Position Description

The Department of Animal and Food Sciences in the Davis College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at Texas Tech University invites applications for a full-time, 9-month, tenure-track or tenured Associate Professor of Molecular Food Safety, beginning September 1, 2026. Effort allocation and expectation for this position is 70% research and 30% teaching.

Texas Tech University is a comprehensive public research institution with more than 40,000 students. The Department of Animal and Food Sciences (AFS) and the International Center for Food Industry Excellence (ICFIE) are internationally recognized for excellence in food safety, food microbiology, and meat science. This position represents a strategic investment in molecular food safety research and teaching that supports TTU’s leadership in sustainable food systems, One Health, and industry collaboration.

The successful candidate will develop a nationally recognized, externally funded program in molecular food safety focused on the detection, characterization, and control of foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, and E. coli (STECs). Responsibilities include teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in food microbiology, food safety, and molecular methods; mentoring students; and collaborating with industry, government, and academic partners to translate research into practical solutions that enhance food safety and workforce readiness.

The Department of Animal and Food Sciences is home to more than 1,400 students and 30 faculty engaged in teaching, research, and outreach across animal and food systems. ICFIE integrates research, education, and industry partnerships to advance food safety, sustainability, and public health through applied science and workforce development.

About the University

Established in 1923, Texas Tech University is a Carnegie R1 (very high research activity) Doctoral/Research-Extensive, Hispanic Serving, and state-assisted institution. Located on a beautiful 1,850-acre campus in Lubbock, a city in West Texas with a growing metropolitan-area population of over 300,000, the university enrolls over 40,000 students with 33,000 undergraduate and 7,000 graduate students. As the primary research institution in the western two-thirds of the state, Texas Tech University is home to 10 colleges, the Schools of Law and Veterinary Medicine, and the Graduate School. The flagship of the Texas Tech University System, Texas Tech is dedicated to student success by preparing learners to be ethical leaders for a diverse and globally competitive workforce. It is committed to enhancing the cultural and economic development of the state, nation, and world.
About Lubbock:Referred to as the “Hub City” because it serves as the educational, cultural, economic, and health care hub of the South Plains region, Lubbock boasts a diverse population and a strong connection to community, history, and land. With a mild climate, highly rated public schools, and a low cost of living, Lubbock is a family-friendly community that is ranked as one of the best places to live in Texas. Lubbock is home to a celebrated and ever-evolving music scene, a vibrant arts community, and is within driving distance of Dallas, Austin, Santa Fe, and other major metropolitan cities. Lubbock’s Convention & Visitors Bureau provides a comprehensive overview of the Lubbock community and its resources, programs, events, and histories.

About the College

The Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources includes the departments of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Agricultural Education and Communications, Animal and Food Sciences, Landscape Architecture, Plant and Soil Science, and Veterinary Sciences, along with multiple research centers and institutes. The College houses eight major research centers and institutes: the Center for Agriscience Communications, Davis College Water Center, Fiber and Biopolymer Research Institute, Institute for Genomics of Crop Abiotic Stress Tolerance, International Center for Agricultural Competitiveness, International Center for Food Industry Excellence, Texas Cooperative Research Unit, and the Thornton Agricultural Finance Institute.

Davis College enrolls more than 2,700 undergraduate students and more than 500 graduate students. The College sustains approximately 110 tenure-track faculty, 40 non-tenure-track faculty, and more than 165 support staff. Faculty across Davis College generated approximately $17.3 million in federal and private funding to support the research, teaching, and outreach and engagement missions.

Davis College is currently engaged in The Pursuit of PRIME campaign, which is dedicated to shaping the future of agriculture, natural resources, and managed landscapes. The College prepares the next generation of leaders to address major challenges and build a brighter future through investments in advanced facilities, innovative research, and hands-on education. Rooted in Texas Tech’s spirit of resilience and excellence, this commitment extends beyond the classroom to strengthen communities and inspire prosperity for generations to come.

About the Department/School/Area

The Department of Animal and Food Sciences at Texas Tech University prepares ethical leaders and advances innovation in animal agriculture, food systems, equine, and companion animal science. Guided by our values of accountability, community, excellence, grit, and integrity, we pursue impactful teaching, research, and outreach that improve animal lives, strengthen resilient food systems, and enhance human–animal connections.
The department is home to approximately 30 faculty, many of whom are nationally and internationally recognized leaders in their fields and serve more than 1,450 undergraduate and graduate students. Student growth has crested at historic levels, while research productivity and external engagement continue to expand at an unprecedented pace. Areas of research strength include meat science and muscle biology, food science and safety, animal nutrition, health and welfare, equine science, and companion animal studies. Faculty and students benefit from modern teaching and research facilities as well as specialized units such as the Equestrian Center, Equine Therapeutic Riding Center, Grantham Companion Animal Research Facility, and the New Deal Agricultural Field Laboratory. Together, these resources support a vibrant and expanding community dedicated to discovery, collaboration, and the enduring spirit of West Texas.

