Research Assistant in Chemistry (Purdue University)

Job Description Req Id: 35029 Job Title: Research Assistant Professor in Carbohydrate Chemistry City: West Lafayette Job Description: Position Description Research Assistant Professor in Carbohydrate Chemistry (9-month, Non-Tenure Track) The Department of Food Science at Purdue University is seeking a non-tenure track College Research Assistant Professor in Carbohydrate Chemistry. This is a 9-month appointment that involves actively engaging with food industry stakeholders, leading the analytical services program at the Whistler Center for Carbohydrate Research, and developing a research program connecting complex carbohydrate structural analysis with application. The successful candidate will become an integral member of the Whistler Center and the Department of Food Science, contributing to Purdue’s strong legacy in carbohydrate chemistry research and industry collaboration. Qualifications Candidates must hold a Ph.D. in Food Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related field, with a focus on carbohydrate chemistry (must be satisfied by the start of the appointment). The ideal candidate will have at least 1-2 years of experience with carbohydrate analytical techniques, including Gas Chromatography (GC), Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), 2D NMR, High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), and metabolic profiling. Proficiency in advanced methods for carbohydrate characterization, such as Mass Spectrometry (MS) for oligosaccharides and polysaccharides, linkage analysis, substitution patterns, and molecular weight determination, is preferred. Candidates should demonstrate expertise in both qualitative and quantitative carbohydrate analysis, particularly within complex food matrices. The successful candidate will preferably have experience engaging industry stakeholders through collaborative research and contract work. Prior experience managing an analytical services program or conducting industry-relevant research is highly desirable. Responsibilities • Lead research programs in carbohydrate chemistry with a focus on applied research relevant to food industry stakeholders. • Conduct investigations into the structure, function, and applications of carbohydrates in food systems and other industries. • Manage and oversee the analytical services program at the Whistler Center for Carbohydrate Research, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, industry-aligned services. • Develop research projects that address key challenges in carbohydrate chemistry, including structure-function relationships, molecular weight analysis, and substitution patterns and their application to practical problems related to physical functionality, industrial uses, or health. • Collaborate with faculty, staff, and students within the Department of Food Science and across Purdue University to support multidisciplinary research efforts. • Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present results at national and international conferences. • Secure external funding through grants and industry partnerships to support ongoing research initiatives. • Regularly engage with food industry stakeholders to ensure that research is aligned with industry needs and challenges. • Organize and lead workshops, seminars, and industry-specific training sessions to disseminate research findings and best practices in carbohydrate chemistry. • Maintain ongoing communication with stakeholders to foster collaborations and gather feedback on research priorities. • Pursue and manage external funding opportunities through industry contracts, grants, and partnerships. • Represent the Whistler Center at industry meetings and conferences to promote research capabilities and develop new collaborations. Location Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, with a potential hybrid option. Appointment and Salary This is a 9-month non-tenure track position with a focus on research. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. Opportunities for promotion within the research faculty are available, and more information can be found in the Procedures for Research Faculty Appointment, Review, and Promotion linked here: Office of the Provost - Purdue University https://www.purdue.edu/provost/policies/promotion-research.html. The Department is an integral part of the College of Agriculture, one of the world’s leading colleges of agricultural, food, life, and natural resource sciences and ranked fifth in the world in the 2024 QS World University Rankings. The College is deeply committed to the three land-grant missions (teaching, research, and extension), to international activities and perspectives that span all missions, and to excellence in all we do. The College of Agriculture and the Department of Food Science are committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. Our leadership, faculty, staff, and students are engaged in many efforts that are consistent with this commitment. The College has 11 academic departments, 306 faculty, 2984 undergraduate students, and 690 graduate students. The College’s current strategic plan can be accessed at https://ag.purdue.edu/about/strategic-plan.html. Application All materials must be combined into one PDF and submitted electronically. Candidates should submit application materials electronically at https://careers.purdue.edu. We will begin reviewing applications on February 1, 2025. Application materials must include: 1. Cover letter that speaks to the candidate’s qualifications for and interests in the position as described herein with contact information. 2. Curriculum Vitae 3. A list of three professional references with contact information. Screening of applicants will begin on February 1, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled. For additional information, contact Cory Brenner at cdbrenner@purdue.edu. A background check is required for employment in this position. Purdue University is an EOE/AA employer. All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. FLSA Status Exempt Posting Start Date: 12/6/24 If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Academicoxy

