About the Opportunity

The Postharvest Researcher will identify, research, and develop technologies and strategies to support Driscoll’s commitment to delighting consumers with Only the Finest Berries™. As part of our Postharvest Handling team, you will be the trusted hands-on resource to verify and validate berry, region, and variety specific practices to optimize berry shelf life and improve supply chain efficiency. The Postharvest Researcher will be a passionate, independent, self-starter ready to make a meaningful impact in the way in which our fruit is handled across the Americas.

 

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support in the form of recommendations of best postharvest practices, development of standard operational procedures, review assessment of new or novel technologies and ad-hoc research into causes of quality concerns

• Leverage published theory and knowledge on postharvest physiology and handling practices, both internal and external, to provide recommendations of best practices and minimum expected performance results

• Generate technical reports with scientifically sound interpretations and recommendations

• Design and execute research capable of answering specific questions and solve complex problems at commercial scale

• Responsible for communicating complex experimental results into easily understandable explanations and provide recommendations for best practices

   

Candidate Profile

•    PhD in Plant Science/Postharvest or related discipline with 2+ years post Ph.D. research and/or industry experience preferred, or a Masters’ degree in these fields with 5+ years’ experience
•    Demonstrated postharvest and plant physiology experience - working with berries preferred
•    Question-driven, curious, experienced scientist with demonstrated ability to work independently
•    Research focus on postharvest handling practices, and their impact on berries 
•    Expertise in novel product and technology innovation and commercialization
•    Ability to execute research in a cold environment (0˚C)
•    Experience with postharvest handling, quality and Research and Development
•    Domestic and international travel (valid passport) required up to 40%
•    Self-starter with ability to drive research to its completion independently
•    Conduct trials, analyze data, publish findings, and develop and train employees on best practices to maintain quality of berries throughout storage and transport
•    Other duties as assigned
•    Bilingual skills in Spanish a plus 

Compensation & Benefits:

The following information is provided in good faith as a general description of the salary range and benefits for the position posted.  The actual compensation offered to the successful candidate is dependent upon experience, skills, education, work location, internal pay equity, and other objective job-related factors.

Salary Range estimated for the Postharvest Researcher: $108,000 to $140,000 USD.

Driscoll’s is committed to a culture of care and offers an attractive benefits package that includes comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, life insurance, and disability coverage for positions working more than 30 hours per week. Other benefits include:  401(k) with employer match, profit-sharing participation, paid sick time, paid vacation, paid personal and family care leave, and a free Employee Assistance Program (EAP).  More detailed information regarding the benefits package, will be shared during the application process.
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