The encompassing theme of the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology is the study of fundamental life processes from molecules to biomes. A fundamental understanding of the combined metabolisms of microbiomes and their hosts is pivotal to meeting many of the challenges that face humanity – from human health, to agriculture, to the overall health of the biosphere. We seek a scholar in the area of microbial metabolism who will test hypotheses to elucidate the mechanistic foundations of biotic interactions. Research interests include, but are not limited to, the biochemistry of biotic interactions; the biochemical and regulatory dialog between microbiomes and their hosts; regulation of gene expression in cells or microbiomes; bacterial cell biology and physiology; the enzymological basis of metabolic pathways; or the metabolism, biochemistry, and enzymology of the transformations of natural or anthropogenic compounds. This scholar and educator will broaden our existing strength in our understanding of microbiomes and their biotic interactions. The position is central to the mission of the department and the Biochemistry and Microbiology curricula and will teach courses in general biochemistry and microbial biochemistry.

Metabolic Health Cluster Hire

The School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (SEBS) and the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES) at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is leading the way to achieve a healthy and sustainable future. We do this through a rich tradition in research, education, entrepreneurship, outreach, and engagement. Our hiring initiative in Metabolic Health integrates the molecular and physiological underpinnings and environmental influences that impact the sustainable well-being of humans, animals, and ecosystems. Metabolic Health is essential to solving many challenges which affect the future of life on Earth.

We seek to hire an interdisciplinary cluster of four tenure-track faculty colleagues whose scholarly interests and goals fit within the SEBS core areas of strength which span from microorganisms to ecosystems. Successful applicants will prioritize and align with SEBS values of inclusivity, interdisciplinary excellence and scholarly relevance leading to innovative research programs, student success, and community engagement.

See: https://sebs.rutgers.edu/strategic-plan/core-areas.php

Faculty hires will affiliate with one of several academic departments: Animal Sciences, Biochemistry and Microbiology, Food Science, and Nutritional Sciences. Specific research areas are shown below, though any area related to metabolic health will be considered.

Tenure-track nine-month academic appointments are at the Assistant Professor level. Successful applicants will be competitive for external funding opportunities with the potential to establish an integrated research program and must be committed to teaching core and elective courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels and to mentoring research students at all degree levels.

Rutgers and SEBS are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion (https://diversity.rutgers.edu). One of our main priorities is to diversify our faculty ranks as outlined in the SEBS/NJAES DEI strategic plan to ensure our faculty composition reflects the diversity of our state and student population. We especially encourage applications from backgrounds underrepresented in the sciences including Black, Latine, Indigenous, and LGBTQ+ scientists.

The School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (SEBS) powers the university's robust exploration of sciences. From microorganisms to a changing climate, the land, air and ocean, nutrition and food sciences, animals, and plants. SEBS-NJAES continues to successfully serve the increasingly diverse population of New Jersey by integrating basic and applied research with education, outreach, and engagement to achieve community-serving outcomes. The New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition, and Health (IFNH) plays a central role in these efforts, building on Rutgers' extensive and pioneering work in the fields of agriculture, food science, nutritional science, and human and animal health. IFNH underscores the commitment of Rutgers University to new transformational initiatives across the many disciplines impacting food, nutrition, and health. The institute embraces a culture of interdisciplinarity that seeks solutions to our health problems in the social as well as the biological determinants of health. IFNH oversees a spectrum of translational activity ranging from basic research to community outreach. The breadth of its activities is reflected in the diversity of its research centers, thematic programs, and student services. As one of its top program priorities, the institute focuses on ways to stem the epidemic rise in childhood obesity and obesity-related disorders such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.

Applicants are expected to have a doctoral degree in the appropriate discipline combined with advanced research training and experience. The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated record of scholarship and experience in teaching, mentoring, and advising, and experience working in multi-disciplinary teams. Strong interpersonal, written, and oral presentation skills required.