Postdoctoral Research Associate

Job Title

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Agency

Texas A&M Agrilife Research

Department

Food Science & Technology

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Zhuoyu Wang (PI) is seeking a highly motivated and independent postdoctoral research scientist specializing in fermentation (wine/ cider/ fruit wine fermentation; solid-state fermentation) to join the upcycled and waste valorization project. Our team generates new food or material products through upcycling, recycling, and reusing agricultural and food waste, along with investing in ways to reduce agricultural or food waste and introducing new food or material products in waste management systems. The ideal candidate will bring expertise in fermentation and non-chemical processing technologies, with a strong foundation in food science, grain and oil processing, and analytical techniques.

Responsibilities

• Perform the research to the highest standard and in accordance with ethics and all internal regulations of the Research Group.

• Lead and conduct independent research in fermentation science, food chemistry, and waste valorization.

• Apply advanced analytical techniques (e.g., FTNIR, NIR, E-Nose, GC-MS, LC-MS, hyperspectral imaging) to characterize fermented and upcycled products.

• Work in a cooperative manner with the Supervisor and other co-workers.

• Build a publication record and possibly take part in the grant proposal application with the supervisor.

• Get involved with supervising students and lab management, such as ordering, fixing, and maintaining equipment and software, IRB application, sensory evaluation, and other tasks.

• Attend scientific conferences, workshops, and share research results through publications, posters, and presentations

• Learn how to manage projects independently.

• Other duties as assigned.

Required Education:

PhD

Preferred Experience:

Experience in methods and equipment used in food physicochemical analysis, analytic techniques (such as GC-MS, SPME-GC-MS, LC-MS, rheometers, texture analyzers, spectrophotometers), and sensory evaluation.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Research skills in related areas.

• Data analysis skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Ability to design and execute research independently, with a track record of peer-reviewed publications.

• Ability to multi task and work cooperatively with others.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Research skills: Food chemistry, microbiology, food technology, biotechnology, mycology, or related areas.

• Data analysis skills: Statistical analysis through SPSS, R, Design Expert, Origin, MATLAB, chemometric tools, or other software.

• Bioinformatics and grant writing.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.