APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

• CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process (https://pennstateoffice365.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/KnowledgeBaseArticlesSharing/EfiwgKReZ4VAjprFZPKWUm0Bq_sU3KzTmERfpryq0esPKQ) . 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. (https://pennstateoffice365.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/KnowledgeBaseArticlesSharing/Eeys15Xva4hFokHVtbP1eGIB5i1WFLc-J3k9KHgrFYZ7mg) 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 (https://hr.psu.edu/sites/hr/files/Application_Process_for_External_Applications_Non-Penn_State_Employees_.pdf) .

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

The Sensory Evaluation Center (SEC) in the Department of Food Science in the College of Agricultural Sciences (https://agsci.psu.edu) is seeking a full-time Sensory & Consumer Scientist (Research Project Manager) to manage studies for academic research and industrial clients, including creating experimental designs, training student workers, scheduling and executing studies, data analysis and archiving, and reporting of study results. The work is fast paced, as the facility tests several hundred people in a typical week. Internal clients include graduate students and faculty in Food Science and/or other departments in the College of Agricultural Sciences. External clients include large multinational corporations and smaller food companies within Pennsylvania.

Oversight and technical guidance are provided by the SEC Director (Dr. John Hayes) and Associate Director (Dr. Helene Hopfer), but the successful individual will be expected to make routine decisions and allocate resources without direct supervisory input. Daily activities include fielding inquiries from clients, advising on research designs, developing project proposals for clients using existing templates, and generating technical reports of results upon project completion. Other activities include creating standard operating procedures for sensory tests, hiring and training student workers, leading creation of training materials for support staff, organizing short course and outreach activities, assuring regulatory compliance, including preparation, submission and documentation of protocols for Human Subjects Protection and Lab Safety. The successful individual will also present data at conferences and coauthor peer reviewed papers as appropriate.

This is a limited term appointment funded for one year from date of hire with excellent possibility of re-funding.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

Bachelor’s Degree required, MS or PhD Preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Additional Preferred Education, Experience, or Certifications:

Formal education in Food Science, Nutrition, Dietetics, Psychology, Market Research, Culinary Arts or other related area is preferred but not required.

Additional Required Competencies:

Experience with Compusense Cloud (or comparable software like RedJade, FIZZ, or SIMS) is preferred but not required. Working knowledge of Sensory & Consumer Science testing methods (preference, acceptance, difference testing, JAR and penalty analysis, QDA and Spectrum Descriptive Analysis) and/or statistical software like R/SAS/SPSS/JMP/XL Stat is preferred but not required. Experience with Focus Groups (remote / in person) is preferred but not required.

Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and written and oral communication skills are essential. Attention to detail and good project management skills are vital requirements, as well as an ability to work in a team environment across multiple levels of experience and seniority.

This position requires that you operate a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties. A valid driver’s license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required in addition to standard background checks.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in   all of   its forms.   We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusive excellence that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusive excellence as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission.

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades is:

$56,200.00 - $81,500.00

Salary Structure (https://hr.psu.edu/current-employee/compensation/staff-salary-grades-and-leveling-matrix) - additional information on Penn State's job and salary structure.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS:

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here (https://police.psu.edu/annual-security-reports) .

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster (https://affirmativeaction.psu.edu/files/2022/01/Federal-Contractors-Labor-Law-Poster.pdf)

PA State Labor Law Poster

Affirmative Action (https://policy.psu.edu/policies/hr11)

Penn State Policies

Copyright Information (https://www.psu.edu/copyright-information)

Hotlines

University Park, PA