Research Manager, Food Science Sensory & Biochar Labs

Salary Grade: 30E

Context of the Job:

The Research Manager provides leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight for teaching, research, and industry-sponsored activities within the Center for Food Sensory, Characterization, and Novel Processing (FSCNP) and Biochar Labs.

This position directs laboratory operations, sensory program management, food composition and quality analysis, pilot-scale processing support, personnel supervision, client relations, regulatory compliance, and outreach activities.

Working closely with the Centers’ Director, faculty, graduate students, research staff, industry partners, and departmental administrative staff, the Research Manager ensures that all laboratory and sensory activities are conducted safely, efficiently, and in compliance with university and regulatory standards. The position supports both academic research and revenue-generating industry projects.

Major Responsibilities:

Program & Laboratory Operations Leadership

• Plan, direct, and oversee daily operations of sensory and analytical laboratories.
• Develop, implement, and maintain laboratory policies, workflows, SOPs, and quality control documentation.
• Ensure compliance with university policies and regulatory standards (GMP, GLP, HACCP, food safety, chemical hygiene, biosafety).
• Supervise, train, mentor, and evaluate laboratory personnel, student employees, and technical staff; support ongoing professional development.
• Maintain current knowledge of analytical techniques, sensory methodologies, and instrumentation relevant to food and agricultural materials.
• Ensure laboratory methods, instrumentation, and quality procedures meet client needs and intended applications.
• Maintain inventory of chemicals, ingredients, and supplies; coordinate sample receiving and storage.
• Calibrate, troubleshoot, and maintain laboratory and sensory equipment.
• Implement continuous improvements in laboratory efficiency, data quality, and workflows.

Sensory Program & Industry Project Management

• Design, coordinate, and oversee sensory evaluation studies (e.g., discrimination, descriptive analysis, consumer testing) for research and industry clients.
• Develop sensory test plans aligned with sponsor objectives and ensure compliance with study protocols and timelines.
• Recruit, train, screen, and monitor sensory panelists to ensure high-quality, reliable data.
• Oversee preparation, coding, blinding, and handling of sensory samples under strict safety and quality standards.
• Manage multiple concurrent projects, ensuring deadlines and deliverables are met.
• Maintain clear communication with industry sponsors regarding study progress, coordination, and outcomes.
• Analyze sensory data using appropriate statistical tools and software.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, and client-ready summaries.
• Ensure confidentiality, documentation integrity, and compliance for all proprietary and sponsored research activities.
• Ensure sensory facilities and documentation meet internal quality and regulatory standards.

Food and Biochar Composition, Quality & Analytical Testing

• Oversee chemical, physical, and microbiological analyses including moisture, ash, pH, color, texture, rheology, volatile compounds, nutrient profiling, and related quality measures.
• Conduct fundamental characterizations of biochar, including bulk density, rare earth elements, heavy metals, porosity, surface area, PAH content, and elemental composition.
• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot advanced instrumentation (e.g., GC–MS, HPLC, ICP-OES, spectrophotometers, texture analyzers, thermal analysis systems).
• Develop, optimize, and validate analytical methods in accordance with QA/QC standards.
• Interpret analytical results and prepare detailed reports for faculty, researchers, and external clients.
• Ensure accurate documentation and compliance with laboratory recordkeeping requirements.

Food Processing & Product Development Support

• Direct and support pilot-scale and bench-scale processing trials, including formulation adjustments, optimization, and prototype development.
• Evaluate ingredient functionality, processing performance, and product stability under varied conditions.
• Support new product development through ingredient screening, functional testing, and performance comparisons.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (R&D, quality assurance, engineering) to troubleshoot products and process challenges.
• Develop and maintain SOPs for processing operations and laboratory workflows.

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