APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

• CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

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.

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POSITION SPECIFICS​

The Department of Food Science in the College of Agricultural Sciences is seeking a full-time Pilot Plant Research Technologist to manage the Wet and Dry pilot plants in the Food Science Building. The Pilot Plants support the teaching, research and service missions of the Food Science Department and are equipped with a range of sophisticated pilot-scale food processing equipment.

The successful candidate will work with minimal supervision and be responsible for all aspects of pilot plant operation and maintenance, will support teaching, research and outreach activities in the pilot plants, and work with all users of the pilot plant to schedule and execute projects. The successful candidate will:

• Develop and implement systems to ensure compliance with good manufacturing practices and develop standard operating procedures and ensure users are operating equipment safely.

• Manage Pilot Plant scheduling and maintain an updated calendar, coordinated with 25Live.

• Manage organization of the Pilot Plant storage areas, working with faculty and students to maintain order, cleanliness and proper material labeling.

• Supervise wage employees and students working in the Pilot Plants.

• Oversee daily operations, including equipment management, SOPs, maintenance and training.

• Supervise and verify cleanup procedures after Pilot Plant use, ensuring compliance with safety and sanitation standards.

• Provide technical and instructional support for academic classes and graduate student projects conducted in the Pilot Plant.  This can include supporting Instructors and TA’s by ensuring all equipment and materials are available, operational and properly set up prior to class or project activities.

• Explain and demonstrate equipment capabilities to both internal and external users of the pilot plant and train users in equipment operation.

• Working both independently and collaboratively, develop new funding sources to support the pilot plant. Including meeting with potential clients, writing project proposals