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Job Category:
Academic Staff

Employment Type:
Regular

Job Profile:
Client-Based Researcher II

Job Summary:

The Center for Dairy Research (CDR) is seeking an assistant coordinator to support a growing Cheese Industry and Applications program on the UW-Madison campus. Housed in a new, state-of-the-art facility in Babcock Hall, CDR is the largest dairy foods research program in the US. The Center has over 60 full-time staff, supports graduate and undergraduate research, and provides technical and training support services to hundreds of dairy producers and processers from around the globe. This position contributes to CDR’s mission by delivering education, outreach, and technical assistance to our dairy partners.

Technical Assistance:
The position will provide support for cheese industry-funded technical projects related to cheese processing, product development, and scale-up by leading the design and execution of cheese trials, including experimental setup, analytical testing selection, and reporting requirements for our clients & stakeholders.

Education & Training:
The position assists in the coordination and delivery of short courses, laboratory instruction, and pilot plant demonstrations.It involves presenting educational content to industry professionals and also occasionally advises post-graduate students.

Outreach & Industry Engagement:
The successful candidate will be expected to develop and maintain relationships with cheese industry clients and stakeholders, through virtual and in-person engagement, by supporting inquiries from industry such as troubleshooting, as well as attending industry association meetings.

An ideal candidate for this role will have worked in the dairy industry with a mix of experience in cheese processing and manufacturing, project management and reporting, and client relationship management. A successful candidate will have excellent communication skills including the ability to break down complex ideas to share with a wide variety of audiences. Additionally, they will either have a valid Wisconsin Cheesemakers License, or be able to obtain one within one year of starting at CDR.

Additional information:
• Work will be performed onsite; the headquarter location is Babcock Hall
• This position requires occasional lifting of cheese weighing up to 50 pounds and the ability to stand on hard surfaces for long periods of time
• A 12-month evaluation period may be required
• A criminal background check may be required
• Employee will be required to obtain a Wisconsin Cheesemaker’s license within one year of hire date

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Prepares reports and materials and disseminates information to appropriate entities

• Collects and analyzes moderately complex research data for one or more research projects. Designs and conducts experiments and interviews. Documents results according to established policies and procedures

• Identifies concerns and recommends solutions to leadership

• Directs the development of research methodologies and procedures according to client-based objectives and specifications

• Reviews and edits research protocols under limited supervision

• Assists in coordination of short courses including laboratory instruction and pilot plant demonstration

Department:

College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Center for Dairy Research

Compensation:

The salary range for this position is $70,000 to $100,000. The actual salary will be based on experience and qualifications.

Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and paid time off; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. Additional benefits information can be found at:  

Required Qualifications:

• Previous experience in the cheese industry including manufacturing, pilot plant, and/or research and development experience

• Experience managing projects and achieving desired outcomes, i.e. research trials, operational projects, product development

• Education or experience in cheese chemistry, processing, or cheesemaking

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience managing client relationships and serving as a primary point of contact

• Experience performing routine and specialized tests for dairy products

Education:

Bachelor's degree preferred in food science, microbiology, engineering, or related fields

How to Apply:

To apply for this position, please click on the "I am a current employee" button or "I am not a current employee" button under Apply Now. You will be prompted to upload the following documents.
• Cover Letter
          • Resume

Please note, there is only one attachment field. You must upload all your documents into the one attachment field.

It’s important that your cover letter and resume reflect your experience for this position related to the Qualifications section. Your application materials will be used during our evaluation to determine your qualifications as they relate to the job.  The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process.

University sponsorship is available for this position.

References: Finalists will be asked to provide contact information (phone and email) for three references, one of which must be a current or former supervisor. References will not be contacted without prior notice.

Contact Information:

Madeilene Hoffman | HR Generalist at

Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See  for further information