Sensory & Consumer Scientist

About the role

The Sensory Evaluation Center (SEC) in the Department of Food Science in the College of Agricultural Sciences is seeking a full-time Sensory & Consumer Scientist (Research Project Manager – Intermediate Professional or Professional Level).

Responsibilities

• Manage studies for academic research and industrial clients, including creating experimental designs, training student workers, scheduling and executing studies, data analysis and archiving, and reporting of study results.
• Fielding inquiries from clients, advising on research designs, developing project proposals for clients using existing templates, and generating technical reports of results upon project completion.
• Create standard operating procedures for sensory tests, hire and train student workers, lead creation of training materials for support staff, organize short course and outreach activities, assure regulatory compliance, including preparation, submission and documentation of protocols for Human Subjects Protection and Lab Safety.
• Present data at conferences and co-author peer-reviewed papers as appropriate.

Requirements

• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and written and oral communication skills are essential.
• Attention to detail and good project management skills are vital requirements, as well as an ability to work in a team environment across multiple levels of experience and seniority.

Preferred Qualifications

• A Master's degree in Food Science, Nutrition, Dietetics, Psychology, Market Research, Culinary Arts or other related area is preferred but not required.
• PhD Preferred.
• Experience with Compusense Cloud (or comparable software like RedJade, FIZZ, or SIMS).
• Working knowledge of Sensory & Consumer Science testing methods (preference, acceptance, difference testing, JAR and penalty analysis, QDA and Spectrum Descriptive Analysis) and/or statistical software like R/SAS/SPSS/JMP/XL Stat.
• Experience with Focus Groups (remote / in person) is strongly preferred.

Qualifications

• If filled as Research Project Manager - Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree No prior relevant work experience required; previous relevant work experience accepted in lieu of education.
• If filled as Research Project Manager - Intermediate Professional, this position requires: Master's Degree 1+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted.

Benefits

• Salary range: $59,580.00 - $94,980.00.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Roth and Traditional 403(b) Retirement Plans.
• Substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time.
• 75% tuition discount for eligible spouses and children.

Pay

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $59,580.00 - $94,980.00.

Schedule

This position is funded for 1 year(s); continuation past 1 year(s) will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Roth and Traditional 403(b) Retirement Plans.
• Substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time.
• 75% tuition discount for eligible spouses and children.