Research Assistant

Title: Research Assistant 
Duration:3 Months
Location: Hershey, PA

Summary: Reporting to the Manager, S&R R&D, the Technician provides project assistance on high- and medium-complexity projects and may lead workstreams within larger projects with guidance. The role supports product development activities in both laboratory and pilot plant environments.

The ideal candidate understands how to manufacture a wide portfolio of products, operate associated lab and pilot plant equipment, and apply basic food science knowledge related to core products and formulations. Strong cross-functional communication and effective coordination with project leaders and management are essential.

Responsibilities:

• Work with multiple scientists within Sweets and Refreshment R&D team to achieve company goals
• Perform basic tasks and follow standard work methods or specific instructions required to support product development
• Must be competent in data entry, basic calculations, computer applications, and organoleptic evaluations
• Complete product development tasks at benchtop and pilot plant scale
• Assist and/or lead in equipment assembly, disassembly, cleaning, preparation, and production runs
• Support in-plant initiatives such as trials, sales sample production, and start-ups
• Identify project support needs
• Collaborate and partner with project leaders and peers on planning and execution
• Work independently and proactively
• Demonstrate excellent communication skills
• Exemplify agility to manage multiple workstreams and employ effective time management skills
• Ability to lift up to the maximum of fifty (50) pounds and prepare product for testing
• Ability to learn and apply new skills quickly

This role will interact and partner with:
• Scientists
• Engineers
• Pilot plant operations

This individual will be asked to pan cores for a future testing. They will also be asked to clean equipment, lab space and pilot plant space. The work may occur in the lab or the pilot plant. The individual may need to operate standard analytical equipment and tools or operate processing equipment in the lab and pilot plant. The individual will be responsible for maintaining our highest quality of food safety standards and sanitation standards.

Day to Day:
1. 80 Project support: Operate standard experimental testing or processing equipment in the laboratory to prepare and package products, and record and tabulate data. Assist with pilot plant scale-up testing by preparing ingredients, packaging materials, and processing equipment, assisting with the equipment operation, collecting and tabulating data, and post-test cleanup.
2. 0-10 Project leadership: With minimal supervision, lead small projects or segments of larger projects. Manage timelines and deliverables, plan and execute experiments with autonomy, oversee temporary labor deliverables and coordination, manage communication of status and results to the team and supervisors.
3. 10-20 Lab maintenance: Responsible for organization, cleanliness, and sanitation of team laboratory workspaces. Maintain inventory of ingredients and supplies. Maintain regulatory compliance through entry of ingredient/packaging information in the lot tracking database and respective trainings. Work within the Tech Center Traceability system to schedule pilot plant runs, reserve rooms and equipment, log/track ingredients and products, and create finished goods.

Requirements:
Education/Experience: High school diploma or GED required. 0-2 years’ experience required.
Experience in Excel and Word
Great to have experience in produce processing, food manufacturing, or research and development
45% ability to weight ingredient and follow panning recipes, such as time and quantities.
45% ability to clean equipment and work spaces
10% ability to record data

Team Size:
Team is ~2 people 
 
At SPECTRAFORCE, we are committed to maintaining a workplace that ensures fair compensation and wage transparency in adherence with all applicable state and local laws. This position’s starting pay is: $ 24.55/daily.