Confectionery/Food Research & Development Lab Assistant- Food Science

Promise Confections; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

Promise Confections in Pittsburgh is seeking a motivated Temporary R&D Lab Assistant to support our confectionery research and development efforts. This hands-on role offers exposure to food science, chemistry, and product development for someone eager to learn.

You will weigh and prepare samples, assist with testing, follow safety procedures, and help maintain laboratory equipment while gaining practical experience in a fast-paced candy company environment.

Qualifications

• Interest in food, science, confectionery or product development.
• Willingness to learn and take direction.
• Ability to follow recipes, procedures and safety instructions.
• Comfortable working in a hands-on laboratory/food environment.

Responsibilities

• Weigh, measure, and prepare samples per established procedures.
• Assist with product testing and sample evaluations.
• Follow food safety, laboratory, and workplace safety procedures.
• Clean and care for basic R&D equipment.
• Assist R&D team with day-to-day laboratory activities.
• Learn about confectionery ingredients, formulation, processing, and product development.
• Perform other tasks to support the R&D team as needed.

Skills

Attention to detail

Willingness to learn

Ability to follow procedures

Lab safety awareness

Job description

We are looking for a motivated and detail-oriented Temporary R&D Lab Assistant to join our confectionery Research & Development team in Pittsburgh. This is a hands-on learning opportunity for someone interested in food science, chemistry, biology, culinary science, product development, or the confectionery industry. You’ll work alongside our R&D team and gain practical experience supporting the development and testing of confectionery products. Students are encouraged to apply, but enrollment in a degree program is not required.

Job Duties

• Weigh, measure, mix, and prepare samples according to established procedures
• Assist with product testing and sample evaluations
• Follow food safety, laboratory, and workplace safety procedures
• Clean and care for basic R&D equipment
• Assist R&D team with day-to-day laboratory activities
• Learn about confectionery ingredients, formulation, processing, and product development
• Perform other tasks to support the R&D team as needed

What We're Looking For

• Interest in food, science, confectionery, or product development
• Strong attention to detail
• Willingness to learn and take direction
• Ability to follow recipes, procedures, and safety instructions
• Comfortable working in a hands-on laboratory/food environment
• Previous laboratory, food, kitchen, manufacturing, or R&D experience is a plus, but not required.
• About Promise Confections – Promise Confections is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides fair and equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected status prohibited under Federal, State, or local laws. All employment decisions are based on valid job-related requirements.

At Promise Confections, we take immense pride in being an award-winning manufacturer of everyday chocolate and confectionery products. Our commitment is to continually challenge the norms of traditional confectionery, pushing boundaries to deliver exceptional experiences. Comprising Edward Marc Brands, Seattle Gourmet Foods, Pearson’s Candy Co., and Annabelle Candy Co., we boast a diverse range of capabilities including panning, enrobing, extruding, clusters, barks, brittles, gummies and breath mint/sour candy tableting. With our extensive reach, servicing major retailers and offering private label and contract manufacturing services, we stand as emerging industry disrupters in confectionery. Check out our brands by visiting: promiseconfections.com