Academic Faculty

Job Location: Astoria

Recommended Full-Time Salary Range: $60,000 – $80,000

Job Summary:

The Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station invites applications for a full-time (1.00 FTE ), 12-month, fixed-term Assistant Professor of Practice Food Microbiologist position. Reappointment is at the discretion of the Department Head.

Appointment at the Assistant Professor of Practice rank is anticipated; however, appointment at a promoted rank may be considered depending upon the qualifications of the successful candidate.

This https://hr.oregonstate.edu/employees/current-employees/current-employees-academic-faculty/academic-appointment-guidelines position will serve the seafood and aquatic food products industry throughout Oregon, but especially along the coast of Oregon. The position is located in Astoria, Oregon at thhttps://osuseafoodlab.oregonstate.edu/This position resides within the https://marineresearch.oregonstate.edu/comes/coastal-oregon-marine-experiment-stationCOMES -Astoria) with an academic home in thhttps://foodsci.oregonstate.edu/in the College of Agricultural Sciences at Oregon State University. Active contributions to scholarship are required (see the scholarly outcomes section, below, for details).

COMES has faculty located in Newport, Astoria and on Corvallis campus. COMES has been the state’s primary research engine supporting wise use and conservation of marine resources with a primary focus on fisheries, aquaculture and seafood. Consistent with the College of Agricultural Sciences’ mission, COMES works to solve complex problems of productivity, profitability, environmental quality, and human health, and to prepare the next generation of scientists, managers, and leaders in marine resource and seafood sciences. We strive to be entrepreneurial and innovative, and to work collaboratively with our stakeholders and partners including the fishing and seafood industries, coastal communities, and state and federal agencies.

This position provides leadership and expertise in food microbiology, with a specific focus on the study of pathogens (bacterial and/or viral) relevant to Oregon’s commercially important seafood products. The successful candidate will contribute to the research and outreach missions of the Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station (COMES ) in Astoria, OR. The incumbent is expected to develop and maintain an externally funded research program that focuses on pathogen biology, detection, and control, with an emphasis on understanding the behavior of microorganisms in seafood environments.

As the resident microbiology expert for the facility, the incumbent will manage the Biosafety Level 2 (BSL -2) laboratory, overseeing the appropriate storage, culture, and identification of microbial species. This role requires deep expertise in microbiology, including proficiency in handling pathogens and ensuring unit compliance with biosafety protocols.

In addition to research, this position involves developing outreach programs, including workshops, training, and service fee-based projects that provide microbiological expertise to seafood industry stakeholders. The incumbent will deliver scientific and technical guidance on microbial hazards and pathogen control strategies, contributing innovative solutions to ensure seafood safety for Oregon, the region, and the nation.

This position offers a unique opportunity to drive innovation in seafood safety through cutting-edge microbiological research, lab management, and industry-focused outreach.

As a land grant institution committed to teaching, research and outreach and engagement, OSU promotes economic, social, cultural and environmental progress for the people of Oregon, the nation and the world. This position contributes to the mission of the College of Agricultural Sciences, with principal responsibilities for applied research that addresses stakeholder needs, and outreach and education programs that deliver timely and essential information.

Active and effective communication with colleagues, staff, and key stakeholders and industry leaders is critical to the success of this position.

College of Agricultural Sciences is committed to student success by engaging students in quality academic, research, internships, global studies, and other experiential learning opportunities. Positions with primary responsibility for extension and outreach are likewise committed to learner success through programming appropriate for diverse audiences. There is an expectation that, as part of the role of this position within the college, the candidate should embody and advance the principles and practices conveyed in thhttps://agsci.oregonstate.edu/sites/agscid7/files/main/for-faculty/care.pdf

Commitment to inclusive excellence: Oregon State University is committed to creating and maintaining compassionate and inclusive learning and working environments for all learners, visitors and employees. We envision collaborative community environments that enhance civility and embrace diversity. All employees are responsible for achieving this commitment. This commitment includes, but is not limited to, complying with Civil Rights and Language Access regulations. In addition, this individual will design, develop, maintain and/or carry out research and outreach programs to ensure that educational programs and outreach activities serve diverse populations, including those that have been historically marginalized/excluded from participation.

Why OSU?

Working for Oregon State University is so much more than a job!

Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers, problem-solvers and change-makers. We don’t wait for challenges to present themselves — we seek them out and take them on. We welcome students, faculty and staff from every background and perspective into a community where everyone feels seen and heard. We have deep-rooted mindfulness for the natural world and all who depend on it, and together, we apply knowledge, tools and skills to build a better future for all.

FACTS :

• Top 1.4% university in the world

• More research funding than all public universities in Oregon combined

• 1 of 3 land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the U.S.

