Job Details

Central to the goals of the Department of Animal Sciences is development of key research areas in The New Jersey Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health that will support our mission to “improve animal, human, and environmental health.” There is a clear scientific gap in understanding how human and animal physiology is altered by the gut microbiome. Alterations in gut-brain health driven by the microbiome may contribute to the underlying pathology of endocrine-related diseases including obesity, diabetes, and cancer. This tenure-track faculty hire will complement existing expertise in neuroendocrinology, physiology, and microbiome-related research at SEBS by including research with host animal species. Faculty hiring in this area should fill the current gastrointestinal physiology expertise gap we have and enhance collaboration within the cluster and with the Rutgers University Microbiome Program, Rutgers Brain Health Institute, and Rutgers RWJ Medical School. This faculty hire will be expected to teach courses in the Animal Sciences undergraduate curriculum and Endocrinology and Animal Biosciences focused on integrative and gut-brain physiology. Metabolic Health Cluster Hire: The School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (SEBS) and the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES) at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is leading the way to achieve a healthy and sustainable future. We do this through a rich tradition in research, education, entrepreneurship, outreach, and engagement. Our hiring initiative in Metabolic Health integrates the molecular and physiological underpinnings and environmental influences that impact the sustainable wellbeing of humans, animals, and ecosystems. Metabolic Health is essential to solving many challenges which affect the future of life on Earth. We seek to hire an interdisciplinary cluster of four tenure-track faculty colleagues whose scholarly interests and goals fit within the SEBS core areas of strength which span from microorganisms to ecosystems. Successful applicants will prioritize and align with SEBS values of inclusivity, interdisciplinary excellence and scholarly relevance leading to innovative research programs, student success, and community engagement. See: https://sebs.rutgers.edu/strategic-plan/core-areas.php Faculty hires will affiliate with one of several academic departments: Animal Sciences, Biochemistry and Microbiology, Food Science, and Nutritional Sciences. Specific research areas are shown below, though any area related to metabolic health will be considered. • Gastrointestinal physiology • Microbial metabolism • Bio-functional food processing • Nutrition and metabolic health Tenure-track nine-month academic appointments are at the Assistant Professor level. Successful applicants will be competitive for external funding opportunities with the potential to establish an integrated research program and must be committed to teaching core and elective courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels and to mentoring research students at all degree levels. Rutgers and SEBS are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion (https://diversity.rutgers.edu). One of our main priorities is to diversify our faculty ranks as outlined in the SEBS/NJAES DEI strategic plan to ensure our faculty composition reflects the diversity of our state and student population. We especially encourage applications from backgrounds underrepresented in the sciences including Black, Latine, Indigenous, and LGBTQ+ scientists. The School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (SEBS) powers the university's robust exploration of sciences. From microorganisms to a changing climate, the land, air and ocean, nutrition and food sciences, animals, and plants. SEBS-NJAES continues to successfully serve the increasingly diverse population of New Jersey by integrating basic and applied research with education, outreach, and engagement to achieve community-serving outcomes. The New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition, and Health (IFNH) plays a central role in these efforts, building on Rutgers' extensive and pioneering work in the fields of agriculture, food science, nutritional science, and human and animal health. IFNH underscores the commitment of Rutgers University to new transformational initiatives across the many disciplines impacting food, nutrition, and health. The institute embraces a culture of interdisciplinarity that seeks solutions to our health problems in the social as well as the biological determinants of health. IFNH oversees a spectrum of translational activity ranging from basic research to community outreach. The breadth of its activities is reflected in the diversity of its research centers, thematic programs, and student services. As one of its top program priorities, the institute focuses on ways to stem the epidemic rise in childhood obesity and obesity-related disorders such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. To apply, visit: https://jobs.rutgers.edu/postings/212719 Applications submitted before January 2, 2024, will receive full consideration, with review continuing until the positions are filled. Applicants should provide a cover letter that includes a brief summary of their academic background, why they are interested in this opportunity and contact information for three references, a curriculum vitae (CV), a statement of research interests and how they align with or complement existing research at SEBS/Rutgers (3 page maximum), a statement of teaching interests and philosophy (2 page maximum), and a statement discussing their past experiences and philosophy for promoting equity and inclusion in a diverse educational environment through research, teaching, mentoring, and service (2 page maximum). For guidance on preparing a diversity statement: https://execdeanagriculture.rutgers.edu/diversity-equity-inclusion/diversity-statement-instructions.php For additional information about the position, please contact Dr. Carol Bagnell, Search Committee Chair, cbagnell@sebs.rutgers.edu Minimum Education and Experience: A doctoral degree in the appropriate discipline combined with advanced research training and experience. Demonstrated record of scholarship. Strong written and oral presentation skills. Strong interpersonal skills and experience working in multi-disciplinary teams. Applicant Documents: Required Documents Cover Letter/Letter of Application Resume/CV List of Professional References (contact Info) Research Statement Teaching Statement Diversity Statement