Job Description

Req Id: 35029

Job Title: Research Assistant Professor in Carbohydrate Chemistry

City: West Lafayette

Job Description:

Position Description

Research Assistant Professor in Carbohydrate Chemistry (9-month, Non-Tenure Track)

The Department of Food Science at Purdue University is seeking a non-tenure track College Research Assistant Professor in Carbohydrate Chemistry. This is a 9-month appointment that involves actively engaging with food industry stakeholders, leading the analytical services program at the Whistler Center for Carbohydrate Research, and developing a research program connecting complex carbohydrate structural analysis with application. The successful candidate will become an integral member of the Whistler Center and the Department of Food Science, contributing to Purdue’s strong legacy in carbohydrate chemistry research and industry collaboration.

Qualifications

Candidates must hold a Ph.D. in Food Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related field, with a focus on carbohydrate chemistry (must be satisfied by the start of the appointment). The ideal candidate will have at least 1-2 years of experience with carbohydrate analytical techniques, including Gas Chromatography (GC), Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), 2D NMR, High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), and metabolic profiling. Proficiency in advanced methods for carbohydrate characterization, such as Mass Spectrometry (MS) for oligosaccharides and polysaccharides, linkage analysis, substitution patterns, and molecular weight determination, is preferred.

Candidates should demonstrate expertise in both qualitative and quantitative carbohydrate analysis, particularly within complex food matrices. The successful candidate will preferably have experience engaging industry stakeholders through collaborative research and contract work. Prior experience managing an analytical services program or conducting industry-relevant research is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

•    Lead research programs in carbohydrate chemistry with a focus on applied research relevant to food industry stakeholders.
•    Conduct investigations into the structure, function, and applications of carbohydrates in food systems and other industries.
•    Manage and oversee the analytical services program at the Whistler Center for Carbohydrate Research, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, industry-aligned services.
•    Develop research projects that address key challenges in carbohydrate chemistry, including structure-function relationships, molecular weight analysis, and substitution patterns and their application to practical problems related to physical functionality, industrial uses, or health.
•    Collaborate with faculty, staff, and students within the Department of Food Science and across Purdue University to support multidisciplinary research efforts.
•    Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present results at national and international conferences.
•    Secure external funding through grants and industry partnerships to support ongoing research initiatives.
•    Regularly engage with food industry stakeholders to ensure that research is aligned with industry needs and challenges.
•    Organize and lead workshops, seminars, and industry-specific training sessions to disseminate research findings and best practices in carbohydrate chemistry.
•    Maintain ongoing communication with stakeholders to foster collaborations and gather feedback on research priorities.
•    Pursue and manage external funding opportunities through industry contracts, grants, and partnerships.
•    Represent the Whistler Center at industry meetings and conferences to promote research capabilities and develop new collaborations.

Location

Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, with a potential hybrid option.

Appointment and Salary

This is a 9-month non-tenure track position with a focus on research. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. Opportunities for promotion within the research faculty are available, and more information can be found in the Procedures for Research Faculty Appointment, Review, and Promotion linked here: Office of the Provost - Purdue University https://www.purdue.edu/provost/policies/promotion-research.html.

The Department is an integral part of the College of Agriculture, one of the world’s leading colleges of agricultural, food, life, and natural resource sciences and ranked fifth in the world in the 2024 QS World University Rankings. The College is deeply committed to the three land-grant missions (teaching, research, and extension), to international activities and perspectives that span all missions, and to excellence in all we do. The College of Agriculture and the Department of Food Science are committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. Our leadership, faculty, staff, and students are engaged in many efforts that are consistent with this commitment. The College has 11 academic departments, 306 faculty, 2984 undergraduate students, and 690 graduate students. The College’s current strategic plan can be accessed at https://ag.purdue.edu/about/strategic-plan.html.

Application

All materials must be combined into one PDF and submitted electronically. Candidates should submit application materials electronically at https://careers.purdue.edu. We will begin reviewing applications on February 1, 2025.

Application materials must include:
1.    Cover letter that speaks to the candidate’s qualifications for and interests in the position as described herein with contact information.
2.    Curriculum Vitae
3.    A list of three professional references with contact information.

Screening of applicants will begin on February 1, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled. For additional information, contact Cory Brenner at cdbrenner@purdue.edu. A background check is required for employment in this position.

Purdue University is an EOE/AA employer. All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.