The International Center for Food Industry Excellence (ICFIE) provides innovation, research, and technology transfer across the four pillars of food security. The Center is home to prestigious faculty members who provide collaborative expert resources in Food Access, Availability, Stability and Utilization both domestically and internationally. They are working to address the need of feeding a growing worldwide population in a climate of shrinking resources, political unrest and increasing input costs. Through research, education and outreach, they will identify and implement the methods that will allow us to feed the world, now and in the future.

Major/Essential Functions

Research and Scholarship

• Lead an externally funded, nationally recognized research program in molecular food safety, emphasizing pathogens such as Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, and Shiga toxin–producing E. coli (STECs).
• Apply advanced molecular and genomic techniques (PCR, RT-PCR, next-generation sequencing, metagenomics, serotyping) to detect, characterize, and quantify foodborne pathogens in food and food-animal systems.
• Investigate pathogen adaptation, persistence, and evolution within food production environments to inform prevention and control strategies.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary research teams addressing microbial risks across the food system and publish results in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals.
• Secure competitive extramural funding from federal (USDA, NIH, NSF, DoD), state, and industry sources.

Teaching and Mentorship

• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in food safety, microbiology, or molecular methods within the core curriculum.
• Develop innovative instructional materials and experiential learning opportunities integrating current molecular and genomic approaches.
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate students, serve as a major advisor, and supervise postdoctoral researchers as appropriate.

Outreach and Service

• Engage with the food industry, government agencies (USDA, FDA, FSIS), and professional organizations to translate research findings into applied solutions.
• Provide technical expertise and training to industry and regulatory partners in molecular food safety applications.
• Contribute to departmental, college, and university committees and professional societies to enhance TTU’s national and international visibility.

Organization

Texas Tech University

Faculty Qualifications

• Education: Ph.D. in Animal Science, Food Science, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biological Sciences, or a closely related field.
• Research Leadership: A nationally recognized research program in molecular food safety, supported by sustained extramural funding.
• Research Productivity: Demonstrated record of high-quality peer-reviewed publications and measurable research impact.
• Teaching Experience: Documented success in teaching undergraduate and/or graduate courses in food microbiology, food safety, or related disciplines.
• Industry Engagement: Proven experience collaborating with the food industry on applied or translational research addressing microbial food safety.
• Service and Mentorship: Evidence of mentoring graduate students and providing service to the university, profession, and food safety community.

Preferred Qualifications

In addition to the required qualifications, individuals with the following preferred qualifications are strongly encouraged to apply:

• Demonstrated success leading large, collaborative, and interdisciplinary research initiatives.
• Expertise in microbiome analysis, metagenomics, or bioinformatics relevant to pathogen ecology in food systems.
• Evidence of securing federal research grants (e.g., USDA-NIFA, NIH, NSF) and sustained funding partnerships with industry.
• Experience developing new curricula or experiential learning programs in molecular food safety or applied microbiology.
• Established record of mentoring postdoctoral scholars and graduate students to professional and academic placement.
• Commitment to fostering robust interdisciplinary collaboration in research and teaching.

TTU Lubbock, main campus and affiliated facilities

Safety Information

Adherence to robust safety practices and compliance with all applicable health and safety regulations are responsibilities of all TTU employees.

Does this position work in a research laboratory?

No

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please include the following documents in your application:

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Research and Teaching Statements
• Copy of post-baccalaureate degree transcripts
• List of references

Questions about this position should be directed to Dr. Alejandro Echeverry, Search Committee Chair, at alejandro.echeverry@ttu.edu.

Job Type : Full Time

Pay Basis: Monthly

Pay Statement: Compensation is commensurate upon the qualifications of the individual selected and budgetary guidelines of the hiring department, as well as the institutional pay plan.

Travel Required: Up to 25%

Grant Funded?: No

Job Group: Associate Professor

EEO Statement: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or status as a protected veteran.

Salary Grade: 800

Apply here: https://lnkd.in/ggAeSxPe

Applications must be received by: 01/23/2026   Correction: 01/30/2026