Wheat Quality Lab Research Assistant

Limagrain; Windsor (CO); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Limagrain is seeking a Wheat Quality Lab Research Assistant to support the Wheat Quality Lab by performing end-use quality tests on experimental wheat lines and varieties, ensuring mill and bake qualities meet expectations of farmers and end-users across North America.

You will prioritize and prepare incoming samples, analyze kernel hardness (SKCS), protein by NIR, falling number, and milling yield; assess dough and bread quality; generate clear results; and maintain lab equipment in a safe,

Qualifications

• Proficiency in good laboratory techniques and safety.
• Desire and ability to learn lab baking as needed.
• Strong attention to detail and data interpretation.

Responsibilities

• Prioritize, organize and prepare incoming wheat samples for testing.
• Analyze kernel hardness (SKCS), protein (NIR), falling number, and milling yield.
• Evaluate milled flour performance using NIR, gluten quality, and solvent retention.
• Assess end-product quality including bread and noodles for US/Canada markets.
• Communicate accurate results of quality testing.
• Calibrate and maintain lab equipment; troubleshoot issues as needed.
• Operate lab equipment interfaced with computer software.
• Maintain a clean, safe lab environment following policy.
• Assist other teams within Limagrain Field Seeds as needed.

Skills

Lab techniques

Communication

Project planning

Teamwork

Judgment

Professionalism

Adaptability

Attendance

Dependability

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

Associate degree with equivalent experience

Job description

Job Title: Wheat Quality Lab Research Assistant

Contract type: Permanent

Job Description:

Function

Wheat Quality Lab Research Assistant

Main Goal

As the Quality Lab Assistant, you will be responsible for supporting the Limagrain Cereal Seeds Wheat Quality Lab by performing various end-use quality tests on experimental wheat lines and varieties, working to ensure that new wheat varieties being released have acceptable mill and bake qualities that meet the expectations of farmers and end-users.

Job description

• Prioritize, organize and prepare incoming wheat samples for testing from the breeding programs in US and Canada. Work with Lab Manager and breeders to determine testing needs by wheat class, breeding stage, number of samples and deadline.
• Analyze physical grain attributes such as kernel hardness (SKCS), protein (NIR), falling number, and flour milling yield.
• Evaluate performance of milled flour using NIR for protein, moisture and ash; gluten quality (mixograph, farinograph and extensograph); solvent retention profile for soft wheat and falling number.
• Evaluate end-product quality attributes, including bread and cookie baking and noodle quality for both US and Canadian markets.
• Reliably generate, summarize and communicate accurate results of quality testing.
• Perform routine calibration and maintenance of lab equipment to ensure accuracy of results. Troubleshoot equipment problems to identify causes & resolve issues as needed.
• Competently operate laboratory equipment interfaced with computer software.
• Maintain a lab environment that is clean, orderly and safe by following proper policies andprocedures of LCS.
• Assist other teams within LCS as needed to meet overall company goals.

What we expect of you

• Technical Skills – Demonstrated knowledge of good laboratory techniques. Mill and bake skills are not necessary but they must have the desire and ability to learn to become the lab baker.
• Interpersonal Skills – Possess strong leadership and communication skills. Ability to develop and maintain productive work relationships with various positions within the organization such as research associates, breeders, lab personnel, sales managers, financial and administrative staff.
• Project Planning & Scheduling- Create and manage detailed project plans, defining tasks, milestones, and resources.
• Teamwork - Team player with a positive attitude. Ability to lead as well as collaborate.
• Judgment - Exhibits sound and accurate judgment. Accepts personal responsibility for tasks fulfillment and job performance.
• Professionalism - Highly self-motivated individual, with a high level of time management and organizational skills and a creative aptitude. Well-organized, committed, accurate and thorough, with attention to detail.
• Adaptability - Ability to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Attendance/Punctuality - Ensures work responsibilities are covered.
• Dependability - Ability to work in an independent and self-directed manner.

Education & work experience required:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field, or Associate Degree in a relevant field with equivalent experience.

Skills

Your benefits and working environment

Recruitment process

Limagrain Field Seeds, with its international multi-crop LG brand is the global Feld Seeds division of Group Limagrain. Limagrain Field Seeds covers all continents with subsidiaries in over 40 countries and sales in 77 countries. Limagrain Field Seeds supplies LG branded seeds of Maize, Wheat, Sunflower, Winter Rape and other regional crops to all farmers large or small. A strong commitment to progress through technology ensures that plant variety improvements arrive continually from 84 research sites and are adapted for maximum local performance.

Limagrain is a global company with deep local roots. Our parent company is an agricultural cooperative based in the Limagne-Val d’Allier plain, in the heart of Central France’s Auvergne region, while we are an international seed and agri-food group with some 9,600 employees working in 53 countries. As the 4th largest seed company in the world, we achieved sales of 2.522 billion euros in 2023-2024, with additional sales of 729 million euros from activities carried out in collaboration with our strategic partners.