Research Scientist/Engineer 1

Job Description Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. Our Commitment: The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81. The Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE) maintains an internationally recognized research program. Please visit us at: https://ise.washington.edu/ to learn more. The Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering has an outstanding opportunity for a Permanent Research Scientist/Engineer 1 (NE S UAW Research) position. This position is engaged in research and outreach activities focusing on food preservation and AI applications in food supply chain. The Research Scientist/Engineer 1 will facilitate and interact with collaborators both at the University of Washington and Washington State University. The successful candidate will assist in driving innovation in food processing and AI applications and be the key liaison with the industry, internal & external research partners . The employee will coordinate research activities, manage lab(s) including all equipment, processing machines, facilitate lab relocations, and conduct and develop pilot-scale testing infrastructure. The employee will also be responsible for working directly with stakeholders to secure contracts if needed, researching tasks for best practices and following safety guidelines and developing proper manuals and policies for the lab. The employee is a team member of the lab and Research Program, collaborating with a team of research scientists, assisting new PhD students, and others. Work for this role is performed under general supervision of the PI, following established research plans and protocols. While the overall direction will be supplied by the PI, the candidate will exercise judgment within defined procedures and is expected to escalate complex or novel research challenges and ideas directly to the PI. This role is expected to contribute ideas for improving methods, workflows, or infrastructure, the candidate is not expected to be responsible for project design or funding decisions. RESPONSIBILITIES: Research: including food processing and AI applications, lab setup, and pilot-scale testing (70%) Assist in the design, development, and execution of applied research projects as needed Participating in grant funded research activities, including technical contribution to proposals, progress reports, compliance documentation, and sponsor deliverables with oversight from PI. Assist in developing and supporting infrastructure for pilot-scale testing in food processing. Develop and apply AI tools and technologies to research, including the development of AI-based communication tools such as chatbots and QR code systems. Assist in writing technical reports and scientific manuscripts for publications. Assist faculty in managing grant applications, reporting, and administration to ensure efficient funding utilization. Collaborate Research Scientists to assist in research proposal development, assist with data collection and organization. Organize and schedule research meetings to support research projects. Contribute to the research team meeting relating to experimental design and data collection. Independently research for best prices, best product for the lab needs benchmarking, and technology scouting, and present to PI. Develop research protocol and best practices for the lab and provide it to PI for review. Acquisition, setup, and management of research equipment and devices. Interact as a service liaison, supporting collaboration with clients and research partners. Facilitate laboratory relocation and setup across institutions. Service as a technical liaison to collaborators, industry partners, and external researchers, supporting collaborative research activities and applied projects. Develop and maintain an active research website and digital materials highlighting the capacities and outcomes of the research program and lab. Participate in food processing-related and applied research Support food processing pilot-scale infrastructure development Apply computer programming skills for AI applications in research environments (e.g., Python- or R-based tools) Develop and maintain websites for outreach activities, including integration of AI chatbots, QR code development, and deployment. Support cross-institutional and industry collaboration Facilities management and laboratory activities: (15%) Provide technical support and guidance to graduate students, visiting scholars, and other research users on laboratory equipment and established research procedures. Assist in the development, documentation, and maintenance of laboratory policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and safety protocols. Coordinate equipment shipping, asset tracking, inventory management, and maintenance schedules. Assisting in the development of research infrastructures and laboratory spaces. Partner with Research Scientists to communicate with external users interested in using. Highlight the lab within the college, research leadership across the US, and work with advancement and/or other Deans office departments for showing the lab to potential donors and external clients Facilitate lab relocation, expansions, and or new lab set-up as needed. This includes layout planning, equipment movement, and commissioning. ISE Facility resources (10%) Provide support to graduate students, visiting scholars, and others. Work with department for resources and align policies Create and manage lab policies and procedures Organize group meetings and interact and collaborate across the university. Coordinate equipment shipping, asset tracking, and retrieval as needed. Assist in data collection efforts with the research team Update the labs websites Other duties as assigned by the supervisor (5%) MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: Bachelors degree in STEM, informatics, or related field . One year of experience in AI applications in food processing related research. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills - ability to interact with laboratory personnel, medical staff (including physicians), and external customers. Demonstrate high organizational skills and have knowledge of laboratory working environments including understanding of MATS In person 5 days a week from 8:30 to 5:00. Travel occasionally Work potentially on the weekends. Experience with facilities and space management across higher education institutions is required, including multi-unit renovations, cross-campus relocations, and institutional transitions between universities. The candidate must have successfully managed complex logistics, vendor coordination, compliance requirements, and stakeholder communications to ensure seamless operational continuity. DESIRED EXPERIENCE Experience in a research lab and facilities maintenance for min 2 years BS-level training in STEM-related fields Experience with website - Drupal Familiarity with the Microsoft Office suite, Canva, and computer programming language (e.g., Python, R), and GitHub. Experienced in collecting user data. Compensation, Benefits and Position Details Pay Range Minimum: $56,448.00 annual Pay Range Maximum: $62,400.00 annual Other Compensation: - Benefits: For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/ Shift: First Shift (United States of America) Temporary or Regular? This is a regular position FTE (Full-Time Equivalent): 100.00% Union/Bargaining Unit: UAW Research About the UW Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. Our Commitment The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu. Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law. 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