Research Scientist Microbiology

Compensation

• Salary: $68,000–$70,000 annually, commensurate with experience.
• Position Type:
  Full-time (Exempt)
• Schedule:
  
  Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM. Occasional weekend work may be required. This position is fully on-site; remote work is not available for this role.
• Work Location:
  
  The Institute for Food Safety and Health (IFSH), 6502 S Archer Rd., Bedford Park, IL 60501.
• Benefits:
  Our commitment to employee well-being is reflected in our competitive benefits package located here.

The Research Scientist-Microbiology leads the Sprout Safety Alliance at Illinois Tech’s Institute for Food Safety and Health (IFSH). This position plans, designs, and executes collaborative and contract research projects in support of food safety initiatives and public health objectives. The role maintains laboratory equipment, resolves routine technical issues independently, and provides guidance to staff and students on research and safety related matters, as needed.

As part of one of the FDA’s centers of excellence in food safety, this position supports research that advances FDA’s public health mission and provides the food industry with critical food safety information. The position collaborates with governmental agencies, academia, and food industry stakeholders, with success measured by collaborative research outcomes, project execution, and programmatic impact.

• 50% – Leads the IFSH Sprout Safety Alliance and provides training and technical assistance to sprout growers as part of alliance activities. Works collaboratively with governmental agencies, academic institutions, and industry stakeholders to support program objectives and food safety initiatives. Provides supervision, training, and guidance to Support Scientists and students, as needed.
• 50% – Leads collaborative research projects and develops a research program focused on the microbiological safety of foods and the detection of foodborne pathogens and toxins in foods. Drafts proposals and secures external funding through FDA collaborative research, competitive grants, and industry‑sponsored contract research. Executes research projects to meet objectives, milestones, and deliverables; prepares reports for funding entities; presents findings at scientific conferences;
  
  and publishes results in peer‑reviewed scientific journals.

• Ph.D. in Microbiology, Food Science, Agriculture, Biological Sciences, or a related field, or a master’s degree with at least three years of food safety related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience conducting laboratory‑based research involving foodborne pathogens, with knowledge of food safety issues related to food, produce, and/or sprouts preferred.
• Strong organizational, project management, and communication skills. Ability to communicate and present technical research clearly and concisely in written, verbal, and electronic formats to scientific, academic, industry, and government audiences.
• Ability to work collaboratively with governmental agencies, academic institutions, and industry stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

• May supervise and train Support Scientists and students, as needed, and perform budget‑related duties, as assigned.

• Works with minimal supervision, responds to complex queries, and proactively seeks solutions.
• Maintains exceptional attention to detail when documenting and maintaining scientific notebooks, research records, and related documentation.
• Effectively communicates with colleagues and stakeholders to encourage participation and seeks input from others to resolve issues as they arise.
• Mentors staff and students, as directed.
• Independently solves routine laboratory or research problems.
• Drafts grant proposals and proprietary contracts, as required.

• Works extensively in a laboratory environment involving foodborne pathogens and strict safety procedures.
• Regularly works with various chemical sanitizers in accordance with all applicable safety requirements.
• Must…