Position Description

We seek applicants for a tenure-track assistant professorship in Sustainable Food Systems, which will also entail a joint appointment as a center fellow. Food systems are defined by the people, institutions, policies, places, and activities along the full value chain that influence food production, food preferences, food accessibility (physical and economic), and the nutrition and health of foods consumed worldwide.  We are interested in scholars working in all areas related to food production and trade, food security and nutrition, food policy, and the environmental and climate dimensions of food systems. Potential candidates include, but are not limited to: natural scientists who work on soils, crops, livestock, fisheries, aquaculture, or novel food systems; social scientists researching nutrition, social safety nets, the role of food and agriculture in development, urban nutrition, behavior change of producers or consumers, and food and agricultural policy; and interdisciplinary scholars working to understand trade and supply chain issues, food links to energy and water systems, governance systems, and climate-food connections. The position will be split equally between an appointment as an Assistant Professor in one of the departments of the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability (https://sustainability.stanford.edu/school/departments) and an appointment as a Center Fellow in the Center on Food Security and the Environment within Stanford’s Freeman Spogli Institute (https://fse.fsi.stanford.edu/).

This search is particularly aimed at identifying early career scholars who show exceptional promise. We especially encourage applications from individuals who have recently completed a PhD, or who are nearing completion of such a degree at the time of application.

Please submit your application materials online at this LINK no later than September 30, 2025, at 11:00 PM Pacific Standard Time. Late applications will not be accepted.

We anticipate conducting zoom interviews with top-tier candidates in the Fall Quarter (2025) and inviting the shortlisted candidates to visit Stanford in the Winter Quarter (2026).

Applications must include:

1. Cover letter

2. Curriculum vitae

3. Contact information for three reference letter writers

4. Research statement (maximum 2 pages)

5. Teaching statement (maximum 1 page)

The Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, and Stanford University value faculty who will help foster an open and respectful academic environment for colleagues, students, and staff with a wide range of backgrounds, and perspectives. Candidates may choose to include as part of their research and teaching statements a brief discussion about how their work and experience will further these values.

Stanford University is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Stanford welcomes applications from all who would bring additional dimensions to the University’s research, teaching, and clinical missions.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, Stanford will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact disability.access@stanford.edu.

The expected base salary range for this position is $143,500 - $193,000. Stanford University has provided a base pay range representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for the position. The pay offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors including (but not limited to) the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate including years since terminal degree, training, and field or discipline; departmental budget availability; internal equity; and external market pay for comparable jobs.