• 2 campuses, 11 colleges, 12 experiment stations, and Extension programs in all 36 counties

• 7 https://hr.oregonstate.edu/work-life/diversity-and-cultural-resources that offer education, celebration and belonging for everyone

• 100+ undergraduate degree programs, 80+ graduate degrees plus hundreds of minor options and certificates

• 35k+ students including more than 2.3k international students and 10k students of color

• 217k+ alumni worldwide

• For more interesting facts about OSU visit: https://oregonstate.edu/about

Locations:

Oregon State has a statewide presence with campuses in Corvallis and Bend, the OSU Portland Center and the Hatfield Marine Science Center on the Pacific Coast in Newport.

Oregon State’s beautiful, historic and state-of-the-art main campus is located in one of America’s best college towns. Corvallis is located close to the Pacific Ocean, the Cascade mountains and Oregon wine country. Nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, this beautiful city offers miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, a river perfect for boating or kayaking and an eclectic downtown featuring local cuisine, popular events and performances.

Total Rewards Package:

Oregon State University offers a https://hr.oregonstate.edu/benefits/prospective-employee with benefits eligible positions that is designed to meet the needs of employees and their families including:

• Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life. OSU pays 95% of premiums for you and your eligible dependents.

• Free confidential mental health and emotional support services, and counseling resources.

• Retirement savings paid by the university.

• A generous paid leave package, including holidays, vacation and sick leave.

• Tuition reduction benefits for you or your qualifying dependents at OSU or the additional six Oregon Public Universities.

• Robust Work Life programs including Dual Career assistance resources, flexible work arrangements, a Family Resource Center, Affinity Groups and an Employee Assistance Program.

Future and current OSU employees can use the https://hr.oregonstate.edu/benefits/new-employees/benefits-calculator to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU .

Key Responsibilities

The incumbent is expected to provide leadership and vision in food microbiology research and to extend programming that serves the needs of seafood and aquatic food harvesters, producers, processors, and allied industries throughout Oregon. Programs will emphasize the study of microbial pathogens and spoilage organisms in seafood and aquatic foods that are harvested, produced, and processed in Oregon.

This faculty member embeds the commitment of the university to a collaborative and inclusive community in all interactions and duties performed. This individual ensures that educational programs and outreach activities serve diverse populations, including those that have been historically marginalized/excluded from participation.

70% Community Outreach, Technology Demonstration and Applied Research Outreach and Technology Demonstration (40%):

• Establish outreach programming and demonstration projects in seafood and aquatic food science, with a focus on food microbiology, emphasizing multi-tactic practices and a systems approach to food safety. Coordinate these activities with fisheries, seafood, and aquatic food research faculty at COMES and other OSU research facilities, ensuring alignment with pathogen and microbiology-related research and outreach efforts.

• Develop, maintain, and provide microbiological expertise related to pathogens (bacterial and viral) and spoilage organisms associated with seafood and aquatic foods. Ensure expert knowledge of food safety policies, regulations, and trends, with a focus on enhancing microbial food safety.

• Serve as the unit’s resident microbiology expert for seafood and aquatic foods in Oregon, addressing microbiology-related questions from fishers, processors, industry consultants, and other stakeholders.

• Provide or collaborate with process authorities to offer microbiological expertise in low-acid canned food and acidified food processing. Facilitate stakeholder access to the unit’s canner and ensure microbial safety.

• Ensure diversity and inclusivity in program content, considering perspectives from historically marginalized populations.

• Market programs effectively, ensuring access to all without discrimination.

• Participate in professional development opportunities to enhance the capacity to lead educational programs.

Applied Research (30%):

• Conduct applied research in food microbiology with a focus on microbial pathogens or spoilage organisms in seafood and aquatic food systems. This includes investigating their behavior, biology, and interactions within seafood environments, aiming to understand how these microorganisms persist, survive, and affect food quality and safety.

• Explore pathogen and spoilage organism biology, including mechanisms of virulence, survival, and resistance in seafood and aquatic food products and environments, alongside pathogen inactivation and detection methods.

• Investigate and apply emerging technologies and practices that address the ecology and evolution of microbial hazards and develop microbial solutions to enhance both food safety and quality, especially in response to changing environmental conditions affecting Coastal Oregon.

• Collaborate with faculty within the unit, peers from related disciplines, and industry partners to develop applied research programs that advance knowledge of seafood and aquatic food microbial biology.

• Secure funding and other resources (through grants, contracts, gifts, service fees, etc.) to expand the capacity, particularly in research on microbial pathogens and spoilage organisms in seafood.

• Serve as an investigator on a USDA -NIFA Hatch collaborative or Hatch multistate project.

• Communicate research progress and results to stakeholders and provide educational opportunities using peer reviewed publications, professional meetings, commodity group presentations, outreach events (workshops and trainings) and electronic communication (i.e., web sites, publications, video conferencing and other online methods).

