Researcher 5 - Food Sci & Nutr

Senior researcher in Food Safety and Applied Risk Analysis at the Center for Animal Health and Food Safety (CAHFS). CAHFS serves as the veterinary public health service unit for the College of Veterinary Medicine and has been designated as a reference center by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and a collaborating center by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).

The successful candidate will contribute to research, training, and outreach activities focused on food safety, risk analysis, and risk-based inspection systems, decision support, and evidence-based policy development. The position will support domestic and international initiatives aimed at strengthening food safety systems, improving risk-informed decision-making, and enhancing public health outcomes through interdisciplinary collaboration.

Job Responsibilities

40%- Technical Programming

• Serve as the principal technical resource on food safety risk assessment, risk management, surveillance design, prioritization methodologies, and regulatory frameworks supporting international trade.

• Design and apply quantitative and qualitative risk analysis methods to inform surveillance strategies, resource allocation, and food safety program priorities. Provide direct, hands-on technical assistance to national and international counterparts - including veterinary services, food safety authorities, and regulatory agencies, in strengthening laboratory, surveillance, and inspection systems.

• Support the integration of international standards and best practices (e.g., Codex Alimentarius, WOAH, SPS Agreement provisions) into project design and technical assistance activities related to food safety systems, veterinary public health, and international trade.

• Serve as a subject-matter expert and technical liaison in consultations, working groups, and advisory panels, representing CAHFS in technical discussions with domestic and international partners, and mentoring junior staff and trainees in applied risk analysis methods.

30%- International Outreach and Capacity Building

• Lead the design, implementation, and evaluation of domestic and international outreach programs focused on food safety, applied risk analysis, and evidence-based decision-making.

• Develop and deliver training programs, workshops, professional development activities, and technical assistance initiatives for veterinary services, food safety authorities, public health agencies, academic institutions, and industry stakeholders.

• Facilitate stakeholder engagement and collaboration across governmental, academic, private-sector, and international organizations to strengthen food safety systems and support the adoption of risk-based approaches to surveillance, prevention, and control.

30%- Program Development and Management

• Provide leadership in the planning, coordination, implementation, and monitoring of projects related to food safety, international trade, risk analysis, and veterinary public health.

• Coordinate activities among project partners, consultants, and collaborating institutions while ensuring timely delivery of project objectives, reporting requirements, and contractual obligations.

• Identify opportunities for new partnerships and contribute to the development of proposals and funding opportunities that support the mission of CAHFS.

Location and Work Environment

• Hybrid

• Location on campus: ABLMS 136 C, 2 days in the office.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree or higher in Public Health, Food Safety, Risk Analysis, Food Systems, Public Policy, or a related field.
• Minimum of five years of professional experience in food safety, public health, risk analysis, regulatory affairs, international development, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience designing, delivering, and evaluating professional training and capacity-building programs for governmental agencies, academic institutions, industry stakeholders, or international organizations.
• Demonstrated experience working on international projects involving multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
• Professional proficiency in both English and Spanish, including the ability to develop technical materials and facilitate training activities in both languages.
• Strong understanding of regulatory frameworks supporting international trade, including the application of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures, risk analysis principles, and international standards developed by organizations such as World Trade Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization, World Organisation for Animal Health, and Codex Alimentarius Commission.
• Demonstrated experience in project management, stakeholder engagement, technical writing, and proposal development.
• Strong organizational, analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• A PhD in a related field or extensive academic experience.
• Experience conducting food safety risk assessments aligned with international frameworks such as Codex Alimentarius, WOAH, FAO, or WTO-SPS standards.
• Experience in quantitative risk modeling, economic analysis, decision analysis, or systems-based approaches.
• Experience working with national veterinary services, public health agencies, food industry stakeholders, or international organizations.
• Demonstrated success in securing external funding and publishing peer-reviewed research.

Physical Requirements

• This position requires the ability to perform standard office duties, including extended periods of computer work, reading and reviewing documents, and verbal and written communication.

• The position may require international and domestic travel.

Established in 2001 as part of the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, the Center for Animal Health and Food Safety (CAHFS) builds veterinary public health capacity to protect people from animal diseases and food-borne illnesses. CAHFS has been designated as a reference center by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and a collaborating center by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) for capacity-building of veterinary services. Through research, training, and outreach, CAHFS partners with veterinary services, public health agencies, and academic and industry stakeholders in over 20 countries to strengthen food safety systems and risk-based decision-making worldwide.

Pay Range: $75,472.22 - $88,236.00 annually; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 75% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the
time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures
that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while
maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and
equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates
will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

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