Job Description

Associate Professor in Food Phytochemistry and Fermented Foods, and Director of the Lake Erie Regional Grape Research and Extension Center (LERGREC)

POSITION SPECIFICS

The Department of Food Science at The Pennsylvania State University invites applications for a tenure-track Associate Professor position with specialization in food phytochemistry, advanced analytical chemistry, and/or fermented foods science. The successful candidate will establish a strong, externally funded research program centered on the chemistry of phenolic compounds, secondary metabolites, and bioactive constituents in agricultural commodities and food systems, including, but not limited to, fermented products. The candidate will strengthen Pennsylvania's food and agricultural industries by conducting applied research informed by foundational scientific inquiry, training the next generation of food scientists and analytical chemists, and developing outreach programming that serves the Commonwealth's current and future industry needs. The successful candidate's research program will focus on such topics as enology, brewing science, polyphenol and tannin chemistry, LC-MS/MS-based metabolomics, and grapevine-to-fermentation linkages, and should meaningfully complement and extend these existing strengths across a broader range of agricultural commodities and food matrices. In addition to research responsibilities, the successful candidate will serve as the Director of the Lake Erie Regional Grape Research and Extension Center (LERGREC).

Key Responsibilities:

Research (60%): Develop and maintain a nationally and internationally recognized, externally funded research program in food phytochemistry, advanced analytical chemistry of agricultural commodities, and/or fermented food science. The candidate is expected to collaborate with faculty across disciplines, including food science, plant science, horticulture, agronomy, nutritional sciences, and chemistry. The candidate would also be expected to support Pennsylvania's growing food and agricultural industries through outreach and applied research, providing science-based solutions for quality improvement, authentication, and innovation. The successful candidate will work as part of multidisciplinary teams at Penn State that bridge food science, flavor chemistry, sensory and consumer science, plant biology, and nutritional biochemistry. Candidates whose research programs complement existing departmental expertise in polyphenol chemistry and LC-MS/MS-based metabolomics (e.g., those specializing in phenolics characterization across diverse crops, advanced mass spectrometry, structural elucidation of tannins and flavonoids, bioactivity of plant secondary metabolites, etc.) are encouraged to apply.

Potential research areas include, but are not limited to:

• Phenolics characterization in agricultural commodities: tannin structure-function relationships in cacao, grapes, hops, legumes, tree fruits, and other high-value crops

• Advanced mass spectrometry and chromatographic methods for structural elucidation and quantification of polyphenols, flavonoids, and other bioactive phytochemicals

• Metabolomics and chemometrics applied to food authentication, geographic origin, varietal differentiation, and quality assessment of agricultural products

• Phytochemical responses to agronomic and environmental factors: effects of cultivar, growing conditions, and post-harvest handling on polyphenol profiles

• Bioavailability, bioaccessibility, and health-promoting properties of dietary phenolics and plant secondary metabolites

• Chemistry of fermentation as it relates to phenolic transformation, flavor development, and bioactive compound evolution in fermented foods and beverages

• Sensory-active phytochemicals: linking polyphenol structure to astringency, bitterness, color, and aroma in food systems

• Tannin-protein and tannin-carbohydrate interactions relevant to food texture, nutritional quality, and processing

• Sustainable utilization of agricultural by-products and co-products as sources of bioactive phenolic compounds

• Application of high-throughput analytical platforms for phenotyping polyphenol diversity in plant breeding and crop improvement programs

This position offers exciting opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations within Penn State's Food Science, Plant Science, Horticulture, Nutritional Sciences, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, and Chemistry programs, as well as with regional and national industry stakeholders across food, beverage, nutraceutical, and agricultural sectors.

Director (40%): The Director of the Lake Erie Regional Grape Research and Extension Center (LERGREC) provides strategic and operational leadership for the Center, ensuring excellence in grape research, extension, and teaching. This role oversees day-to-day center operations, including supervising staff, managing budgets, and coordinating the agricultural calendar for vineyard maintenance, seasonal spraying, and harvest activities. The Director serves as the primary liaison between LERGREC and growers, industry partners, and community stakeholders—hosting field days, workshops, and educational programs, while representing the Center at meetings and conferences. In addition, the Director supports research initiatives and experiential learning opportunities, fosters collaboration across Penn State campuses, especially with Behrend, and strengthens partnerships industry. The Director also develops strategic plans to advance the Center's impact and sustainability, including where appropriate, expanding its scope beyond grapes. Finally, the Director will leverage analytical or compositional research to connect vineyard production decisions to fruit and product quality, integrating field-based grape research with downstream analysis to strengthen the Center's value to the grape and wine industries and connect its work with the broader research community

LERGREC is a 40-acre agricultural research and extension facility located approximately 15 miles east of Erie. It primarily supports the grape-processing industry and maintains a strong presence along the Lake Erie coastline in both Pennsylvania and New York. Faculty and research staff at LERGREC conduct 10 to 20 projects each year, most focusing on vineyard disease and insect pest management. They frequently engage with undergraduates from Penn State Behrend and have access to Penn State University's extensive life sciences core facilities at the University Park campus.

Qualifications:

• The candidate must have a record that supports immediate tenure at the level of Associate Professor in Food Science.

• Ph.D. in Food Science, Food Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Plant Biology, Fermentation Science, or a closely related discipline by the time of appointment.

• Demonstrated research expertise in food phytochemistry, analytical chemistry of agricultural products, or fermented food science, as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications, grants, and/or industry collaboration.

• Expertise in advanced mass spectrometry, structural characterization of polyphenols and tannins, or metabolomics-based analysis of agricultural commodities is particularly valued, as these areas directly complement and extend existing departmental strengths in enology, polyphenol chemistry, and beverage analytical chemistry.

• Strong commitment to teaching and demonstrated success in student mentorship.

• Ability to engage with industry stakeholders and communicate research findings effectively.

• Ability to work cooperatively among an inclusive population of students, faculty, staff, industry, and agency groups.

Application Process:

All applicants must apply online and submit five documents 1) cover letter including leadership experience that speaks to the role as Director, 2) curriculum vitae including names and contact information for four references, 3) copies of graduate and undergraduate transcripts, 4) one-to-two-page research statement summarizing your proposed research and 5) a strategy for strategic operation of with LERGREC. System limitations allow for a total of 5 documents (5mb per document) as part of your application. Please combine materials to meet the 5-document limit.

Questions regarding the position can be directed to Dr. Bob Roberts, Professor and Head, Department of Food Science mailto:[email protected].

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

BENEFITS

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional wellbeing. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.

For more detailed information, please visit our https://hr.psu.edu/current-employee/benefits (Note: For Postdoctoral benefits, please see our https://hr.psu.edu/current-employee/benefits/post-doc-appts page.)

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission.

Apply online at https://apptrkr.com/7308917

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS:

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review https://police.psu.edu/annual-security-reports.

Copyright ©2025 Jobelephant.com Inc. All rights reserved.

https://www.jobelephant.com/