Research Scientist - Microbiology

The Research Scientist will conduct dairy microbiology research applied to starter culture selection, spoilage organisms, and other applications. The Scientist will conduct research following scientific methods to identify key factors that will lead to improved flavor, texture, longer shelf-life, and consistency of the product. It is expected that the Research Scientist will quickly gain understanding of our product composition and manufacturing processes. This role will be part of the Research Team working with the Research Team Leader.

The Research Scientist reports to the Chief Innovation Officer and will receive day-to-day project guidance and oversight from an assigned Team Leader.

Principal Duties:

• Design and conduct experiments from bench-top to commercialization to produce long shelf-life fermented dairy products.
• Work with other groups inside the company to organize and execute trials.
• Conduct long term studies to determine product quality over shelf-life.
• Assist the company in developing strategies to control undesirable microorganisms including bacteriophage.
• Elucidate the characteristics and interactions of microorganisms when grown under different conditions.
• Differentiate and quantify bacteria as well as other microorganisms using selective media and other techniques.
• Isolate and maintain cultures of bacteria and other microorganisms for further study.
• Summarize and communicate results and conclusions in a concise and timely manner.
• Develop new and adapt existing methodologies.
• Evaluate data for accuracy and precision.
• Assist other research scientists when needed.
• Some travel is required.

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. degree in dairy microbiology, food microbiology, or general microbiology.
• One to three years of industry experience is preferred.

Skills:

• Knowledge of and experience with dairy/food starter culture and lactic acid bacteria is required.
• Experience with conventional microbiology and fermentation techniques is required.
• Knowledge and hands on experience in molecular microbiology is a plus.
• Must be organized and able to maintain progress on several concurrent projects.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with high attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal and critical thinking skills.
• Knowledge of statistical analysis.

Schedule and Travel:

Workdays are Monday through Friday. As this is a salaried position, the schedule may be changed as projects require. Infrequent travel is expected. Access to laboratory equipment is needed for daily work tasks so a remote option is not available.

For five generations spanning over a century, Daisy Brand has been a family-owned company committed to providing the freshest, most wholesome dairy products. The company is headquartered in Dallas, Texas with manufacturing facilities in Garland, Texas (1998), Casa Grande, Arizona (2008), and Wooster, Ohio (2015).

Daisy is the market leader in two billion-dollar categories, sour cream and cottage cheese, and generates over half a billion in revenues annually. Daisy Sour Cream represents 1 out of every 2 sour cream purchases in the United States and is the largest sour cream brand in food service, military, and club. It is recognized by consumers for A Dollop of Daisy, a tagline that put this once small brand on the map. Daisy Cottage Cheese is Americas #1 cottage cheese brand and continues to bring new consumers into the category with its innovative single serve packaging and consistent high quality. Daisy recently expanded into a new category with the launch of two dip products and is in the process of expanding distribution.

Daisy's core values, Clean and Trust, resonate in all aspects of our business operations. In 2008, the Foundation for Financial Service Professionals awarded Daisy the prestigious American Business Ethics award.

While maintaining a strong culture of curious and innovative problem-solvers, Daisy Brand has more than doubled employment over the last 15 years and is continuing to grow. Currently, we are proud to employ over 650 full-time staff across more than 25 states throughout the United States.

At Daisy Brand, we value longevity and aim to foster a working environment where employees can envision a long-term career. Companywide, the average employee tenure stands at over seven years. Our corporate office and sales team each boast an average tenure exceeding eleven years, while our manufacturing facilities also demonstrate strong employee retention with tenures averaging over seven years.

Daisy Brand offers an industry leading benefits package that includes:

• A no-deductible, $0 premium option for employee-only health coverage.
• 401(k) with 50% company match on first 8% of earnings you contribute.
• Safe harbor and profit-sharing company contributions to 401(k).
• Company paid short- and long-term disability coverage.
• Company paid 2X annual salary life and AD&D insurance.
• 4 weeks annual paid time off.
• 20 floating holiday hours and 6 company paid holidays.
• Extra time off for volunteering.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Fitness membership reimbursement.
• And more

Daisy Brand is a nicotine-free company. Daisy Brand is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Veterans and disabled encouraged to apply.