Postdoctoral Scholar (Food-Gut-Brain Lab)

About the role

The Food-Gut-Brain lab, headed by Dr. Anna Hayes, seeks a Postdoctoral Scholar to join our research team in the Department of Food Science at The Pennsylvania State University (University Park).

Responsibilities

• Lead and assist with projects tied to the lab’s focus on elucidating how the chemical structures of carbohydrate-containing foods and climate-smart crops influence eating behavior, metabolism, and cognition.
• Valorize dietary fibers and bioactive compounds such as polyphenols from food byproduct streams and underutilized food components by examining their influences on gut-brain interactions.
• Explore the health impacts of process-induced compounds and food-based strategies to alter their consequences.
• Advance understanding of how food physicochemical properties extend beyond their roles within foods to influence human health.

Requirements

• A Ph.D. in food science, nutrition science, or a related field by the appointment date.
• Previous experience conducting research with animal models and investigating the chemistry of dietary carbohydrates (e.g., starch, fiber), polyphenols, and/or Maillard reaction products.
• Experience with LC-MS and/or gut microbiome characterization is preferred.

Qualifications

• A strong publication record.
• Demonstrate creativity in research and scholarly communication.
• Work effectively in collaborative environments.
• Opportunities to develop independent research directions and contribute to grant writing and mentoring students.

Skills

• Strong foundation in food chemistry and food science.
• Ability to conduct research with animal models.
• Experience with LC-MS and/or gut microbiome characterization.
• Knowledge of dietary carbohydrates and their effects on eating behavior, metabolism, and cognition.
• Understanding of the health impacts of process-induced compounds and food-based strategies.

Pay

This is a term position; length of the term will be discussed during the interview process. Continuation past the term length discussed will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.

Schedule

The position should be filled by December 1, 2026.

Benefits

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page. (Note: For Postdoctoral benefits, please see our Postdoctoral Benefits page.)

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