About This Role

Apeel Sciences is seeking a highly-motivated Associate Food Scientist to conduct research and development focused on furthering our understanding of microbiological aspects of fresh produce and food ingredients. This scientist will execute and assist in a variety of food microbiology projects involving, but not limited to, exploring and validating processing technologies, and exploring food and ingredient interactions as they relate to microbial food safety, under limited supervision. Additionally, the candidate will be working in cross functional teams to assist in microbiological environmental monitoring and staying up to date with relevant industry practices.

What You’ll Do

• Employ working knowledge of food safety & microbiological principles to conduct experiments and record, interpret, and report on findings
• Apply aseptic techniques for media preparation and culture propagation
• Assist in preparing for and executing experiments in our existing BSL-2 laboratory
• Explore rapid microbial detection and analysis techniques and assist with the environmental monitoring program
• Assist with the environmental monitoring program
• Learn and apply U.S. Government and other organizational regulatory requirements to food production. This includes maintaining a working knowledge of FDA, USDA and FSMA requirements, assisting with the evaluation of company compliance, and staying up-to-date with regulations
• Work as part of several cross-functional teams in a highly dynamic environment
• Be able to adapt and thrive within a changing work environment
• Excel at oral and written communication
• Be able to travel up to 10% of the time to conduct in-field testing
• Demonstrate a commitment to workplace safety through adherence to corporate safety policies
• Continuously improve performance by upgrading skills and identifying/using skill-enhancing assignments, courses, and training opportunities

What You Bring

• BS or MS (preferred) Degree in Food Science, Applied Microbiology, or related field with two or more years of professional microbiological lab experience (GLP) in BSL-2 work
• Solid knowledge of aseptic techniques necessary to conduct: pure culture propagation, selection, preparation, and use of microbial growth media, enrichment, and pathogen analysis
• Working knowledge of current regulatory implications related to food (i.e., FSMA, HACCP, and Preventive Controls) is preferred but not required
• Knowledge of food chemistry and food processing relevant to antimicrobial ingredients or interventions is preferred but not required
• Food safety related certifications (Eg. HACCP or PCQI) are preferred but not required
• Ability to thrive in collaborative environments
• Willingness to learn and adapt in ambiguous situations

Apeel believes that the scale of our impact is determined by the teams that work with us. As such, we seek to build high-performing teams of people from various experiences and backgrounds who can collectively push our company into new realms. We seek a diverse pool of applicants and consider all qualified candidates regardless of race, ancestry, color, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, citizenship, disability, Veteran status, marital status, or any other protected status. If you have a special need or disability that requires accommodation, please let us know.

Please note that Apeel Sciences does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the event of a recruiter or agency submitting a resume or candidate without a signed agreement being in place, we explicitly reserve the right to pursue and hire such candidates without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted directly to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of Apeel Sciences