Advanced Food Technologist Research Scientist (NASA HHPC)

Description

Job Description:

Leidos has an excellent opportunity for an Advanced Food Technologist Research Scientist to work as part of NASA's Human Health and Performance Contract (HHPC). This program provides biomedical, medical and health services in support of human spaceflight programs. The role performs research activities within the Advanced Food Technology (AFT) portfolio, which is responsible for developing requirements, methods, and technologies that enable NASA to provide an adequate food system for future space exploration. The AFT Research Scientist will oversee several multi-year research projects that contribute to the overall body of research that is aimed at reducing the risk of performance decrement and crew illness due to an inadequate food system.

The AFT Scientist will develop new products, reformulate existing foods, administer nutrition stability testing, determine shelf-life, process organoleptic characterization of packaged foods and bioregenerative produce, and integrate foods into flight studies or ground-based analogs. The role is responsible for conducting literature reviews, supporting proposal development, creating technical reports, and preparing presentations. As part of the Human Systems Engineering and Innovation organization, the employee will participate in Public Affairs and Education outreach activities to represent the program.

This position is located on-site at Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX, and has the ability to work 1-2 days remotely.

US Citizenship or US Permanent Residency is required. Must be able to obtain a Public Trust Security Clearance.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Create and manage schedules for shelf-life testing of food / products. Establish and administer analytical testing procedures.

• Oversee research and development processes to verify accuracy of analytical tests. Analyze shelf-life data and provide regular updates to NASA customer. 

• Develop project timelines and track deliverables to ensure timelines are met. Coordinate and facilitate communication of project status to NASA customer.

• Assist with development of powdered nutritional beverages, retorted or freeze-dried foods, and flavor/texture optimization.

• Evaluate processing technologies, conduct assessments of alternative packaging materials, and make recommendations.

• Manage sensory evaluation schedules to ensure that tests are conducted in accordance with Independent Review Board (IRB) protocols for human testing.

• Participate in panelist recruitment and training; guarantee sensory data is analyzed and reported on a weekly basis.

• Complete literature reviews to remain current on industry standards and contribute to proposals and manuscripts for publication.

• Support the development and reformulation of menu items for crew members at the International Space Station (ISS).

• Attend outreach events coordinated by the Public Affairs and Education Office or as requested by the NASA customer.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Food Science (or closely-related discipline)

• 5+ years of hands-on experience in a commercial food production or research setting

• Experience in shelf-life determination, food product development, specification development

• Experience in analytical evaluation, research project management, and data analysis/reporting

• Strong, effective communication skills- both oral and written

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Word, Excel, SharePoint, and PowerPoint

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD in Food Science (or closely-related discipline)

• Current Serv-Safe Certification

• Experience performing sensory evaluation

• Experience updating ingredient and product specifications

• Experience with nutritional estimation and label generation

• Experience managing complex budgets

• Proficiency in EndNote

Pay Range:

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

About Leidos

Leidos is a Fortune 500® technology, engineering, and science solutions and services leader working to solve the world’s toughest challenges in the defense, intelligence, civil, and health markets. The company’s 45,000 employees support vital missions for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $14.4 billion for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2022.  For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available here.

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Commitment to Diversity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.