Term Research Assistant Professor - Food Safety & Food Product Development

The University of Alaska Fairbanks is seeking a dedicated individual to join our team in improving Alaska’s food security through research and community programming and outreach. This position focuses on food safety, food preservation, and food product development and community needs in family and consumer science topic areas. The ideal candidate will have expertise in Alaska's wild, commercially harvested, and cultivated foods, and will be able to collaborate with food safety agencies and other university faculty to assess and address needs in food preservation, storage, safety, and product development. If you have a passion for food security and the knowledge to drive impactful change, we encourage you to apply!

This position will work with UAF’s Institute of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Extension and partner faculty and the public, including industry. The primary duties of this position include identifying needs and collaborating with other faculty, agencies and the public to improve Alaska food security. Staff and faculty in these programs take seriously our mission of working to improve Alaskans’ lives through our research and expertise and programming and measure what we do through this lens.

Are you a self-directed person who enjoys finding ways to build healthy communities? UAF is seeking a highly collaborative, motivated, and technically skilled individual with a strong commitment to public service - a self-starter who is equally comfortable conducting research (food science/safety/product development) and engaging directly with diverse communities across Alaska to deliver practical, impactful educational programs. The successful candidate must be flexible and possess excellent leadership and communication skills to juggle multiple projects, secure grant funding, and effectively bridge the gap between academic research and Alaska’s urban, rural and remote community needs

Minimum Qualifications:

Ph.D. in Food Science, Food Technology or Microbiology (with specialization in food product development).
OR
M.S. Food Science, Food Technology or Microbiology (with specialization in food product development) with 3 years experience in an academic research environment.
OR
M.S. Degree in Family and Consumer Sciences or related field with significant experience or course work in food science and food safety.

Position Details:

This position is located on the Troth Yeddha' campus in Fairbanks, Alaska.  This is a full-time, term-funded, exempt faculty position complete with both a competitive salary and  full employee benefits package . UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage. Salary is negotiable based on education and experience.

The ability to obtain an Alaska Driver's License and clean driving record in compliance with UA Safe Driving Criteria.

Applications will be accepted for review on February 2, 2026, to ensure consideration, please apply by 11:55 PM, Alaska Standard Time on DAY BEFORE REVIEW DATE February 1, 2026. 

Submission of an application does not guarantee review or a job offer.

☎️If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Kenna Metivier, Signers' Business Office at View email address on careers.alaska.edu or View phone number on careers.alaska.edu

*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction.  Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

This position is represented by United Academics (UNAC).

This position is term-funded and is reviewed annually for contract renewal at the University's discretion.

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact UA Human Resources by phone at View phone number on careers.alaska.edu.

The  University of Alaska () is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution.  The University is committed to a  policy of non-discrimination () against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.

* Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus.  The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.  

Access to the reports is available at:

UAA : (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online:  . Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: View phone number on careers.alaska.edu or  View email address on careers.alaska.edu / View phone number on careers.alaska.edu or  View email address on careers.alaska.edu . 

UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online:  . Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: View phone number on careers.alaska.edu or  View email address on careers.alaska.edu .

UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online:  . Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: View phone number on careers.alaska.edu or emailing  View email address on careers.alaska.edu .