Produce Research Associate

Job Description

Johnson Service Group (JSG) is seeking a Produce Research Associate. This is a 6 - 12 month remote position.

Working days/ hours: Monday - Friday PST- 8:00 am- 5:00 pm

Pay is $36.06 per hour

Job Description Summary

The Postdoctoral Research Associate will support the development and implementation of data-driven research programs focused on produce safety. The ideal candidate will assist in compiling research data, compiling and analyzing public data sets, collecting samples and field data, and support coordination of experimental trials. This is a great opportunity for an individual to work with real-world produce safety initiatives where science, data, and food safety intersect.

Qualifications

• Ph. D in Food Science, data science, microbiology, and/or a closely related field with an emphasis on produce safety. Strongly preferred qualifications include knowledge of experimental design elements for microbiological and chemical hazards. Basic understanding on microbiology, microbiological testing, and microbiological hazards is recommended.
• Experience with data analysis tools (e.g. R, Python), and database management using services such as AWS or Azure.
• Familiarity with the produce industry in the United States is preferred.
• Experience with data collection, cleaning, and basic data analysis techniques.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.
• Willingness and ability to travel for fieldwork, sample collection, and meetings.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Salesforce, and Zoom products, with the ability to quickly adapt to using new programs.
• Internet access provided by a cable or fiber provider with 40 MB download and 10 MB upload speeds.
• Home router with wired Ethernet (wireless connections and hotspots are not permitted A designated room for your office or steps taken to protect company information (e.g., facing computer towards wall, etc.).
• Verifiable, clean DMV record and the ability to travel to local member sites.
  
  

Duties And Responsibilities

Data Initiatives Support

• Compile, clean, and manage large datasets from multiple sources (e.g., research projects, public databases) to support the implementation of company's ' GreenLink® platform.
• Integrate and associate compiled data with primary field-collected datasets to support predictive model development and practical tools (AISTM) for the produce industry.
• Assist in the full ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) process: receiving raw data files, cleaning and standardizing datasets, and preparing data for deployment in analytical systems.
• Work collaboratively with the science team to analyze data and generate meaningful reports and visualizations.
• Troubleshoot data-related challenges, identifying and implementing solutions in a timely, efficient manner.
• Communicate findings and project updates to internal and external stakeholders through reports, presentations, and collaborative meetings.
• Support external stakeholders (Universities) on implementation of research to maximize use of developed tools by the broader industry.
  
  

Data and Food Safety Initiatives Support

• Support data collection efforts, including field sampling for experimental trials and coordination with laboratory partners. This includes traveling to major produce-growing regions for sample collection, recording associated parameters and metadata, and either coordinating with testing laboratories or conducting experiments in collaboration with partner labs.
• Collaborate and coordinate with external researchers, subject matter experts (SMEs), and industry partners on data collection, experimental design, and interpretation of results to ensure alignment with research goals.
• Assists the science team in research efforts related to funded grants.
• Conduct research and literature reviews in key areas of for members, including microbiological and chemical hazards, outbreak investigations, and environment and sustainability to inform internal strategy and external outreach.
• Develop science-based resources, summaries, and briefing materials to support company advocacy, education, and communication efforts.
• Collaborate with internal teams (Marketing, Government Affairs, Innovation) and external stakeholders (LGMA) to ensure scientific accuracy and relevance of communications and recommendations.
• Participate in stakeholder meetings, workshops, and conferences to represent the science team and share findings when needed.
  
  

JSG offers medical, dental, vision, life insurance options, short-term disability, 401(k), weekly pay, and more. Johnson Service Group (JSG) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. JSG provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, marital status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. #D800,