Food Science Lab Technician

Job Title: Food Science Lab Technician

Role Type: Part Time (10 - 20 hours per week)
Hourly Wage: $17 per hour
Job Classification: Non-exempt
Job Status: Temporary
Role Reports To: Director of Ingredient Solutions
 

About Us

Our team at NuCicer is reinventing the chickpea with high-protein content and customized
functional and nutritional properties to enable a sustainable, nutritious future. We leverage
the power of natural plant diversity along with cutting edge genomic breeding technologies
to develop new chickpea varieties and work with protein extraction manufacturers to
produce chickpea protein ingredients.

At NuCicer we believe everyone should have access to high-quality, affordable, and
nutritious protein. We also believe our food sources should contribute to sustainable
solutions without compromising on quality or affordability. As our global population
continues to grow, demand for protein increases along with the environmental impacts of
our food system, making this an urgent and complex challenge.
 

Job Description

Applicant Information:
NuCicer is looking for a Food Science Lab Intern to join our ingredients development team.
This individual will characterize chickpea ingredients (flours, protein products) by analyzing
their functional and physical properties. As a member of the Ingredients team, this Food
Science Lab intern may also contribute to sensory studies and product development work.
If you are passionate about food science, food security, nutrition, environmental
sustainability or even just chickpeas in general, please apply!
 

Time commitment:
We are looking for interns that can commit a minimum of 10 hours per week. Interns have the
option for more hours (up to 20 per week) should their schedule permit.
 

Qualifications

Here are the qualities and characteristics that will enable a candidate to succeed in this
position:

● Educational background: BS optional; Pursuing a BS in Food Science, Materials
Science, Biochemistry, Chemistry or similar discipline.
● Experience working in a laboratory environment; has completed multiple laboratory
courses and/or has previous experience working in a laboratory
● Familiarity with functionality and compositional testing of food ingredients
● Motivated individual, comfortable with working individually to perform experiments at
the bench
● Collaborative team member with a growth mindset .
● Ability to effectively and reliably record and manage data and documentation.
● Experience working with Excel spreadsheets and analytic software.

Roles & Responsibilities

● Prepare chickpea samples for both internal and external laboratory testing. This
includes de-hulling seeds and milling them into flour
● Follow company SOPS to conduct functionality testing of ingredients to understand
properties such as emulsification, foaming, gelling, water absorption, and protein
solubility
● Perform routine analytical testing of ingredients to obtain compositional data
including protein, starch, and fat content
● Perform analysis of both ingredients and product prototypes by moisture analysis,
particle size distribution, RVA, and other methods
● Record and analyze data, maintain a laboratory notebook and appropriate
documentation within company standards
● Prepare detailed written reports to summarize findings
● Maintain equipment and a clean lab setting
● Ensure that all safety guidelines are followed strictly at all times
● Manage chickpea flour and protein related material inventory
● Assist the Ingredients team with other tasks as assigned

Location

7661 Becker Rd, Davis CA 95618