Position Summary

The Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition (FSHN) at Michigan State University invites applications for a full‐time, 9-month tenure system Assistant Professor position in either community or clinical nutrition with a 50% research, 45% teaching, and 5% service assignment.  The position start date is anticipated to be August 16, 2025.

The successful candidate must be a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) and is expected to develop a nationally recognized, funded research program. Preference will be given to those with expertise in areas that complement, contribute to, and expand existing faculty expertise and ongoing research programs in the department, college, and university. These areas include community nutrition, clinical nutrition, outcomes research in medical nutrition therapy and/or public health nutrition, theory-based dietary change, nutrition epidemiology, and international nutrition. Excellent collaborative research and partnership opportunities in these areas are available on campus including the medical and nursing colleges, Flint initiatives such as the MSU-Hurley Children’s Hospital Pediatric Public Health Institute and Department of Public Health, local hospitals such as the new McLaren Hospital, hospitals across the state such as Henry Ford Health Care System and Corewell Health, and with Michigan governmental health agencies.

The successful candidate is expected to build research collaborations, as appropriate, with colleagues within the FSHN department, other CANR units (e.g., Community Sustainability) and other MSU departments, colleges, and programs (e.g., Pediatrics and Human Development, Epidemiology, Nursing, Medicine, etc.). The successful candidate will be expected to generate support for their research program through federal, state, and industry grants and partnerships. They will be expected to teach in the undergraduate and graduate nutrition programs which might include courses in community nutrition, research methods, nutrition policy, and/or clinical nutrition, and advise graduate students.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Doctorate -Human Nutrition or closely related field

Minimum Requirements

An earned Ph.D. (in human nutrition, or a closely related field); Registered Dietitian qualification; a demonstrated record of research experience in community or clinical nutrition with evidence of scholarly activities as demonstrated by peer-reviewed publications and research funding.  Applicants should be capable of contributing to the teaching mission of the FSHN department.  

Desired Qualifications

Desired qualifications: Demonstrated excellence in research and teaching in community or clinical nutrition. Highly qualified candidates will also have post-doctoral experience and a record of funding from national and/or international agencies. Experience in developing interdisciplinary collaborations and stakeholder engagement is also desired. 

Required Application Materials

For consideration, upload the following required documents: a) letter of interest that includes  qualifications for the position (2-page maximum); b) a statement of research plans (3-page maximum); c) a statement of teaching philosophy (2-page maximum); d) current curriculum vitae; e) a description of how you will contribute to our diversity, equity and inclusion goals (2-page maximum); and f) contact information for three professional references. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Special Instructions

The search committee will begin reviewing applications on January 13, 2025 and continue until a suitable candidate is selected.

Questions regarding this position can be addressed to the Search Committee Chair: Dr. Robin Tucker, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA, tucker98@msu.edu . 

Review of Applications Begins On

01/13/2025

Remote Work Statement

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.

Website

https://www.canr.msu.edu/fshn/

Department Statement

The Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition is home to three undergraduate majors (Dietetics, Food Science, and Nutritional Sciences) and three graduate programs (Food Science, Human Nutrition, and a combined Master of Science in Human Nutrition and Dietetics/ Dietetic Internship program). The department has strong programs in food and health and is committed to linking food, the environment, and human health. Its highly collaborative and productive faculty provide an incredibly positive environment for professional growth and program expansion.

Location: The position will be based at Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI, USA. Michigan State University (MSU) is one of the top research universities in the world and home to nationally ranked and recognized academic, residential college, and service-learning programs. MSU is a diverse community of dedicated students and scholars, athletes and artists, and scientists that provide regional, national, and international leadership in basic and applied research and excellence in teaching. In addition, consistent with its Land Grant origins, the MSU community pursues international engagement and provides strong extension programs that partner with diverse stakeholders to provide much needed research in the areas of food, energy, water and the environment. MSU enjoys a park‐like campus with outlying research facilities and natural areas. The campus is located in the city of East Lansing, adjacent to the capital city of Lansing. The Lansing metropolitan area has a diverse population of >500,000. Local communities have excellent school systems and place a high value on education. The University is proactive about its obligations under the ADA and provides individual accessibility plans to students and employees with disabilities. Michigan State University is also proactive in exploring opportunities for employment for dual career families, both inside and outside the University, and respects all family forms. Information about MSU’s dual career support and other types of support for balancing work and personal lives at MSU can be found at http://worklife.msu.edu/

Commitment to Creating a Sense of Belonging:

Michigan State University occupies the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary Lands of the Anishinaabeg – Three Fires Confederacy of Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi people. The University resides on Land ceded in the 1819 Treaty of Saginaw.

The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University is committed to achieving excellence by creating and sustaining an accessible and inclusive culture that values cultural and academic diversity. We are an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer. The CANR is particularly interested in candidates of all backgrounds who are committed to the principle that academic excellence is achieved through open access and proactive inclusion.  Candidates are invited to view the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition norms at https://www.canr.msu.edu/fshn/Diversity_Equity_Inclusion/ .

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.