Research Program Assistant Jobs in Missouri (NOW HIRING)

Job Description
Position Description: The Division of Food, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences (FNES) invites applications for a tenure-track (9-month) position at the level of Assistant or Associate Professor. This unique interdisciplinary position is funded through the College of Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources (CAFNR). As the University of Missouri is an AAU Research I institution, and one of the most comprehensive universities in the nation, the hire will be expected to demonstrate a level of research scholarship commensurate with an R1, AAU flagship university. The position is offered as a nine-month position with a split appointment between teaching and research. A competitive startup package, excellent facilities, and ample opportunities for collaboration across campus and the state underscore the attractive nature of this position.
Research Responsibilities: The scholarly discipline should include the sensory sciences, with an emphasis on neurosciences or behavioral psychology. In addition, the hire's scholarship must align with the new fermentations laboratory (wine/enology program) and the meat science laboratory (Animal/Meat Science).
Potential areas of research may focus on food analyses and new product development, traditional qualitative and quantitative sensory evaluation techniques, as well as consumer testing, human feeding studies, sensory science connecting neuroscience or choice behavior, measurements of physiologic responses to food, fMRI and other imaging modalities, bioinformatics, and precision food and nutrition - all aimed at developing a robust, collaborative, externally-funded research program surrounding food, nutrition and human health. Additional areas of research interest range from ingestive behavior to the microbiome, metabolomics, and nutrigenomics, as well as the study of factors influencing satiation, meal termination, and overall food intake. The successful candidate will be expected to provide visionary leadership in food and nutrition research using cutting-edge approaches to investigate the health impacts of food components or dietary patterns from a human sensory perspective.
Teaching Responsibilities: Teaching duties are mainly in Food Science, with a focus on sensory science for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as developing new courses that bridge food science, nutrition, and/or other areas in health/biomedical sciences. The hire will implement an interdisciplinary curriculum crossing disciplines while maintaining a focus on advising and mentoring students in FNES.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications: A Ph.D. degree in food science, nutrition, or related fields by the time of application.
Candidate Evaluation: Postdoctoral or other comparable research experience with a strong publication record is required. Evaluation of candidates will be based on a strong promise to obtain and sustain a nationally-funded research program, and excellent written and verbal communication skills for effective teaching and research.
Application Materials
Screening will begin April 15, 2026, but applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Applicants should submit: a letter of interest, current curriculum vita, research statement, teaching philosophy and evaluations if any, names and contact information of three professional references, and educational transcripts via: http://hrs.missouri.edu/find-a-job/academic , Job ID 59068.
Specific inquiries regarding this position may be directed to the search committee chair, Professor Azlin Mustapha ( mustaphaa@missouri.edu ).
Other Information
University of Missouri, Columbia Campus: The University of Missouri, Columbia (Mizzou) is the flagship campus of the University of Missouri System and was established in 1839 as the first public university west of the Mississippi. Mizzou is one of the nation's top-tier Research 1 (R1) universities and a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU) . University of Missouri is a nationally competitive, global university and Missouri's largest public research university. Mizzou is one of only five universities nationwide that offers law, medicine, veterinary medicine, agriculture, engineering and a nuclear research reactor on one campus. The Division of Food, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences (FNES) at the University of Missouri, Columbia has a unique position combining the strengths of faculty and infrastructure from the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR), the School of Medicine , and the new NextGen Precision Health Institute . The candidate will play a key role in fostering research collaboration between Nutrition and Exercise Physiology and Food Science .
Columbia, Missouri: Columbia is consistently ranked among the top small cities to live in in America. A vibrant university town located midway between St. Louis and Kansas City, Columbia offers a low cost of living, is home to nationally renowned public schools, higher education, and excellent health care. University of Missouri Health Care (UMHC) is an academic health care system operated by the University of Missouri System. UMHC includes six hospitals and offers more than 50 primary and specialty clinics. Columbia has easy access to major international airports from Columbia, St. Louis and Kansas City.
Benefit Eligibility
This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits .
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer .
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