Teaching Instructor/Teaching Assistant Professor, Culinary Nutrition

Teaching Instructor/Teaching Assistant Professor

Culinary Nutrition and Wellness Systems

Department of Nutritional Sciences

August 2025

POSITION: The Department of Nutritional Sciences (NSCI) in the College of Education and Human Sciences at Oklahoma State University is seeking qualified applicants for a career-track, eleven-month appointment at the rank of Teaching Instructor or Teaching Assistant Professor with expertise in Culinary Nutrition and Wellness Systems for the academic year starting on or about August 1, 2025.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Teach and mentor undergraduate and graduate students. Primary teaching contributions will be within our ACEND (The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics)-accredited dietetics programs in the areas of food science, culinary nutrition with an emphasis on quantity food planning, and preparation to meet specific nutritional requirements/guidelines for various foodservice facilities, including healthcare facilities, corporate institutions, and schools. It is expected that the department may assign additional courses as needed and appropriate for the candidate’s expertise and departmental needs.

Provide leadership and collaborate with Family and Consumer Sciences/Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, NSCI, and 4-H faculty to support Extension programming and wellness systems related to youth leadership development, culinary nutrition, and advancement of Food is Medicine programming in rural communities aimed at reducing food insecurity and risk for chronic disease.

Provide service to the department, university, community, and broader profession.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

For Teaching Instructor position, earned master’s degree in nutrition or Dietetics, Food Science, or closely related field.

For Teaching Assistant Professor position, PhD in Nutrition or Dietetics, Food Science, or closely related field.

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RD/RDN) credential. 

Evidence of professional experience in related field of expertise.

Evidence of Extension or outreach activities and ability to work with community and industry partners.

Excellent and effective communication and interpersonal skills.

The ability to be a productive team player and to interact well with colleagues, students, industry, government agencies, and the public.

Excellent written and oral communication skills, with demonstrated proficiency in the written and oral use of the English language.

Strong interest in undergraduate and graduate teaching and mentoring.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

University-level teaching experience at both the undergraduate and graduate level. 

Demonstrated experience and commitment to active learning, teaching, and the ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary setting.

Experience in working with learners and fostering a collaborative and supportive environment. 

Relevant work experience with professional capabilities and the ability to build connections with industry and foster new relationships.

SALARY AND BENEFITS: Salary will be commensurate with education, experience, qualifications and contingent on available funding. Benefits include comprehensive medical and retirement plans. Information on benefits can be found at https://hr.okstate.edu/benefits/index.html

GENERAL INFORMATION:

The Department of Nutritional Sciences (NSCI): NSCI has approximately 23 full-time faculty members, 240 undergraduate students, and 60 graduate students (Ph.D. and M.S.) who are interested in promoting the health and wellness of individuals as well as communities through the prevention and treatment of disease. Faculty in NSCI have active research programs and projects funded by state and federal entities, including NIH, USDA, and industry totaling over $4,000,000 in 2023. NSCI faculty lead research programs with shared access to large, multi-user laboratories including an approximately 3,500 sq ft cellular and molecular laboratory, 2,100 sq ft clinical and metabolic laboratory, and 650 sq ft metabolic kitchen. As an undergraduate major in Nutritional Sciences, students can declare options in Allied Health, Human Nutrition/Pre-Medical Sciences, Dietetics, and Public Health Nutrition. Working with master’s degree and doctoral students, our graduate faculty are preparing the next generation of nutritional scientists. Our dietetic interns earn master’s degrees while completing their supervised practice. Faculty members working with the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service affect the lives of Oklahomans for the better by applying research findings to real-life settings in homes, schools, and businesses. For more information, visit http://education.okstate.edu/nsci

The College of Education and Human Sciences includes 7 academic units, 172 faculty, and nearly 200 full-time staff. Additional information regarding the College of Education and Human Sciences may be found at http://education.okstate.edu/.

Oklahoma State University, an R1 comprehensive land-grant institution with an enrollment of more than 25,000 students. The university offers 87 undergraduate majors, 84 Master’s programs and 48 programs at the doctoral levels at campuses in Stillwater and Tulsa. Stillwater is a micropolitan community of approximately 49,000 people with high-quality amenities and a comparably low cost of living. Oklahoma City and Tulsa are within a 1-hour drive and cities such as Fayetteville, AR, Joplin, MO and Wichita, KS are within a comfortable 2-3-hour drive time of Stillwater. In addition to excellent healthcare, education (public and private primary and secondary schools), and recreational services, the community affords a rich variety of cultural activities typical of a major university environment, including museums, music, art, and theater. Providing a combination of larger city amenities with an airport and cultural life, while maintaining the charm of a smaller community with affordable housing and excellent schools, Stillwater is ranked one of America’s safest cities. See http://VisitStillwater.org for more information.

APPLICATION INFORMATION: Applications will be accepted online at https://jobs.okstate.edu/. Follow the online instructions and be prepared to submit the following items:

A short cover letter, a two-page vision statement for this position, including exposition of teaching philosophy and experience.

Curriculum vitae

Contact information for three (3) references

Review of applications will begin January 20, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled.

For further information or to nominate a potential candidate, contact search committee co-chairs: Edralin Lucas (edralin.a.lucas@okstate.edu), Regents Professor, and Jenni Klufa (jennifer.klufa@okstate.edu), Associate Extension Specialist.

Oklahoma State University (OSU) strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, OSU conducts pre-employment background checks on final candidates. Offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal (felony and misdemeanor) history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the university, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

Oklahoma State University, as an equal opportunity employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. Oklahoma State University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all individuals and does not discriminate based on race, religion, age, sex, color, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, or veteran status with regard to employment, educational programs and activities, and/or admissions. For more information, visit eeo.okstate.edu.

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