Sensory & Consumer Scientist

Position Overview

The Sensory Evaluation Center (SEC) in the Department of Food Science, College of Agricultural Sciences seeks a full‑time Sensory & Consumer Scientist (Research Project Manager – Intermediate Professional or Professional Level) to manage studies for academic and industrial clients. Responsibilities include experimental design, training, scheduling, execution, data analysis, archiving, and reporting.

Funding is for one year, with possible continuation based on performance.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of location. For additional information see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

• Manage client inquiries, advise on research designs, and develop project proposals.
• Create experimental designs and standard operating procedures for sensory tests.
• Hire and train student workers, and develop training materials for support staff.
• Organize short courses and outreach activities.
• Ensure regulatory compliance:
  Human Subjects Protection, Lab Safety, and related documentation.
• Analyze data and generate technical reports of results.
• Present data at conferences and coauthor peer‑reviewed papers.

• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, written, and oral communication skills.
• Attention to detail and strong project‑management skills.
• Ability to work in a team environment across multiple levels of experience and seniority.

• Master’s degree in Food Science, Nutrition, Dietetics, Psychology, Market Research, Culinary Arts, or related area (PhD preferred). No degree required if PhD available.
• Experience with Compusense Cloud or comparable software (Red Jade, FIZZ, SIMS).
• Working knowledge of Sensory & Consumer Science testing methods (preference, acceptance, difference testing, JAR, penalty analysis, QDA, Spectrum Descriptive Analysis) and/or statistical software (R, SAS, SPSS, JMP, XL Stat).
• Experience with remote and in‑person focus groups.

• Research Project Manager – Professional:
  Bachelor’s degree; no prior work experience required.
• Research Project Manager – Intermediate Professional:
  Master’s degree; 1+ years relevant experience or equivalent education and experience combination.

Employment requires successful completion of background checks in accordance with University policies. Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa; applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

Salary range: $56,200.00 – $89,600.00 (inclusive of all possible grades). Salary structure information available on Penn State’s website.

Full‑time benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement plans, paid time off (holidays, vacation, sick time), and a generous 75% tuition discount for employees, spouses, and children. Detailed information is available on the Benefits Page.

Penn State is an equal‑opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.