Assistant​/Associate Professor, Dairy Foods Processing

In this role, you will actively utilize the department’s newly renovated dairy processing plant and R&D space in Call Hall (https://www.asi.k-state.edu/about/facilities/Dairy-Plant.html), along with the state-of-the-art Western Star Global Grain and Food Center’s pilot food plants and educational spaces (https://www.k-state.edu/ag-innovation/facilities/global-center-grain-food-innovation/), as platforms for research, teaching, industry engagement, product development, and workforce training. Multiple advanced research facilities and core laboratories are available across campus to facilitate interdisciplinary interactions (https://www.k-state.edu/research/faculty/core-facilities/)

and research collaborations.

Research Responsibilities — 57.5%

You will be expected to establish and maintain a nationally recognized, externally funded research program addressing challenges and opportunities in dairy foods processing, dairy-based product stream utilization, and innovative food and ingredient manufacturing. Collaborative research opportunities in established K-State programs including biomanufacturing, Food As Medicine, functional foods development, pet and animal food/feed, and other fields of study are abundant (e.g., supply chain management, resource sustainability, automation, artificial intelligence, and sensing technology).

Specific position responsibilities are:

• Develop an independent and collaborative research program in dairy foods processing and innovative manufacturing technologies.
• Pursue competitive extramural funding from federal agencies, industry, commodity organizations, foundations, and other funding sources.
• Establish and maintain productive partnerships with dairy processors, food manufacturers, equipment manufacturers, technology companies, and other industry stakeholders.
• Help maintain and utilize the renovated Call Hall dairy processing plant (creamery), including its dedicated R&D space, as a platform for research, product development, technology demonstration, and industry collaboration.
• Develop innovative approaches to improve the safety, quality, functionality, sustainability, efficiency, and/or economic viability of dairy products and manufacturing processes, including byproduct utilization.
• Translate research findings into technologies, processes, products, publications, intellectual property, and other forms of impact.
• Mentor graduate students and undergraduate researchers.
• Publish research findings in appropriate peer-reviewed scientific journals and communicate results through professional meetings, industry conferences, K-State Extension, and stakeholder programs.

Teaching — 37.5%

As an ASI faculty member, you will be a critical contributor to the department's dynamic undergraduate and graduate degree programs, emphasizing its dairy concentration area (https://www.asi.k-state.edu/academics/undergraduate/asi/concentrations/). Teaching responsibilities will include:

• Develop and/or contribute to dairy processing and food science-related courses or modules addressing dairy manufacturing concepts at the undergraduate and graduate levels, per departmental needs.
• Teach courses in both on-campus and online formats, using contemporary instructional technologies and pedagogical approaches.
• Provide students with practical, hands‑on learning experiences utilizing the university's dairy processing plant and associated processing and analytical equipment.
• Integrate modern manufacturing concepts—including automation, process monitoring, data analytics, artificial intelligence, sustainability, byproduct utilization, and process optimization—into appropriate courses.
• Mentor undergraduate and graduate students to promote professional development and career preparation.
• Contri…