Assistant Professor (CAS) in Sustainable Agri-Food Systems

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Position Description

The Department of Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry in the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences of McGill University invites applications for a full-time Contract Academic Staff position at the rank of Assistant Professor (teaching) in the field of Sustainable Agri-food Systems. This will be a Contract Academic Staff position for three years and does not confer eligibility for tenure.

McGill’s Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences is located on the Macdonald Campus, 35 km from downtown Montreal. The Campus comprises 650 hectares of farm and forested lands, commercial and research animal facilities, experimental field stations, well-equipped analytical laboratories and state-of-the-art student learning facilities. McGill field stations include the Bellairs Institute in Barbados, the McGill Arctic Research Station on Axel Heiberg Island and the McGill Subarctic Research Station in northern Quebec, as well as the Morgan Arboretum, the Gault Reserve and the Molson Reserve. Additional information concerning McGill University and its Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences can be found on their respective web sites (www.mcgill.ca, www.mcgill.ca/macdonald).

McGill University, in partnership with the MasterCard Foundation, is embarking on an ambitious collaboration with seven African organizations within the Nkabom Nutrition and Sustainable Agri-Food Collaborative. This initiative aims to bridge education and workforce gaps by training youth in the nutrition and agri-food sectors, especially in rural communities, to help transform Africa’s agri-food system and empower the next generation of leaders.

The collaborative is anchored in three key strategic outcomes: (i) the development of experiential learning opportunities that promote climate-smart, traditional, and nutrition-sensitive agri-food practices through community-based research and innovation; (ii) expanded access to inclusive and flexible learning pathways for diverse youth populations, including women, refugees, internally displaced persons, and persons with disabilities; and (iii) the strengthening of education ecosystems with the policies, networks, skills, and leadership required to support youth-driven entrepreneurship and foster inclusive economic growth within the agri-food sector.

Funding for the hiring of this innovative partnership brings together leading Ghanaian institutions and McGill University to transform the nutrition–agri-food ecosystem and create dignified and impactful employment opportunities for young people, particularly marginalized persons and communities, including women. As such, the Nkabom Collaborative represents a key international initiative for McGill, with the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (AES) playing a central role in coordinating and delivering its academic programs. The objectives of the Nkabom Collaborative closely align with the teaching and research strengths of the Department of Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry, making it well positioned to contribute meaningfully to the initiative’s implementation and impact.

This recruitment aligns with Québec’s Politique bioalimentaire 2025–2035, which emphasizes increasing agricultural productivity and food sovereignty, improving nutritional quality, protecting agricultural land, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and promoting sustainable development.

Funding for hiring a Contract Academic Staff member at the rank of Assistant Professor (Teaching) for three years has been allocated in the said Nkabom Collaborative initiative funding. 

Job Duties

Overall, this position is critical to ensuring the effective delivery, academic integration, and long-term impact of McGill’s engagement in the Nkabom Collaborative.

The successful candidate’s primary responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following:

· Building and managing the above, working collaboratively with a diverse network of local and external partners;

· Participate in regular meetings at McGill University and key partner institutions;

· Developing, teaching, and leading courses in sustainable and equitable agri-food systems and participating in the development and support of degree programs within the partner collaborating institutions.

The successful candidate’s management duties will include:

- Overseeing the implementation of the collaborative program with universities in Ghana and related stakeholders;

- Responsible for deliverables and outcomes;

- Oversee the coordination and management of FAES based training of HQPs involved in this collaborative;

- Prepare and communicate FAES quarterly reports to the Nkabom secretariate;

- Travel to Ghana to fulfill some of the job duties.

The successful candidate will also be expected to be actively involved in all aspects of McGill’s academic mission (i.e., research, teaching, supervision of students and residents, and involvement in academic and administrative committees, where applicable).

McGill faculty members are expected to contribute to service activities within their units, the University, and the wider scholarly community. A demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion is also expected.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Have attained a Ph.D. degree;
• Possess relevant expertise in areas of sustainable agri-food processing, food product development, food security, and food science.  Expertise in human nutrition and experience in program evaluation will be counted as additional asset;
• Have a track record of high-quality teaching, inclusive pedagogy, and effective student supervision experience in agri-food innovation and nutritional food science;
• Possess relevant training, research, or work experience in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) with preference given to those with experience in Africa and Ghana;
• Have a proven track record of working in equitable and diverse partnerships;
• Fluency in English is essential; a working knowledge of French, or a commitment to acquiring it within a few years of appointment is preferred.

Position Details

Job Type:  Contract Academic Staff

Rank:  Assistant Professor (non-tenured, ranked contract academic staff)

Job Status:  Full-time

Length of Appointment:  Three (3) year term

Salary:  Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience

Application Procedure

Posting Period:
Please submit your application within 30 days of the publication of this advertisement.

Required Documents:
The following supporting documents are required in one PDF:

• Cover letter summarizing relevant educational background and work experience (maximum two pages);
• Curriculum vitae;
• Statement of teaching philosophy, statement of applied research and interest, including experience in the African context and a demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion (maximum 2 pages);
• Names, titles, and contact information of three referees.

Use a personal email address when creating an account in Workday to submit your application.
Do not use @mail.mcgill.ca or @mcgill.ca email accounts to apply.

Inquiries can be addressed to Dr. Benjamin Simpson, Search Committee Chair:

[email protected]

Depending on your nationality, it may be necessary for you to have a valid Canadian Visa to travel should you be invited to a Campus visit.

Before applying, please note that to work at McGill University, you must be both authorized to work in Canada and willing to work in the province of Quebec at the campus where the position is based / located.

McGill University is an English-language university where most teaching and research activities are conducted in the English language, thereby requiring English communication both verbally and in writing.

McGill University is committed to equity and diversity within its community and values academic rigour and excellence. We welcome and encourage applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to engage productively with diverse communities.

At McGill, research that reflects diverse intellectual traditions, methodologies, and modes of dissemination and translation is valued and encouraged. Candidates are invited to demonstrate their research impact both within and across academic disciplines and in other sectors, such as government, communities, or industry.

McGill further recognizes and fairly considers the impact of leaves (e.g., family care or health-related) that may contribute to career interruptions or slowdowns. Candidates are encouraged to signal any leave that affected productivity, or that may have had an effect on their career path. This information will be considered to ensure the equitable assessment of the candidate’s record.

McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated equity groups to self-identify. It further seeks to ensure the equitable treatment and full inclusion of persons with disabilities by striving for the implementation of universal design principles transversally, across all facets of the University community, and through accommodation policies and procedures. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, [email protected].

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.