Research Technician – Cunningham Lab

Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university where an inclusive community of scholars, students, and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery, and engagement. With our main campus located in Ithaca, New York, Cornell's global presence includes the medical college's campuses on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and Doha, Qatar, as well as the Cornell Tech campus located on Roosevelt Island in the heart of New York City.

We offer a rich array of services, programs, and benefits to help employees advance in their career and enhance the quality of personal life, including employee wellness, workshops, childcare and adoption assistance, parental leave, and flexible work options.

   

Our Mission 

Cornell Human Ecology explores the complexity of human life. We bring together a range of perspectives to understand the full context of the human experience and improve lives at every scale, from cells to society. Our research and academic programs focus on the interaction of humans with their biological, economic, social, and physical environments. Using Cornell's far-reaching extension network and the college's translational research methods, we deliver our findings directly to communities and families, ensuring that our work reaches those who need it most. We prioritize innovative collaboration and are fueled by a powerful, interdisciplinary, and applied approach to improving lives.

The Opportunity

The Cunningham Research Group in the Division of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, is seeking a full-time Research Technician to manage general lab activities and support human nutrition research.

Research in our laboratory focuses on eating behavior and how different properties of food influence what, how, and how much individuals eat at meals, and how this may contribute to obesity and other nutrition-related diseases. This research involves conducting controlled feeding studies in which participants consume prepared meals under supervision in the lab. The Research Technician will work directly under the guidance and support of Dr. Paige Cunningham to carry out human nutrition research, and general laboratory organization and maintenance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Recipe development and food formulation.

• Food preparation.

• Data collection and organization and maintenance of study records.

• Assisting with participant recruitment and scheduling.

• Assisting with training and oversight of undergraduate and graduate students.

• Participation in laboratory meetings, research related discussions, and other activities.

As the successful Research Technician, you will be a central part of the Cunningham Research Group’s efforts to understand the relationship between food and nutrition-related diseases. You’ll support research through hands-on food preparation, study coordination, and lab organization, while also training and guiding student assistants. Your attention to detail, collaborative mindset, and commitment to inclusivity will help ensure the lab operates smoothly and remains a space for meaningful scientific discovery.

This is a one-year, benefits eligible, term position with the possibility of renewal depending upon satisfactory job performance and funding availability.

This is a fully onsite position that is based in Ithaca, NY. Typical work hours are 9:00AM-5:00PM Monday through Friday; however, some flexibility in hours may be required depending on the demands of the research.

Required Qualifications

• Associate’s degree and up to 2 years of relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience. 

• Experience in nutrition, food science, or psychology.

• Previous research and/or culinary experience.

• Willingness to occasionally work non-typical hours (e.g. 6am-2pm or 1pm-9pm).

• Proficiency in common computer applications including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.

• Demonstrated ability to prioritize multiple tasks and work independently or as part of a team.

• Ability to follow, implement, and develop standard operating laboratory protocols.

• Detail-oriented and thorough in completing and communicating the results of work tasks.

• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relation