Job Details

Job Summary

Full-time, benefited position with the Dairy Products Technology Center at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. The DPTC, under the umbrella of the Pacific Coast Coalition – Dairy Business Innovation Initiative is seeking a Research Fellow who is experienced in dairy processing and technology. The incumbent will participate in (a) providing technical assistance to dairy businesses in collaboration with state and government agencies, universities, and the private sector, both domestic and international, and b) teaching workshops and short courses.  Assignments will include, and not be limited to, supervising undergraduate and graduate student applied dairy processing research activities; collaborating on reports, manuscripts, and proposal writing; and assisting with dairy processing industry workshops/trainings. 

The Research Fellow will support the DPTC in four areas: Education, Research, Public Service, and Outreach. The selected candidate will be expected to be self-motivated, possess and demonstrate leadership abilities, and initiate and lead different initiatives. The selected candidate will work collaboratively with faculty, staff, graduate students and with professionals from public agencies and industry; conduct scholarly and applied research; pursue and work on grants; lead and mentor graduate and undergraduate student researchers; assist in planning and scheduling events and other activities; develop reports and grant proposals; and conduct outreach activities. 

This position is funded for two years. Annual re-appointment is conditional on performance and the continued availability of budget resources.

Questions may be directed to Dr. Carmen Licon at carmenl@calpoly.edu

Duties and Responsibilities

The responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to:

• Help develop and implement value-added dairy processing and sensory analysis research
• Collaborate on reports, manuscripts, and proposal writing
• Attend and/or lead hands-on value-added dairy processing workshops, seminars, short courses
• Attend dairy processing and scientific meetings
• Supervise undergraduate and master`s students in applied undergraduate research activities
• Provide technical assistance to dairy processing industry technicians and entrepreneurs
• Assist the Director with project implementation for education and technical outreach
• Other duties as assigned

Position Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• PhD or PhD Candidate in Dairy Processing, Food Science, or related discipline
• Knowledge of in-field assessment of dairy processing, microbiology, sensory evaluation processing technologies related to dairy processing
• Affinity for utilizing both quantitative and qualitative research methods
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with counterparts and as a member of a multidisciplinary team in the development of applied dairy product development
• Demonstrated ability in publication and presentation of scholarly research 
• Ability to maintain professional and collaborative working relationships with a diverse population of colleagues, administrators, faculty, staff, students, community, and the ag industry
• Language fluency in English

Preferred Specialized Experience:

• Experience working with state and government agencies, universities, private sectors, and non-profit organizations – domestic and international
• Knowledge of the dairy sector in California and throughout the Pacific Coast
• Experience in: dairy ingredients, dairy packaging, training adult learners, 
• Practical experience making a variety of cheeses, yogurt, and/or ice cream

Physical Requirements 

• Hearing and speaking to exchange information in person or on the telephone
• Dexterity of hands, fingers, and wrist to operate a computer keyboard and calculator
• Seeing to read a variety of materials
• Sitting or standing for extended period of time
• Physical agility to lift 20 pounds to shoulder height
• Physical agility to lift, carry, push, or pull objects