Technician III

Cornell University; Town of Ithaca (NY); On-site; USD 33,000 - 37,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care options

Retirement contributions

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Cornell University in Ithaca, NY seeks a Technician III to support research in food processing and engineering. You will assemble and test prototypes, operate high-pressure systems, prepare formulations, and train students and staff in a hands-on lab setting.

The role is part-time (20 hrs/week), on-site, with a one-year term. A two-year degree or higher and lab experience are preferred, along with a safety-focused mindset and strong teamwork.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or two-year program with 1–2 years lab experience.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative.
• Proficiency with Word and Excel.
• Lab safety knowledge.
• Ability to lift 20–50 pounds.
• Experience collecting data and preparing summaries/reports.
• Strong organizational skills for lab upkeep and equipment.

Responsibilities

• Provide research support for food processing and engineering projects.
• Acquire parts, materials, and ingredients for research.
• Assemble, operate, and test prototypes and lab equipment.
• Prepare and mix formulations per protocols.
• Operate high-pressure processing systems and related equipment.
• Evaluate product quality via instrumental analysis and data collection.
• Prepare data summaries and final research reports.
• Provide instruction and supervision to students and staff.
• Support visiting scientists and external clients.
• Maintain an organized, safe laboratory and manage supplies.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Independent work

Initiative

Laboratory safety

Data collection

Data summarization

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

Associate degree in engineering/food science/chemistry or related

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

The Opportunity

This position provides research support for food processing and engineering projects involving high-pressure systems, extrusion, extraction, and cryogenic freezing technologies. Responsibilities include assembling and testing prototypes, preparing formulations, operating specialized equipment, and evaluating product quality through instrumental analysis. The role also supports training students and employees, assisting visiting scientists and clients, and maintaining laboratory supplies, equipment, cleanliness, and safety.

About The Department Of Food Science

The Department of Food Science is a nationally recognized leader in applying science and engineering to improve the safety, quality, nutrition, and accessibility of food. Its interdisciplinary work spans chemistry, biology, nutrition, biotechnology, and engineering to address global food challenges. The Food Processing and Engineering program focuses on developing innovative food products and processing technologies, including research in high-pressure and other emerging processing methods.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide research support for food processing and engineering projects involving high-pressure systems, extrusion, extraction, and cryogenic freezing.
• Acquire parts, components, materials, and ingredients needed for research activities.
• Assemble, operate, and test prototypes and specialized laboratory equipment.
• Prepare and mix food formulations according to research protocols.
• Operate high-pressure processing systems and related laboratory equipment.
• Evaluate product quality using instrumental analysis and collect research data.
• Prepare data summaries and final research reports.
• Provide instruction, training, and supervision to new employees and undergraduate and graduate students, as directed.
• Support visiting scientists and external clients as needed and approved by the supervisor.
• Maintain an organized and safe laboratory environment, including ordering supplies, cleaning labware, and preparing chemical reagents.

What We Need

• Associate degree or completion of a two-year formal training program in Engineering, Food Science, Chemistry, or a related field, with 1–2 years of laboratory experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with technical personnel.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and manage responsibilities effectively.
• Proficiency with basic computer applications, including Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety protocols and guidelines.
• Ability to lift and handle materials weighing 20–50 pounds. Ability to occasionally work irregular hours as needed.
• Experience collecting data and preparing summaries and final reports.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to maintain laboratory equipment, materials, and workspaces in an orderly manner.
• Ability to cultivate and maintain inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

If you have all those things, great! We have a few more things that we would prefer you to have, but it’s ok if you don’t.

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Food Science, Chemistry, or other related field.

Previous experience with high pressure systems, 3-D printing, and in routine testing of mechanical and electrical properties of products and processes is highly desirable.

This is a part-time position (20 hrs/week) that is based in Ithaca, NY and fully on-site. Core hours are Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. The final schedule will be established in collaboration with the supervisor. This is a one-year term appointment that is contingent upon available work, funding, and performance.

Rewards And Benefits

• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability.
• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell.
• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1. To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions we also offer two additional floating holidays. Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell
• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell
• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell:Total Rewards | Working at Cornell.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

University Job Title

Technician III

Job Family

Technical

Level

C

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

Pay Range

$24.31 - $26.87

Remote Option Availability

Onsite

Company

Endowed

Contact Name

Keionda Lewis

Contact Email

[e-mail]

Job Titles And Pay Ranges

Non-Union Positions

Noted Pay Ranges Reflect The Potential Pay Opportunity For Each Job Profile. The Hiring Rate Of Pay For The Successful Candidate Will Be Determined Considering The Following Criteria

• Prior relevant work or industry experience
• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position
• Unique applicable skills
• Academic Discipline

To learn more about Cornell’s non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator.

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

EEO Statement

Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of "... any person ... any study." No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.