Part Time Food Lab Assistant

Curion; Emeryville (CA); On-site; USD 29,000 - 32,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

California Sick Leave

Job summary

Curion's Food Lab Assistant position is a 7-month, part-time on-site role located in Emeryville, CA. You will prepare samples, set up testing rooms, assist study participants, and maintain sensory lab inventory while following food-safety standards.

The schedule is fixed with several short shifts across Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, with some flexibility. Starting pay is $21.00-$23.00 per hour and overtime eligibility applies as a non-exempt temporary position.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and time-management abilities with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to changing schedules and testing needs.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word and Excel.
• Ability to work safely in a food-grade laboratory environment.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a diverse team.

Responsibilities

• Prepare sensory references using established written procedures.
• Set up, maintain, and clean testing rooms for QDA panels, discrimination tests, and consumer research studies.
• Prepare, portion, and label samples for sensory evaluation, including mixing protein powder products when required.
• Serve samples and assist participants during Central Location Tests (CLTs).
• Maintain inventory and organization within the sensory preparation area.
• Support the smooth execution of sensory testing activities and adhere to food safety and lab standards.

Skills

Verbal and written communication

Organizational skills

Multitasking

Microsoft Office

Lab safety

Problem solving

Independent and collaborative work

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Description

Initial 7-month temporary role with potential for extension based on business needs

Schedule Expectations

There are 40 weeks per year that the Food Lab Assistant is needed onsite with this set schedule:

• Monday: 8:45 AM to 1:00 PM
• Wednesday: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM (some flexibility with start time)
• Thursday: 8:45 AM to 1:00 PM
• Friday: 8:45 AM to 1:00 PM

Hours/days subject to change based on the onsite panel's schedule. Additional workdays may be required 4 to 6 times per year. Advance notice will be provided.

At Curion, We Connect Brands to People. Our expertise and passionate pursuit of insights enable our clients to make informed decisions that drive meaningful impact. Our vision? Advancing the way brands connect to people to build a better future. Our core values: Integrity, Resiliency, Accountability, Curiosity, and Collaboration.

The Food Lab Assistant supports sensory testing operations by preparing samples, setting up and maintaining testing environments, assisting study participants, and managing sensory lab inventory. This position is part-time and based on-site at a Curion client location.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare sensory references using established written procedures.
• Set up, maintain, and clean testing rooms for QDA panels, discrimination tests, and consumer research studies.
• Prepare, portion, and label samples for sensory evaluation, including mixing protein powder products when required.
• Serve samples and assist participants during Central Location Tests (CLTs).
• Maintain inventory and organization within the sensory preparation area.
• Support the smooth execution of sensory testing activities and adhere to food safety and lab standards.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and time-management abilities with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to changing schedules and testing needs.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word and Excel.
• Ability to work safely in a food-grade laboratory environment.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a diverse team.

Physical Requirements

• Able to stand on feet for long periods of time
• Able to walk within facility for extended periods
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds regularly, and up to 50 pounds on occasion

For Curion Food Lab Assistant positions located in Emeryville, we offer a starting pay rate range of $21.00-$23.00 per hour based on the qualifications and experience of each individual. This is a temporary part-time position, deemed non-exempt for overtime purposes, and, therefore, is subject to overtime compensation. As a temporary employee, you will not be eligible to participate in any company benefit plans, although you will receive California Sick Leave.

Curion is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status.

About Curion:

Curion specializes in delivering impactful insights to the world’s top CPG companies, helping them develop winning, repeatedly purchased products. Curion’s deep data-driven product insights, sensory expertise, and state-of-the-art consumer centers enable them to uncover responses to critical client objectives. With over five decades of experience in the product testing industry, Curion is dedicated to guiding clients with their proprietary XP Xperience Performance platform, connecting brands to consumers at every step.

An innovator in the industry, Curion recently developed a groundbreaking benchmarking product testing method, the Curion Score™, which has become a trusted and sought after tool within the industry. As one of the largest product and consumer insights companies in the U.S., Curion has built a reputation for excellence and trust among the world’s leading consumer brands. Curion’s commitment to innovation and expertise, coupled with a passion for delivering actionable insights, makes Curion a valuable partner for companies looking to develop and launch successful products.