Research Associate - Shelf Stable Foods

Mori is focused on innovations in the food, agriculture, and packaging industries. We leverage the unique properties of a natural protein discovered in silk that protects food, creates an edible barrier, and slows down spoilage. Our products can be integrated at any time from farm to shelf, allowing food producers, processors, and retailers to deliver more and better-quality food to consumers. Our mission statement “More Food, Less Waste” embodies our companies’ commitment to improving supply chain inefficiencies and reducing food and packaging waste. We abide by the following values to make our mission possible:

• See it through
• Operate with care
• Embrace complexity
• Keep perspective
• Think big, start small

Mori is seeking a Research Associate to join our Shelf Stable Foods R&D team for full-time employment. The ideal candidate will have a passion for food and support product development and basic research initiatives across 10+ shelf-stable food categories.
Responsibilities:

• Conduct laboratory research to develop and test novel edible coatings or ingredients with moderate oversight
• Effectively manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Carry out scientific literature review, to enable design, execution, and analyses of experiments
• Support shelf-stable product development research across multiple categories
• Communicate results, conclusions, and next steps in an organized way
• Master current laboratory techniques and contribute to optimizing methods as well as scoping new methods
• Collaborate effectively with team members or work independently
• Contribute to a highly enthusiastic and welcoming environment

Requirements
Ideal candidates will have the following qualifications:

• Strong organizational skills
• Required, B.S. in Food Science, Food Engineering, or related field with 0-2 years of relevant industry experience
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Statistical background with experience using JMP, R or similar software
• B.S. in Food Science, Food Engineering, or related field with 2+ years of relevant industry experience preferred (or M.S. and 0-2 years relevant industry experience)
• Innovative thinker with experience in technical product development or research in food products
• Experience working on interdisciplinary teams with strong project and people management skills

Compensation

• $62,000 - $67,000 (depending on experience)

Benefits
Mori provides a comprehensive benefits package which includes:

• Optional Life and supplemental life insurance through MetLife
• Free TelaDoc through Aetna available to employees with an active Mori health plan
• Free, access to confidential mental health counsellors through a program called Health Advocate. Health Advocate also helps with other things (securing childcare, finding lawyers for wills, etc.), and you have access to the full array of Health Advocate options
• Health, vision, and dental plans where Mori pays 50% of the premium
• Health Advocate also offers advice on which health insurance option to choose based on your personal circumstances (HIPAA compliant, everything is done between you and them and never comes to a Mori employee). This type of program is often referred to as an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Health Savings Account (HSA) for High Deductible Health Plans (HDHP)
• Unlimited paid-time-off (which includes sick pay) and 11 paid company holidays
• One year of TalkSpace (fully online mental health therapists) Access based on enrollment in an active Mori provided Health Benefit plan. Monthly limitations apply
• 401(k) plan with company match
• Free OneMedical on-demand primary care (24/7 access to physicians, online booking system, membership fee is covered), insurance required for certain services
• Commuter benefits providing employees the opportunity to use tax-free dollars on commuting costs (as specified by the benefit administrator.
• Equity

Additional location specific benefits include:

• 24/7 access to Hood Park fitness center (Boston benefit)
• Hood Park programming and events (Boston benefit)
• Covered and indoor bike parking (Boston benefit)

Mori is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”), as amended by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, and all applicable state and local fair employment practices laws. Employment opportunities at Mori are based upon one's qualifications and capabilities to perform the essential functions of a particular job. All employment opportunities are provided without regard to race, religion, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.