Assistant Professor of Rural Health

Open Date: Apr 13, 2026

About the Role

The Department of Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciences (FNPS) at Clemson University invites applications for a full-time (9 months), tenured-track faculty position in rural health and community nutrition at the Assistant Professor rank (100% Research).

FNPS is a unique department comprised of three dynamic and growing disciplines that have strong ties to local communities, health/medical institutions, and related industries in South Carolina. FNPS has 30 faculty and 8 staff members serving approximately 500 undergraduate and 60 graduate students from all over the world. The department is housed within the College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Life Sciences (CAFLS) at Clemson University.

The position is located at the Clemson University Pee Dee Research and Education Center (REC) in Florence and Darlington counties. The Pee Dee REC is on a 2,300-acre tract of land that houses top-quality research in areas of particular importance to South Carolina residents. The Center possesses a recently renovated Pitner Center with state-of-the-art laboratories, offices, and supportive research infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a research program on the role of food, nutrients (potentially including bioavailability/bioactivity), local food systems, and/or rural disparities (e.g., healthcare access) in the prevention of chronic diseases.
• Conduct applied research projects that engage and involve client groups, stakeholders, and communities to improve their quality of life.
• Initiate, build, and sustain a nationally recognized, innovative, and externally funded health and nutrition research program leveraging existing research strengths within FNPS, CAFLS, the Department of Public Health Science, Clemson’s Research and Education Centers, and others.
• Disseminate research to improve the nutritional and health status of diverse age groups and backgrounds in communities across South Carolina.
• Work cooperatively with FNPS faculty, Clemson Extension Program Teams (particularly in the Pee Dee region), and local, regional, and state health systems and stakeholders.
• Contribute to a strong academic experience for graduate students and demonstrate dedication to academic excellence in higher education.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Nutrition, Public Health, Food Science, or a closely related field with a strong focus on rural health and nutrition program development, implementation, and evaluation.
• Knowledge of research dissemination and implementation, with the ability to be responsive to identified nutrition and health needs of citizens and stakeholders.
• Ability to work proactively within collaborative, multi-disciplinary teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Qualifications

• Documented ability to secure extramural funding to support an active research program.
• Record of high-quality peer-reviewed journal publications.
• Dedicated interest and/or demonstrated excellence in an interdisciplinary research setting.
• RD/RN or related professional certifications/licenses (preferred).
• Certification in diabetes education (preferred).
• Experience with educational programs in healthy lifestyles (preferred).

Schedule

9-month academic appointment.

Anticipated start date: January 1, 2027.