Position Overview:  The College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) and the School of Medicine (SOM) at University of Missouri – Columbia invites nominations and applications for a Professor and Division Director of Food, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences (FNES). The successful applicant will provide dynamic vision, leadership, and guidance for academic, research and Extension programs. This is a joint, 12-month position between CAFNR and the SOM with the primary appointment being in CAFNR.  

Job Responsibilities:  The successful applicant will be responsible for:

• Providing visionary leadership for the division to serve the needs of diverse faculty, staff, students and stakeholders;
• Developing and driving a shared vision and strategic plan for FNES as well as advancing the CAFNR strategic plan “Drive to Distinction” and MU strategic plan “The Flagship of the Future”.
• Stimulating and facilitating the long-term viability, efficiency, effectiveness, excellence and impact in all aspects of research, teaching, Extension and outreach, and service;
• Recruiting and retaining world-class faculty, and exceptional students and staff;
• Promoting and fostering cooperation among CAFNR, SOM and other colleges on campus;
• Fostering collegiality and a positive environment across the Division;
• Appointing and collaborating with an associate division director.
• Advocating for the division;
• Fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment;
• Mentoring faculty at different stages of their career;
• Administering the divisional budget;
• As appropriate, promoting communication of science-based findings to inform public policy and private decision makers; and,
• Supporting/leading external industry and advancement development opportunities.

Minimum Qualifications:  Ph.D. or equivalent in any of the areas of expertise in the division, or a closely aligned field.

Candidates Will be Evaluated on:

• Demonstrated capability in team building for research, teaching, and Extension and outreach;
• Demonstrated record of leadership in supporting and embracing diversity and creating an inclusive, welcoming environment;
• Demonstrated capability in personnel management, including recruitment, advancement and retention of faculty, staff and students;
• Demonstrated understanding in curricular planning and development, knowledge of accreditations;
• Demonstrated understanding of advancing research and Extension and outreach enterprises;
• Demonstrated capability in budget/fiscal management of a substantial unit such as an academic department, college or university-level center or institute;
• A record of scholarly accomplishment consistent with an advanced tenured associate professor or professor to qualify for tenure in FNES at the rank of Professor; and,
• Experience with fundraising and demonstrated capability with building and expanding partnerships with external stakeholders.

Applicants should submit the following documentation:

• Letter of interest with a vision statement for the division and description of leadership experiences and plans,
• Current curriculum vita,
• Diversity statement addressing former experience and knowledge in promoting diversity and inclusion at the University and how that commitment would add value to the Division, and
• Names and contact information of four professional references.

Specific inquiries regarding this position may be directed to Teresa Davis (davistl@missouri.edu ).

Screening will begin by November 15, 2022, but applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

About the College:  CAFNR, along with other MU collaborators, has world-class strengths in human health response to nutrition choice and physical activity, plant sciences and novel compounds, animal models for human health applications, genomics, natural resources, and food and agricultural policy. The College’s Precision Foods for Health initiative focuses on  food, nutrition, and exercise sciences expertise, to connect plant and animal agriculture  with the campus priority in precision medicine (https://precisionhealth.missouri.edu/). Through its research enterprise and existing collaborations across campus, the college is uniquely positioned to address the entire value-chain of enhancing the quality of foods including human dimensions of well-being. Food, nutrition and exercise sciences researchers study the influences of food and physical activity on human health, while food scientists safely process targeted compounds for consumers. Plant and animal biotechnologists identify metabolic pathways or genetic components of significance and seek to design plants/animals to deliver the appropriate traits. Agronomists and animal scientists will develop applications of these technologies in the context of plant and animal production. And finally, agricultural economists study how Missouri farmers and agribusinesses can effectively meet consumer needs through new crops or animal production systems..  All these functions, spanning the food system, are pursued with the extra demand of protecting and sustaining our precious natural resources.

For more information, please refer to the College’s strategic plan and biennial report at https://cafnr.missouri.edu/strategic-plan/ .

About the Division:  The newly organized FNES division, comprising the Food Science program and the Nutrition and Exercise Physiology program, contributes significantly to the health initiatives of CAFNR, SOM, and campus. Our community of MU faculty, students, postdoctoral fellows, and professionals pursue creative and transformative ideas in the field of precision health, foods for a healthy planet, and wellness choices for a healthy life. One of six divisions in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources at the University of Missouri, FNES includes degree programs preparing students for careers in dietetics, food innovation and safety, physiology, and wellness. The Extension program focuses primarily on food safety and process validation. Through our teaching, research, and Extension programs, we strive to improve the health and quality of life by developing advanced food products, improving nutrition and diet and enhancing lifestyle interventions in an integrated manner. More information about the division may be found at https://fnes.missouri.edu .

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.

This position is eligible for University benefits.  The University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts.  For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at http://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits

Diversity Commitment

The University of Missouri is fully committed to achieving  the goal of a diverse and inclusive academic community of faculty, staff and students. We seek individuals who are committed to this goal and our core campus values of respect, responsibility, discovery and excellence.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy shall not be interpreted in such a manner as to violate the legal rights of religious organizations or the recruiting rights of military organizations associated with the Armed Forces or the Department of Homeland Security of the United States of America. For more information, call the Director of Employee and Labor Relations at 573-884-2577.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.

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Columbia is consistently ranked among the top small cities to live in America.  A vibrant university town located midway between St. Louis and Kansas City, Columbia offers 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.