• Mentor and support graduate and undergraduate students, encouraging diversity within the microbiology research program.

20% – Scholarly Outcomes:

• Assigned duties for this position are expected to result in scholarly outcomes. Scholarly and creative work is intellectual work whose significance is validated by peers and that is communicated through a variety of mediums. Emphasis in scholarship should be placed on outcomes that recognize activities as a professional practitioner in community settings as defined in this position description. To achieve promotion, scholarship for this position must include peer reviewed materials that are durable and searchable in the web environment.

• Secure funding support through some combination of external grants, and contracts and/or service fees to support and enhance position-appropriate educational and applied research programs and service activities, as appropriate. Funding can be secured individually and as part of teams. The faculty member will be expected to meet all reporting requirements of the funding sources, department, college, and university.

• Develop fact sheets, outreach publications, website content and other materials that address seafood and aquatic food safety science needs specific to Oregon producers, harvesters, and processors.

• Regularly evaluate and document evidence of outreach and research program accomplishments and communicate the results to target audiences.

10% – Service

• Faculty are expected to be collegial members of their units, and to perform appropriate service that contributes to the effectiveness, diversity and inclusiveness of their departments, colleges, the university, and their professions. University service includes serving the University-wide community of research, teaching, and extension faculty including development of community resources. Professional service includes, but is not limited to, reviewing manuscripts for journals and proposals for national funding agencies, and involvement in- and leadership of professional organizations.

• Represent unit at commodity meetings and other state, regional advisory committees appropriate to position responsibilities.

What You Will Need

Master’s degree in Food Science with a focus on food microbiology, or a degree and research focus closely related to the duties of the position. Degree must be completed by start date. Strong background in food microbiology and/or food virology.

Commitment to establishing and supporting compassionate and inclusive environments, enhancing civility and embracing diversity in educational and outreach programs to serve diverse populations Demonstrated informal or formal teaching skills.

Demonstrated written and oral communication skills including the effective use of electronic (traditional and web-based) and printed mass media.

Demonstrated ability to use common computer technology, including proficiency with information technology, data management, web sites, and social media.

Demonstrated ability to gather, interpret and communicate clearly and effectively broad-based scientific information with community and industry stakeholders as well as the basic working knowledge about how to conduct applied field research.

This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard: 05-010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.

This position requires driving a university vehicle or a personal vehicle on behalf of the university; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a motor vehicle history check, possess and maintain a current, valid driver’s license in their state of residence, be determined to be position qualified and self-report convictions as per University Policy 05-030.

What We Would Like You to Have

Master’s degree in Food Science with a focus on food microbiology, or a degree and research focus closely related to the duties of the position. Degree must be completed by start date.

5+ years’ experience working in food microbiology or food virology.

1+ years’ experience with Extension or other informal education delivery methods.

Course work or training or experience with experimental design or basic statistical methods appropriate for applied field research.

Ability to speak Spanish.

Prior experience with incorporating multiple cultural perspectives in educational design and delivery. Demonstrated ability to secure external funding support for educational and research programs.

Working Conditions / Work Schedule

Flexibility to work evenings and weekends.

Position is required to be physically located in Clatsop County, OR.

Position requires travel.

Working in harvest vessels, loading docks, processing facilities may be necessary.

Special Instructions to Applicants

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by October 30, 2024. Applications will continue to be accepted after the full consideration date, until a sufficient applicant pool has been achieved or the position is filled. The closing date is subject to change without notice to applicants.

When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic documents:

1) A resume/CV; and

2) A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position.

3) Summarize or outline your proposed research program and how it aligns with a robust resilient food systems/manufacturing research enterprise. (2-page limit, upload as Statement of Research).

4) Publications.

You will also be required to submit the names of at least three professional references, their e-mail addresses and telephone numbers as part of the application process.

For additional information please contact: Christina A. Mireles DeWitt

christina.dewitt@oregonstate.edu

OSU commits to inclusive excellence by advancing equity and diversity in all that we do. We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.

OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire.

OSU is a fair chance employer committed to inclusive hiring. We encourage applications from candidates who bring a wide range of lived experience including involvement with the justice system. This job has “critical or security-sensitive” responsibilities. If you are selected as a finalist, your initial job offer will be contingent upon the results of a job-related pre-employment check (such as a background check, motor vehicle history check, sexual misconduct reference check, etc.). Background check results do not automatically disqualify a candidate. Take a look at our https://hr.oregonstate.edu/careers/background-checks website including the https://hr.oregonstate.edu/careers/candidates section for more details. If you have questions or concerns about the pre-employment check, please contact OSU’s Employee and Labor Relations team at employee.relations@oregonstate.edu.

To apply, please visit: https://apptrkr.com/5689394

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