Senior Research Associate Food Sciences/Analytical Food Safety

TITLE: Senior Research Associate                                        

DEPARTMENT: Land Grant Program                          

REPORTS TO: PI,-Associate professor, Food Safety, Fermentation and Distillation Sciences, College of Agriculture, Communities and Sciences (CACS)

EFFECTIVE DATE: Position will Remain Open until Filled

EMPLOYMENT STATUS:  Full-time.    

EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION: Exempt                                      

SUMMARY: 

Under direction of the PI,  performs a variety of work with Administrators and staff in developing, implementing and managing research program in the area of food, food safety, health and biosecurity, mentor, supervise and lead graduate and undergraduate students in their research activities using cutting-edge techniques, lead and implement USDA 1890’s Evans-Allen research grants and projects. This also includes with federal funded 1890’s Capacity Building Grants .. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Assist the PI in developing research proposal and peer reviewed manuscript. Review graduate research theses and student presentations. Train and supervise undergraduate and graduate students in their research projects. Data collection, management, analysis and visualization. To assist faculty/staff in conducting research in coordination with faculty/staff in Food & Nutrition Science, Food Microbiology/ Chemistry as well as Molecular Biology and Occupational Health. Assist CACE faculty and staff in using research equipment. To support and participate in extension and outreach activities related to CACE. Maintain laboratory and manage inventory. Data analysis. Prepare annual and quarterly reports for research projects. Prepare and monitor budget usage to maintain experiment and lab supplies. Other related duties as required.

OTHER DUTIES: 

•    Work with Administrators and staff in developing, implementing and managing research program in the area of food, food safety, health and biosecurity. 

•    Mentor, supervise and lead graduate and undergraduate students in their research activities using cutting-edge techniques. 

•    Lead and implement USDA 1890’s Evans-Allen research grants and projects. This also includes with federal funded 1890’s Capacity Building Grants. 

•    Assist the PI in developing research proposal and peer reviewed manuscript.

•    Review graduate research theses and student presentations.

•    Train and supervise undergraduate and graduate students in their research projects. 

•    Data collection, management, analysis and visualization.

•    To assist faculty/staff in conducting research in coordination with faculty/staff in Food & Nutrition Science, Food Microbiology/ Chemistry as well as Molecular Biology and Occupational Health. 

•    To assist CACE faculty and staff in using research equipment.

•    To support and participate in extension and outreach activities related to CACE.

•    Maintain laboratory and manage inventory.

•    Data analysis.

•    Prepare annual and quarterly reports for research projects. 

•    Prepare and monitor budget usage to maintain experiment and lab supplies. 

•    Other related duties as required. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

•    MS in Food and Nutritional Science or related field (2-5 years’ experience).

•    Must have knowledge of advanced molecular techniques such as DNA extraction, PCR, qPCR, gel electrophoresis. 

•    Must have working knowledge of specialized analytical chemistry, especially in Chromatographic techniques such as High-Performance Thin layer Chromatography and Spectrophotometry. 

Licensing and Certifications: 

None specific.    

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES:   

•    Organizing and coordinating skills.

•    Ability to create, compose, and edit written materials.

•    Knowledge of supplies, equipment, and/or services ordering and inventory control.

•    Word processing and/or data entry.

•    Ability to maintain confidentiality of records and information.

•    Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

•    Ability to maintain calendars and schedule appointments.

•    Records maintenance skills.

•    Ability to understand and follow specific instructions and procedures.

•    Ability to perform simple accounting procedures.

•    Skill in the use of operating basic office equipment.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: 

This position does have supervisory responsibility. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

•    Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office/lab work environment.

•    No or very limited physical effort required.

•    No or very limited exposure to physical risk.

KENTUCKY STATE UNI