The Department of Animal Sciences and Industry (ASI) at Kansas State University invites applications for a 12-month tenure-track faculty position in Dairy Foods Processing at the academic rank of assistant or associate professor (commensurate with qualifications) with 37.5% Teaching, 57.5% Research and 5% Service responsibilities. This position will provide leadership in the department’s rapidly expanding dairy foods processing research, education and outreach efforts and strengthen our capabilities and visibility in innovative manufacturing technologies across the food system. Kansas is one of the fastest growing dairy states in America, both in terms of dairy cattle numbers and farms, and key dairy products and ingredient manufacturers also call Kansas their home. We are looking for candidates who have experience in traditional dairy foods processing, with interest in applying innovative manufacturing technologies to dairy-based foods and ingredients. Kansas State University provides a strong interdisciplinary environment for research, teaching, outreach, and industry engagement. The successful candidate will contribute to the university's broader capabilities in animal agriculture, dairy science, food systems, bioscience, engineering, and advanced manufacturing. The renovated dairy processing plant, including its newly developed R&D space, provides an important foundation for developing a modern dairy processing research and education program. The successful candidate will be expected to think beyond traditional dairy processing and position the facility and dairy science program as a solid platform for next-generation dairy manufacturing, innovation, workforce development, and industry collaboration.
About This Role
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.
- Contribute to departmental, college and university initiatives for experiential learning, industry engagement, student internships, and workforce development.
Service – 5%
Faculty in ASI have the opportunity, and are expected, to engage in activities that support the department, college, university and professional entities. Examples of such activities include serving on committees, participating in university governing bodies, organizing events, engaging with student clubs and competition teams, overseeing departmental research or livestock units, serving as an officer in a professional organization, etc.
About Us
The Department of Animal Sciences and Industry (ASI) serves students, livestock producers and the animal and food industries through teaching, research and education. The Dept. of ASI prepares student for careers in the animal and food industries.
The curriculum includes the study of nutrition, reproduction, genetics, behavior, meat science and food sciences with production, management, and agribusiness skills. Students are given sound professional and scientific skills, a broad education and experience for contributing to our communities across the nation and abroad. Students receive excellent advisement and mentorship from faculty and professional staff and participate in extracurricular activities to develop skills to become industry leaders.
Worksite Description
This position is On-site.
All employees must reside in the United States when they begin working to comply with state law. K-State is unable to provide remote or hybrid work opportunities for residents of the state of Idaho.
What You'll Need to Succeed
Minimum Qualifications:
- An earned doctorate in dairy science, food science, animal science, food engineering, agricultural engineering, biomanufacturing, or a closely related discipline at the time of appointment.
- Demonstrated expertise in dairy foods and/or dairy ingredient processing.
- Evidence of scholarly productivity appropriate to career stage.
- Demonstrated ability or evidence of potential to teach and mentor students effectively in modern instructional environments.
The degree requirement is necessary for accreditation purposes and to ensure candidates possess the specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities that can only be attained through a formal educational program at this level.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Hands-on work experience in pilot-scale and/or commercial-scale dairy processing facilities.
- Familiarity with traditional and emerging/innovative dairy manufacturing technologies.
- Working knowledge of automated processing systems, process control, sensors, data analytics, artificial intelligence, and other advanced manufacturing technologies.
- A record of successful external funding or demonstrated success in developing industry-supported research.
- Ability to work effectively as a team member in multidisciplinary and industry-partnered research environments.
- Experience teaching online courses.
- History of working collaboratively with dairy processors, food manufacturers, equipment manufacturers, and/or technology companies.
- Experience with technology transfer, intellectual property and commercialization.
- Strong writing, communication and interpersonal skills.
- Knowledge of and commitment to the land-grant university mission and the K-State Next-Gen Strategic Plan.
Sponsorship eligibility:
This position is eligible for sponsorship
How to Apply
Please submit the following documents:
Applicants should complete the application process through K-State’s PageUp recruiting system at https://careers.k-state.edu/ and upload the following (Note – it is important that you address all minimum requirements for the position within your submitted application materials):
- Letter of interest to include an explanation of how your qualifications and professional interests align with the position
- Curriculum vitae
- One-page statement of five-year research goals and plans
- One-page statement of teaching philosophy and your approach to effective dairy processing instruction at the undergraduate and graduate levels
- Copies of unofficial academic transcripts
- Names and verified contact information for three professional references
Application Window
Applications close on: October 31, 2026
Anticipated Hiring Pay Range
$108,000 - $125,000