Kitchen and Fermentation Lab Manager

Chatham University; Matthews (NC); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Part time

Job summary

Chatham University seeks a part-time lab assistant to support the Food Studies fermentation space on campus in Matthews, NC. You will help with lab setup, safety, and daily operations, enabling student projects and community activities.

You will maintain equipment and records, assist with classes, and help promote fermentation initiatives across campus, while upholding food safety standards.

Qualifications

• Must hold or be willing to work toward food safety credentials (e.g., ServSafe).
• Interest in fermentation and food preservation requested; experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Manage lab clean-up, organization, signage, and equipment with support from key users.
• Assist with Food Studies labs, fermentation-related projects, and student use of the space.
• Coordinate community lunches and campus events involving fermentation or food preservation.
• Support the fermentation club growth, including workshops and campus collaborations.
• Collaborate with the farm team to preserve harvests via fermentation and other methods.
• Maintain records and a shared inventory for small wares and equipment.

Skills

Interest in fermentation

Job description

Responsibilities

• Manage lab clean-up andmaintainorganization, signage, and equipment, with support from key users.
• Assist with Food Studies courses by supporting fermentation-related labs, projects, and student use of the space.
• Assistwith community lunches and campus food events that involve fermentation or food preservation, including basic setup, coordination, and shared kitchen use.
• Assistwith the fermentation club tofacilitateits growth and development, including workshops, promotion, and coordination with broader campus initiatives.
• Collaborate with the farm team to help preserve harvest surplus through fermentation and other preservation methods, supporting seasonal processing and reducing food waste.
• Support preservation planning and coordination related to farm harvests, including basic documentation and communication with relevant stakeholders.
• Maintain general records, including a shared inventory spreadsheet for small wares, equipment, and desired future purchases.
• Establish andmaintaina presence on the Food Studies Brightspace shell to build community resources and provide clear, consistent expectations for fermentation projects on campus.
• Explore and supportadditionalways to promote Food Studies and fermentation activities across campus.
• Keepa log ofduties and hours to helpmonitorthe workrequiredto manage the space.
• Foster an inclusive environment andequitablespace usage, developing the fermentation lab as a key campus resource.
• Support events, community lunches, and classes by coordinating kitchen access, setup, and shared use of the space.
• Maintain the kitchen calendar (published on the Food Studies Brightspace shell) and schedule kitchenuse;coordinate between classes, CRAFT, student projects, various clubs, and approved events.
• Manage clean-up andmaintainthe organization and signage of the licensed kitchen, with the full support of key users, FST cohorts, faculty, and staff.
• Supervise the washing and folding of towels on a weekly or as-needed basis, according to the established schedule.
• Once trained, provide standardized kitchen orientations for users on equipment and systems, including the three-compartment sink, combi-oven, pilot lights, ice cream machine, and sanitizer maintenance.
• Food safety certificates and training (ensuring at least one certified individual is present during kitchen use)
• Kitchen orientations completed by users
• Par stock and chemical inventories
• Equipmentrepairs and desired future purchases of small wares or equipment
• Establish andmaintaina presence on the Food StudiesBrightspace shellto build community resources and communicate clear, consistent policies, procedures, expectations, and information about ongoing classes and events.
• Keep a log of duties and hours tomonitorthe workrequiredto manage the space.
• Foster an inclusive environment andequitablespace usage, developing the kitchen lab as a key campus resource.

10 hours per week

Qualifications

• Must hold or be willing to work toward food safety credentials (e.g.,ServSafe; training and materials provided).
• Interest in fermentation and food preservationrequired; experience is an asset.
• Willingness to engage in ongoing food safety and preservation training.

All current student employees should notify their other manager(s) if you work multiple jobs on campus at the same time. Additionally, students may not work more than 20 hours per week (combined between all campus jobs) during the academic year. Students may not exceed 980 work hours per calendar year.

Student jobs do not automatically roll over to the next academic year or summer.

Chatham University strives to promote a campus environment that understands and embraces multiculturalism while increasing individuals' intercultural competence. We actively work to build and sustain a diverse and culturally vibrant campus, which promotes employee and student success and retention.

Chatham University is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity. Chatham University does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, age, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital or family status, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

The Center for Women's Entrepreneurship at Chatham University offers comprehensive programs and services to support entrepreneurs and business owners in the Pittsburgh area.

Business Consulting and Services Professional Services

Company size 2–10 employees

Company type Nonprofit Founded 2005

Momentum

Team growth

17% in 12 mo

7 employees on LinkedIn

Jul 23 Apr 26

Footprint

Where they work

Headquarters Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania