Research Associate II, Ingredient Innovations

It's a Perfect Day to change the world! At Perfect Day, we're doing just that.
Perfect Day was founded in 2014 to create delicious, nutritious dairy products that everyone can love. We’re using fermentation (not animals) to make dairy proteins that are the foundation for foods like ice cream, cheese and yogurt – all with the distinctive taste and textures that consumers demand, but without lactose or environmental downsides. Through partnerships with respected brands, we’re working to launch a whole range of dairy products that will help shape a humane, sustainable food system for future generations. 
Perfect Day is continuing to commercialize animal-free dairy protein ingredients and we are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Research Associate to join our team. The Ingredients Innovation team is a fast-paced and multi-disciplinary group and we work closely with the Food, Commercial, and R&D teams to collaborate and solve puzzles! As the newest member of the team, you will lead projects and assist scientists in characterizing and developing new protein ingredients that highlight the functionality of animal-free proteins in a variety of food model systems. We need intelligent, proactive members to complement our diverse team and help us build upon our profile of food analytical methods.

YOUR CONTRIBUTION:

• Characterize food proteins, food ingredients, and model food formulations. Benchmark & develop functional ingredient blends using those characterized food ingredients from concept through commercialization. 
• Analyze materials utilizing analytical equipment such as pH meter, Turbiscan, rheometer, particle size analyzer, and various functionality assays.  
• Develop and conduct physiochemical and functional analysis such as moisture content, pH, conductivity, bulk density, heat stability, foaming capacity, emulsion stability, water/oil binding capacity, and gelation properties
Other functions: 
• Develop and validate analytical methods to improve data resolution and/or sample throughput.
• Get trained to perform sensory assessments, ingredient shelf-life validation, write ingredient specifications, and develop product application material. 
• Complete experimental documentation and data analysis in an organized, accurate, and timely manner in an electronic lab notebook. 
• Support additional projects, research strategies, and experiments throughout R&D as required. 
• Work with other members of the Food team to design and conduct studies; provide guidance on best uses for functionality to product development and commercial teams. 
Competencies:
• Effectively applies technical knowledge to solve a range of problems. 
• Identify and recommend improvements to existing workflows. 
• Ability to collect data in a timely, methodical fashion and document work with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail. 
• Our team members should be driven and do what it takes to contribute to a small team in a fast-paced, collaborative start-up environment. 
• With his/her manager, sets specific, measurable goals that are realistic but challenging, with dates for accomplishment. 
• ·Expresses ideas clearly and concisely in writing. 

KNOWLEDGE AND REQUIRED SKILLS:

• B.S. degree in Food Science/Technology, Food Process Engineering, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Life Sciences, Chemical Engineering, or related field with 1-3 years experience in the food industry. 
• Basic understanding of food ingredients, nutrition, food analytical tools, food microbiology, unit operations in food processing, food product formulation, and the composition, properties, formulation, and manufacture of dairy and food products. 
• Hands-on experience characterizing food products or ingredients with analytical instruments; experience with particle size analyzer, rheometer, texture analyzer, plate reader, or light scattering a plus. 
Additional Knowledge, but not required:
• Experience with assisting with or participating in sensory analysis of food products 
• Experience with electronic lab notebook or statistical analysis software a plus (e.g., JMP, SAS, R, SciNote). 
• Knowledge of GMP, HACCP, and safe food handling practices. 
• Prior experience operating food processing equipment at bench or pilot scale. 
•  Some travel up to 5% of total work time may be required. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus, with or without corrective lenses.
• Ability to stand or sit for prolonged periods at a given time; reach, climb, kneel, bend, push and/or pull, and at times lift objects as heavy as 50 lbs.
• Position located in a mix of typical laboratory, workshop, and kitchen environments, and requires a tolerance for high worker traffic, close quarters, noise, odors, dust, transiently wet and dirty floors, and varying room temperatures and lighting. 

Perfect Day is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
It's a Perfect Day to change the world. The day when delicious dairy goodness is something everyone can love. The day we say goodbye to the downsides of factory farming. The day we throw a big party with luscious, animal-free milk, cheese, yogurt, and ice cream, all made with Perfect Day! We hope you join us!