Postdoctoral Scholar – Davis College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

The Postdoctoral Scholar will support research, laboratory operations, teaching, and grant development within the School of
Agriculture and Food Systems, Davis College of Agriculture, Natural
Resources and Design. The position will provide shared technical support for Food Science and microbiology laboratories while conducting externally funded research in emerging areas of food science.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research in digital food processing/manufacturing,

including 3D food printing, and extraction/isolation of insect proteins and lipids for human food, bioenergy, and biofuel applications.

• Support USDA-funded research, including the Sun Grant, and

contribute to preparation of competitive USDA-NIFA and other federal research proposals, including AFRI programs.

• Assist with development of USDA education proposals, including

SPECA, A7801, and HEC, and implementation of funded educational activities.

• Provide shared laboratory technical support, including

equipment set-up, calibration, routine maintenance, troubleshooting, laboratory organization, purchasing, supplies, and inventories.

• Support installation, commissioning, operation, and maintenance

of new analytical instrumentation, including the rheometer, RT-PCR system, HORIBA Aqualog spectrofluorometer, and other Food Science laboratory equipment.

• Develop and maintain operating procedures and provide technical

training and guidance to faculty, graduate students, undergraduate students, and other laboratory users.

• Assist with undergraduate and graduate Food Science

instruction, laboratory preparation, demonstrations, experiential-learning activities, and student research.

• Support Food Science, School of Agriculture and Food Systems,

and Davis College recruitment and engagement activities, including interactive demonstrations such as 3D food printing.

• Assist undergraduate and graduate students with research

methods, instrumentation, data collection, analysis, scientific writing, presentations, and preparation of research outputs.

• Prepare manuscripts, technical reports, presentations, and

other scholarly products resulting from research activities.

• Perform other related research, instructional, and

laboratory-support duties consistent with the needs of the Food
Science program and externally funded projects.

Qualifications :

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Food Science, Food Technology, Food Engineering,

Microbiology, Biochemistry, or a closely related discipline, completed by the appointment start date.

• Research experience gained through doctoral training or

subsequent employment in food processing, food chemistry, food microbiology, protein or lipid recovery, or a related field.

• Hands-on experience conducting laboratory experiments,

operating analytical equipment, analyzing data, and preparing scientific manuscripts or technical reports.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with 3D food printing, protein and lipid extraction

or characterization, insect biomass utilization, or conversion of agricultural by-products into value-added products.

• Experience with rheology, PCR-based methods, fluorescence

spectroscopy, or comparable analytical techniques; equipment troubleshooting and laboratory operations.

• Experience mentoring students, providing laboratory instruction

or technical training, and contributing to peer-reviewed publications or grant proposals.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of experimental design, statistical analysis,

laboratory safety, and responsible research practices.

• Ability to plan and execute experiments independently,

interpret results, maintain accurate records, and manage multiple project deadlines.

• Ability to operate, calibrate, maintain, and troubleshoot

laboratory equipment and learn new analytical methods.

• Strong scientific writing and oral communication skills,

including the ability to explain technical procedures to students and other laboratory users.

• Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, students, and

research partners and contribute to an organized, safe, and productive laboratory.

• Proficiency with software for data analysis, spreadsheets,

scientific presentations, and document preparation.

Application Instructions

• Submit an application through the WVU online employment posting

for this position and include the following materials:

• A cover letter describing research interests, relevant

experience, and alignment with the position's responsibilities.

• A current curriculum vitae, including publications and relevant

technical skills.

• Names, affiliations, email addresses, and telephone numbers of

three professional references.

For questions about the position, contact Dr. Jacek Jaczynski at jacek.jaczynski@mail.wvu.edu
. Applications must be submitted through the online posting.

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

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At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values — service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation — unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu .

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.