Research Support Specialist III - Food Science

   

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Position Summary:

The Innovation Lab for Food Safety (FSIL), a Cornell-Purdue jointly awarded Feed the Future Innovation Lab funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking a Research Support Specialist to join the managing team. This position will primarily focus on start-to-finish research project management and support for international food safety projects funded by FSIL.

The Research Support Specialist will have a strong technical background in principles and applications of food safety and food microbiology to ensure the success of FSIL-managed projects by working with international and domestic partners/collaborators to frame research objectives, determine situationally optimal materials and methods, provide statistical analyses guidance, frame research findings for technical and public audiences, etc. When working with partners/collaborators, the Research Support Specialist will represent FSIL, Cornell University, Purdue University, and USAID; they must have very strong interpersonal skills that show respect, integrity, and humility to build trusting and supportive relationships.

In addition, the Research Support Specialist will manage and lead internal whole genome sequencing and metagenomic sequencing research projects. Duties will include development of sampling plans, acquisition of samples, submission of samples to the Cornell Biotechnology Resource Center, raw data processing, statistical analyses, and data presentation. The Research Support Specialist will also provide sequencing support for FSIL-funded projects. As a position within the Department of Food Science, the Research Support Specialist will contribute to the department community by supporting other students, staff, and faculty in the relevant technical area.

This position requires significant international travel to meet, network, and support partners, academics, industry representatives, government officials, and USAID mission personnel. When traveling, the position will build relationships, ensure proper work plan execution, verify proper use of funds, provide technical training and oversight, and ensure that project objectives align with current USAID mission objectives. The Research Support Specialist will also support in-country policy work. International travel requires sound judgment to make independent and autonomous decisions about one’s personal circumstances and how they represent FSIL, Cornell University, Purdue University, and USAID.

Other responsibilities will include duties inherent to working in a multi-institution lab. The Research Support Specialist will work with other team members including the Director, Associate Director, Managing Director, Communications Specialist, Award Specialist, and Administrative Specialist to ensure other FSIL-sponsored activities including webinars, meetings, and workshops are executed successfully. The Research Support Specialist may occasionally speak on behalf of FSIL in an outreach capacity at classes, seminars, and conferences.

The primary work location for this position is the Cornell - Ithaca, NY Campus in a hybrid work capacity. It is expected that the Research Support Specialist will maintain a presence within the Department of Food Science to carry out any laboratory support work and contribute to the Department of Food Science community.

The Research Support Specialist will be supported by other FSIL managing team members, but will be generally expected to self-direct technical support and internal research duties. They must have good judgement in a variety of routine and non-routine situations. The position is responsible for ensuring compliance with Cornell, Purdue, USAID, and international movement requirements.

This is a one-year term appointment with possible extension depending on performance and funding.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Relocation assistance will not be provided for this position.

Required Qualifications:

• Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing.

• Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, domestic partners, international partners, and USAID personnel. 

• Master’s degree in Food Science and 3 to 5 years of relevant experience in research project management and international food safety work, or equivalent combination.

• Substantial international travel is required.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills and willingness to participate in workshops and conferences.

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to relate to people of diverse backgrounds.

• Must be able to work both independently and collaboratively to support the efforts of the overall projects to accomplish required tasks and achieve project objectives. 

• Excellent computer skills including standard office systems: Outlook, Powerpoint, Adobe, Microsoft Word, Excel and databases, e-mail, and Cornell’s web-based programs.

• Next-generation sequencing skills including whole genome and metagenomic sequencing using Illumina or other platforms.

• Strong leadership skills to manage project objectives, budget, work plan, and protocols.

• Ability and desire to rapidly learn topics which may not be familiar.

• Establish goals and objectives and determine methods to accomplish these goals using effective time management.

• Provide high level of initiative to anticipate needs of program and fulfill program objectives with general supervision.

• Ability to develop trusting and effective working relationships with a wide range of partners internationally and domestically.

• Must be comfortable with multitasking and adapt to competing priorities.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a member of a team.

• Must exercise sound and ethical judgment when acting on behalf of the University.

• Must be willing to travel for meetings and conferences internationally (up to 25% of time).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with USAID grants.

• Previous international travel experience to low- and middle-income countries.

• Experience with policy assessment and development.

   

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University Job Title:

Research Support Spec III

Job Family:

Academic Support

Level:

G

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Pay Range:

$75,809.00 - $92,655.00

Remote Option Availability:

Hybrid Remote

Company:

Endowed

Contact Name:

Joan Olson

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2024-02-16