Scientist - Behavior
Research & DevelopmentDepartment: Research & Development
Location: St. Louis MO
Job Number: nest-00030626
Relocation: If necessary, relocation assistance will be provided in accordance with Nestlé's relocation policy.
Join the Nestlé Purina PetCare Product Technology Center (PTC) as a Scientist. This successful individual will be responsible for planning, organizing, and performing the necessary work related to the canine and feline Feeding behavior programs at the PTC St. Joseph, Missouri (USA) facility under minimal supervision. The individual is expected to actively collaborate and communicate with the global Feeding Behavior and Petcare teams to ensure adherence to developed protocols and optimal program efficiency. This position is based in St. Joseph, Missouri (USA).
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Develop appropriate techniques to measure pet sensory and feeding behavior as it relates to pet food acceptance, enjoyment and preference.
2. Analyze the impact of genetics, age physiological state and other non-hedonic factors on pet sensory and/or feeding behavior.
3. Utilize in-vitro and/or in vivo techniques to predict and explain a pet's response to product characteristics.
4. Design and execute the necessary experiments, up to and including pilot plant trials, to further company understanding of pet ingestive behavior as it relates to palatability and nutrition to assist in product development.
5. Collaborate with the pet food flavor development and product development teams to monitor the impact of product changes on palatability performance.
6. Design and execute control programs to assess response (acceptance and preference) of palatability panels, including corrective action plans. 7. Collaborate with the PetCare Palatability Coordination Team for proper transfer and implementation of best practices relative to new methodologies and panel management.
8. Provide business partners with necessary technical support relative to the discipline of pet feeding behavior.
9. Train local scientists and technicians on Nestlé Purina palatability testing methodologies as appropriate.
10. Effectively document and communicate research results and program updates to internal and external audiences through oral presentations and timely, written technical documentation.
11. Knowledge of and compliance with the Animal Welfare Act and all procedures and protocols in the Nestlé Purina PTC Petcare Manual.
12. Conduct all activity in compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and all required Company policies and procedures.
13. Maintain a safe, clean and sanitary work environment.
14. Travel as necessary, domestic and international.
15. Practice safety in the work area.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Develop appropriate techniques to measure pet sensory and feeding behavior as it relates to pet food acceptance, enjoyment and preference.
2. Analyze the impact of genetics, age physiological state and other non-hedonic factors on pet sensory and/or feeding behavior.
3. Utilize in-vitro and/or in vivo techniques to predict and explain a pet's response to product characteristics.
4. Design and execute the necessary experiments, up to and including pilot plant trials, to further company understanding of pet ingestive behavior as it relates to palatability and nutrition to assist in product development.
5. Collaborate with the pet food flavor development and product development teams to monitor the impact of product changes on palatability performance.
6. Design and execute control programs to assess response (acceptance and preference) of palatability panels, including corrective action plans. 7. Collaborate with the PetCare Palatability Coordination Team for proper transfer and implementation of best practices relative to new methodologies and panel management.
8. Provide business partners with necessary technical support relative to the discipline of pet feeding behavior.
9. Train local scientists and technicians on Nestlé Purina palatability testing methodologies as appropriate.
10. Effectively document and communicate research results and program updates to internal and external audiences through oral presentations and timely, written technical documentation.
11. Knowledge of and compliance with the Animal Welfare Act and all procedures and protocols in the Nestlé Purina PTC Petcare Manual.
12. Conduct all activity in compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and all required Company policies and procedures.
13. Maintain a safe, clean and sanitary work environment.
14. Travel as necessary, domestic and international.
15. Practice safety in the work area.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
JOB QUALIFICATIONS (Education, Experience, and Knowledge):
' PhD degree in an animal behavior discipline preferably in the area of ingestive behavior (e.g. appetite, food preferences, sensory control of food intake).
' A minimum of three years experience.
' Strong background in the use of research techniques, statistics and experimental design.
' Experience capturing and measuring animal behavior from observational methods.
' Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.
' Good organizational skills. Ability to manage multiple projects/priorities.
' Computer literacy
' Pro-active/Self-Starter
' Good sense of business/technical interrelationships
' Strong interpersonal and team work skills. Ability to work closely and collaborate with PetCare and Product Development teams.
' Fluent in English
SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS PREFERED BUT NOT REQUIRED:
' Animal sensory (especially the chemical senses)
' Advanced knowledge of non-invasive behavioral techniques including neurophysiological techniques; example: FMRI
' Project management skills
' Impact of experience on food preferences
' Teaching experience
' PhD degree in an animal behavior discipline preferably in the area of ingestive behavior (e.g. appetite, food preferences, sensory control of food intake).
' A minimum of three years experience.
' Strong background in the use of research techniques, statistics and experimental design.
' Experience capturing and measuring animal behavior from observational methods.
' Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.
' Good organizational skills. Ability to manage multiple projects/priorities.
' Computer literacy
' Pro-active/Self-Starter
' Good sense of business/technical interrelationships
' Strong interpersonal and team work skills. Ability to work closely and collaborate with PetCare and Product Development teams.
' Fluent in English
SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS PREFERED BUT NOT REQUIRED:
' Animal sensory (especially the chemical senses)
' Advanced knowledge of non-invasive behavioral techniques including neurophysiological techniques; example: FMRI
' Project management skills
' Impact of experience on food preferences
' Teaching experience
To apply, click here