CALS- Technician III- Food Science Department- Geneva Agritech
About The Position
The Program Technician III position supports the operational, analytical, and technical functions of the Cornell Fermentation Farming Lab, with additional support to the Cornell Food Venture Center and Seneca Foods Foundation Pilot Plant. The position enables laboratory- and pilot-scale fermentation services by maintaining laboratory systems, preparing and monitoring microbial cultivation processes, supporting downstream processing activities, conducting routine analytical testing, maintaining accurate records, and assisting with reports for internal and external stakeholders. This role is essential to the CFFL’s ability to deliver reliable fermentation research, extension, product development, and client-service activities at Cornell AgriTech. The Technician III will work under the supervision of the Associate Director of the CFFL to provide laboratory and analytical support for the internal and external clients of the CFFL, Seneca Food Foundation Pilot Plant (SFFPP), and the Cornell Food Venture Center (CFVC). Primary activities involve maintaining and organizing laboratory records, materials, tools, equipment and reagents; perform basic literature review on topics related to ongoing projects; isolate, cultivate and identify microorganisms of interest and maintain culture collections; cultivate microorganisms in batch and continuous processes, perform analyses related to microbial cultivations, including pH, acidity, liquid and gas chromatography; prepare and monitor fermentation processes in laboratory bench scale and pilot scale; develop and execute downstream processing at bench and pilot scale. On an as-needed basis, the Technician III will provide support for routine analytical activities at the CFVC, including testing food samples for pH, water activity, Brix, solid content and perform the filing and communication related to these activities. The Technician III will also support pilot scale fermentation activities (and other operations as necessary) at the SFFPP.
Requirements
- Associate’s degree and up to 2 years of relevant experience or equivalent combination
- Prior experience in a laboratory setting
- Prior knowledge of safety protocols in a lab setting and proper waste handling
- Experience with Microsoft office suite – including Word, PowerPoint and Excel and familiarity with outlook
- Ability to communicate verbally and written with faculty, staff and students
- Must have and maintain a valid and unrestricted NYS driver’s license and be cleared to drive for university business
- Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members
Nice To Haves
- Bachelor’s degree
- Experience working in university-based laboratories or extension programs
- Familiarity with biochemistry, biotechnology, microbiology, and industrial fermentation processes
Responsibilities
- Maintaining and organizing laboratory records, materials, tools, equipment and reagents
- Perform basic literature review on topics related to ongoing projects
- Isolate, cultivate and identify microorganisms of interest and maintain culture collections
- Cultivate microorganisms in batch and continuous processes
- Perform analyses related to microbial cultivations, including pH, acidity, liquid and gas chromatography
- Prepare and monitor fermentation processes in laboratory bench scale and pilot scale
- Develop and execute downstream processing at bench and pilot scale
- Provide support for routine analytical activities at the CFVC, including testing food samples for pH, water activity, Brix, solid content and perform the filing and communication related to these activities
- Support pilot scale fermentation activities (and other operations as necessary) at the SFFPP
Benefits
- Comprehensive health care options
- Generous retirement contributions
- Access to wellness programs
- Employee discounts with local and national retail brands
- Health and personal leave
- Three weeks of vacation
- 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1
- Two additional floating holidays
- Tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program
- Tuition aid for external education
- Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
Associate degree
