Food Quality Analyst Long-Term Urban Ecological Observatory (LTUEO)

About the School of Environment and Sustainability (SES)

The IIHS Long-Term Urban Ecological Observatory (LTUEO) at the Kengeri campus is an important part of the SES and integrates state of the art observation and measurement systems for biodiversity, air, water and soil, food and ecosystem services to serve the needs of sustainable management of the campus and function as a research and educational resource for the larger community.

The Food Safety Testing Lab is a part of the LTUEO and Sustainable Urban Agriculture initiative at the IIHS Kengeri campus, within the SES.

Job Description

IIHS seeks a meticulous and technically skilled food quality analyst/ technician to support the Food Safety Testing Lab in understanding and communicating the changing chemical and microbiological variables of food (both cooked and uncooked) on campus and in the neighboring lake, forest, and urban ecosystems.

The role will be responsible for conducting qualitative and quantitative tests to determine the physical and chemical properties of food, recording and compiling the test results, preparing charts and reports, as well as preparing and incubating plates with cultures. It will also involve defining quality assurance targets and procedures and ensuring their maintenance and continued improvement by reviewing targets, protocols, supplies, processes, equipment, and technologies for quality standards.

The candidate will be expected to spend substantial time at the IIHS Kengeri Campus and provide support as needed, on other IIHS projects under the SES.

This is a contractual engagement for an initial term of 11 months, renewable on mutual

consent and based on performance, and with the potential to turn into a regular position over time.

Activities and Tasks

Responsibilities would include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Collecting, processing and analysing food, vegetable, drink and dairy samples at regular intervals as a part of the campus environmental monitoring system;
• Assisting in setting up and maintaining a food quality lab, maintaining and calibrating equipment, and preparing SOPs and related documents;
• Preparing and maintaining hard-copy and computer-based data sets on all chemical and microbiological food quality environmental variables;
• Helping prepare regular updates on the food safety lab's activities for the IIHS newsletter and other IIHS communication outputs;
• Contributing to knowledge-sharing events, publications and presentations featuring the food safety lab's activities, observations and findings at appropriate internal and external forums as needed;
• Participating in relevant teaching and training activities; contributing to curriculum design and the development of teaching materials, including case studies, as relevant;
• Providing support to other IIHS activities including academics, research, training, practice, operations and others;
• Participating in all activities of Institution-Building at IIHS; carrying out tasks as assigned by IIHS; and traveling on IIHS work within or outside the country as and when needed.

Structure and Reporting

The food quality analyst will be an External Consultant coordinating with the Lead – Research, SES at IIHS, be part of the larger SES team and will be required to collaborate effectively with the Campus Development team a diverse group of internal teams and external individuals/ organisations, and students.

Person Specification

The candidate should have:

• A Master's degree of Science/ Technology in Food Technology, Food Science and technology, Food Science and Nutrition, Food Safety and Quality Assurance, Food Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry/ Food Microbiology, Microbiology, or Chemistry;
• 3-4 years of experience in chemical, physical, microbiological, and sensory assessment of food, vegetables and drinks.

This is a contractual engagement for an initial term of 11 months, renewable on mutual consent, and with the potential to turn into a regular position over time. This offer is on an exclusive basis, which implies that other professional assignments (whether compensated or not) that bear a potential conflict of interest with IIHS cannot be undertaken.

The search will remain open until the position is filled.

Location

This position is based in the Kengeri Campus, Bengaluru and may entail travel to other locations in India.

Review and Assessment

The role and performance of the incumbent shall be subject to normal review and assessment systems at IIHS.

Diversity Policy

IIHS is an equal opportunity employer that encourages women, people with disabilities and those from economically and socially excluded communities with the requisite skills and qualifications to apply for positions.

Contact

Please write to us at [HIDDEN TEXT] if you need any clarifications while filling the online application form.