The Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University seeks candidates at any rank for two tenure-track or tenured faculty positions on the topic of equity in agriculture, food and nutrition.  One position is focused on food and nutrition equity in general, and the other is part of a university-wide cluster hire related to climate resilience, agriculture, and equity.

The Friedman School is one of the world’s leading institutions for scholarship in food and nutrition. Our mission is to create trusted science, educate future leaders, and have real impact that improves the nutritional well-being of people worldwide. The School distinguishes itself by its breadth of food and nutrition expertise, entrepreneurial spirit, and real-world translation. We bring together diverse experts who are committed to work that equitably improves the nutritional well-being of people around the globe, with a history of and commitment to multi-disciplinary research on health disparities, such as the impact of income inequality and other social determinants of health on nutrition and food security, diet-related chronic diseases, food systems, and agricultural production. Our research, teaching, and civic engagement spans U.S. and international work on child nutrition and health, nutrition assistance programs, international food aid, humanitarian crises, global dietary transitions and corresponding disease burdens, costs and access to food, and social and environmental dimensions of agriculture and food systems, among other topics.

The Friedman School’s interdisciplinary focus and integrative nature create an enriching environment at Tufts University, a “Research Class 1” university, top-25-ranked undergraduate institution, and member of the Association of American Universities. Home to seven graduate and professional schools across three campuses, Tufts University prides itself on its culture of cross-school partnerships. As part of the Tufts Health Sciences Campus, Friedman School faculty members have extensive opportunities for academic and external collaborations, as well as participation in the rich intellectual life of Boston and the wider Northeast region. The Friedman School is located in the third largest Chinatown of the U.S., surrounded by a diverse community of businesses and people, at the center of a multicultural metropolitan area offering excellent schools, extensive public transportation, world-class cultural institutions and opportunities for outdoor recreation. To complement our existing activities and expand our work, the Friedman School is recruiting two new faculty members for teaching and research.

For food and nutrition equity, the new position could address any aspect of U.S. or global food and nutrition, including systemic racism and other forms of discrimination or other social and structural causes of systemic inequities. Areas of focus could include, for example, the reach and impact of nutrition assistance programs, the measurement and alleviation of food and nutrition insecurity, food economics, markets and policy, food industry practices and regulation, the role of disordered eating and weight stigma, employment conditions and demographic change in the food sector, or global food systems. Successful candidates may work in the U.S. or other countries, and may focus on particular nutritional or health outcomes or specific qualitative and quantitative research methods, developing novel and rigorous approaches to identify, address, and eliminate systemic inequities in food and nutrition.

For climate resilience, agriculture and equity, the new position could address any aspect of U.S. or global agriculture and farm communities, focusing on the development and use of climate-resilient innovations for a more inclusive and equitable food system. This position is expected to offer a new course on climate resilience and equity in agriculture and farm communities, with attention to both the United States and our global context. Areas of focus could include, for example, climate justice, maladaptation, changes in land use and rural-urban interactions, agricultural technology and management of crops and livestock, adaptation policy and livelihood transitions in agriculture, integrated modeling of agriculture, climate and ecosystem services, or new approaches to data analysis and evaluation about populations experiencing and responding to climate change.

Qualifications

Candidates must possess a relevant doctoral degree, with a track record of applying disciplinary expertise to improving equity in agriculture, food and nutrition. We seek candidates whose work is relevant to a range of stakeholders in both public and private sectors including marginalized populations and people who are disproportionately at risk or are historically excluded from research, with public engagement in community action, advocacy or guidance of policies and programs.

Successful candidates for the food and nutrition equity position may have a background in the health sciences (e.g., nutrition or public health, medicine, epidemiology, clinical psychology), social sciences (e.g., sociology, economics, political science, social psychology), or related professions (e.g., public policy, business, law). For climate resilience, agriculture and equity, successful candidates may have a background in agriculture (including agricultural economics and other approaches to modeling crop, livestock and food systems) or climate and the environment (including environmental sciences, climate change modeling and data analysis). 

Successful candidates for both positions should have a record of independent research and publications and bring or demonstrate promise to develop a vigorous externally funded research program. Candidates will be expected to teach 2-3 graduate level courses per year, advise and mentor diverse students at the masters and doctoral levels, and engage in university and professional service. These are full-time, tenure-track or tenured, 12-month positions for work both in-person and online; successful candidates would be welcome to propose a hybrid schedule that works for them. The starting date is negotiable. Salary, start-up package and benefits are highly competitive and will be commensurate with the successful candidate’s experience.

Application Instructions

Questions about the position should be addressed to Professor William Masters, search committee chair, by email at william.masters@tufts.edu. Candidates should submit their application indicating which position is of interest, including a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a statement of professional objectives, and contact information for three references at http://apply.interfolio.com/134783. The statement of objectives should be uploaded as a single document, covering the candidate’s goals for research, teaching and impact on society, in general and specifically regarding equity, prior to December 1^st, 2023.

Tufts University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. The Friedman School is committed to the recruitment of a diverse, inclusive faculty, so women, members of minoritized racial and ethnic groups, and individuals from other historically underrepresented populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Tufts University prides itself on creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community. Current and prospective employees of the university are expected to have and continuously develop skills in positively engaging with a diverse population of faculty, staff, and students.

See the Tufts University Non-Discrimination statement and policy here: https://oeo.tufts.edu/policies-procedures/non-discrimination/. If you are an applicant with a disability who is unable to use our online tools to search and apply for jobs, please contact us by calling the Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) at 617-627-3298 or at oeo@tufts.edu. Applicants can learn more about requesting reasonable accommodations at https://oeo.tufts.edu.