Fellow (Post Doc)

The Postdoctoral Fellow will lead fermentation and/or water management studies in food processing, advancing process-level understanding and developing sustainable, industry-aligned solutions for improving resource efficiency and ingredient performance.

• 522184
• Manhattan, Kansas, United States
• Grain and Food Science
• Staff Full Time (Unclassified - Regular)
• Closing at: Sep 16 2026 - 23:55 CDT
• On-site

The Postdoctoral Fellow will lead fermentation and/or water management studies in food processing, advancing process-level understanding and developing sustainable, industry-aligned solutions for improving resource efficiency and ingredient performance.

About Us

The Department of Grain and Food Science is committed to providing high-quality education, advancing innovation in grain and food science research, and building strong industry partnerships to meet the evolving needs of global food systems.
Our faculty includes several current and former Grain and Food Science members who are ranked among the world’s top 2% of researchers in a 2020 Stanford University study.
For more than 110 years, Kansas State University has been a global leader in flour milling and industry-focused education. Since 1951, it has remained one of the few institutions worldwide to offer four-year bachelor’s degrees in Bakery Science and Management, Feed and Pet Food Science, Food Science, and Milling Science and Management.
Our internationally recognized graduate program also provides a wide range of opportunities for both applied and fundamental research, leading to master’s and doctoral degrees in grain science, food science, and related fields.

Worksite Description

This position is On-site.

All employees must reside in the United States when they begin working to comply with state law. K-State is unable to provide remote or hybrid work opportunities for residents of the state of Idaho.

What You'll Need to Succeed

Minimum Qualifications:

• PhD in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Biological Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, or a closely related field.
• The degree requirement is necessary to ensure candidates possess the specialized knowledge, skills and abilities that can only be attained through a formal educational program at this level.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with graduate students and the PI.
• Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities, troubleshoot technical issues, and develop and execute detailed technical protocols
• Strong documentation and written and oral communications skills
• Experience with submerged or solid-state fermentation, and/or experience with water management in food processing, including water use analysis, reuse, or process-level optimization
• Familiarity with process evaluation approaches, such as techno-economic analysis (TEA), mass and energy balance, or life cycle assessment (LCA)
• Exposure to grant or industry proposal development is a plus
• Demonstrated ability to publish research in peer-reviewed journals.

Additional Role Information:

• The candidate must be able to work in a highly collaborative, interdisciplinary environment.

Sponsorship eligibility:

This position is eligible for sponsorship

How to Apply

Please submit the following documents:
1. KSU online Page Up application
2. Resume
3. Letter of Interest
4. List of three references with email address and phone number listed

Application Window

Applications close on: 9/16/2026

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range

45,476.00- 60,000.00

Why Join Us:

Kansas State University offers a supportive and inclusive community, dedicated to your professional growth. While specific benefits may vary by position, many roles come with comprehensive packages that support your well-being and work-life balance, including health and life insurance, retirement plans, and generous paid time off. To learn more about benefits that are available for various positions, visit our benefits overview page.

Work Authorization and Sponsorship:

Employees must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment. International candidates who require employer-sponsored work authorization are welcome to apply. Eligibility for visa sponsorship depends on several factors, including but not limited to, the job’s occupational requirements, specific duties, wage level, the candidate’s qualifications (such as degree field) and available departmental resources. As a result, not all positions or applicants will be eligible for sponsorship.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Kansas State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.

Remote and Hybrid work options:

Some positions are eligible for remote or hybrid working arrangements. An employee who is working in a remote or hybrid capacity for K-State must reside within the United States in order to comply with all federal and state laws, filings, or tax requirements. Remote and hybrid work arrangements are not available for anyone who resides in the state of Idaho.

Relocation to Kansas:

Kansas participates in the MakeMyMove program, which connects eligible newcomers with participating communities offering financial incentives, housing support, and local perks to help make your move easier and more rewarding. If relocating from outside of Kansas you can visit the site to apply online for the program incentives.

Background Screening Statement:

Upon acceptance of a contingent offer of employment, a candidate may be subject to a background check per K-State’s background check policy.

Interview Preferences:

Kansas State University honors interview preferences for qualified applicants who are veterans or individuals with disabilities. Eligible applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, submit all required application materials, and submit required preference documentation by the closing date on the job advertisement will be granted a first-level interview.

The disability and veteran interview preferences do not apply to student employment positions, temporary positions, athletics positions, academic and administrative department heads*, positions that require licensure as a physician, and positions that require that the employee be admitted to practice law in Kansas.

• Heads of Departments refers to any individual holding a primary leadership role responsible for the overall strategic direction, management and operational oversight of a recognized academic or administrative unit within the university.

To learn more about interview preferences at K-State, please visit our interview preferences page.