Job Information
Agricultural Research Service Research Chemist in Madison, Wisconsin
Summary The incumbent will be a postdoctoral research chemist in the Vegetable Crops Research Unit and will work as part of an integrated research team that develops novel strategies for improving cranberry production and crop utilization along with evaluating and broadening the knowledge base of cranberries, focusing on characterizing fruit composition and quality. Responsibilities Conducts research to elucidate the correlations between cranberry fruit quality attributes and sweetened dried cranberry (SDC) processing outcomes by integrating data from various physicochemical analyses. Develops instrumental techniques to assess the key quality attributes of cranberry fruits, including chemical composition, internal structure, and firmness, as well as those of SDC products, such as visual appearance, flavor, taste, and texture. Laboratory approaches will include HPLC, rheological analysis, texture profile analysis (TPA), and X-ray CT scanning. Collaborates with food scientists, geneticists, and plant physiologists to interpret data, report findings, and enable to select varieties suitable for specific product quality attributes or processing conditions. Assists the development of pre- and post-processing technologies that improve cranberry product acceptability and nutritional value. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Knowledge of the current methods used in the physicochemical characterization of food materials, including techniques used in texture or rheological analysis and structural analysis are highly desirable. Applicants must meet basic Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standard's requirements of the scientific discipline necessary to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. Chemistry Series, 1320 Basic Requirements: Degree: physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering that included 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by course work in mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics. OR Combination of education and experience - course work equivalent to a major as shown in 1 above, including at least 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Education This position has a positive education requirement. You must submit a copy of your academic transcripts OR a list of college courses with credit hours, dates completed, and grades received to verify education when applying for this position. If this information is not provided, your education may not be appropriately evaluated and you may lose consideration for this position. If you are selected for this position, you will have to provide an official copy of your transcripts prior to entering on duty. Application materials will not be returned. A Ph.D. is required that was obtained recently. Additional Information