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Research Associate Food Science Jobs in Fort Mill, SC

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Clinical Research Associate II

Charlotte, NC · Remote

Bachelor's degree in a relevant scientific discipline or healthcare-related field * Extensive experience as a Clinical Research Associate, with a strong understanding of clinical trial processes and ...

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Research Associate Food Science information

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$14

$28

$41

How much do research associate food science jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for research associate food science in Fort Mill, SC is $28.60, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.03 and $32.55 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a research associate food science?

A Research Associate in Food Science conducts experiments and analyzes food products to improve quality, safety, and innovation. They work in laboratories or food production facilities, assisting in research on ingredients, processing methods, and nutritional content. Their responsibilities may include data collection, product testing, and ensuring compliance with food safety regulations. This role often requires a degree in food science, chemistry, or a related field, along with analytical skills and attention to detail.

What does a research associate food science do?

A typical day for a Research Associate in Food Science involves conducting laboratory experiments, preparing samples, and analyzing data to support the development or improvement of food products. You'll often collaborate closely with scientists, technologists, and quality assurance teams to ensure projects meet regulatory standards and business goals. Documenting findings, maintaining lab equipment, and participating in meetings or presentations are also common tasks. This role requires balancing hands-on experimentation with thorough data reporting, making organization and communication skills essential for success.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the research associate food science position?

To thrive as a Research Associate Food Science, you generally need a background in food science, chemistry, or a related field, with experience in laboratory research and data analysis. Familiarity with analytical instruments (such as HPLC, GC, and spectrophotometers), statistical software, and quality control systems is often required, and certifications like HACCP can be valuable. Strong attention to detail, organization, effective communication, and teamwork are key soft skills for this role. These abilities are essential for ensuring experimental accuracy, reliable results, and smooth collaboration within research teams or with cross-functional departments.

What are popular job titles related to Research Associate Food Science jobs in Fort Mill, SC?

For Research Associate Food Science jobs in Fort Mill, SC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities near Fort Mill, SC are hiring for Research Associate Food Science jobs?

Cities near Fort Mill, SC with the most Research Associate Food Science job openings:

Research Associate Food Science jobs near you
Infographic showing various Research Associate Food Science job openings in Fort Mill, SC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 69% Full Time, 30% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,479 per year, or $28.6 per hour.

Postdoctoral Research Associate (Hokmabadi)

Charlotte, NC • On-site

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

6.6

Company rating: 6.6 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

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$50K - $54K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 29 days ago

Job description

Position Information
General Information
Position Number
POST40
Working Title
Postdoctoral Research Associate (Hokmabadi)
Division
Academic Affairs
Department
College of Engineering (Col)
Work Unit
Electrical & Computer Engineering
Work Location
EPIC and Grigg
Vacancy Open To
All Candidates
Position Designation
Post Doc
Employment Type
Temporary - Full-time
Hours per week
40
Work Schedule
Pay Rate
$50,000-$54,000
Minimum Experience/Education
The Postdoctoral appointee must have recently (within the last eight years) been awarded a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Optical Sciences, Materials Science or equivalent doctorate in closely related discipline (e.g., Sc.D., M.D.)
Prior Cleanroom Experience: Extensive, proven hands-on experience working inside a class 100/1000 micro/nano-fabrication cleanroom facility. Deep expertise in lithography, E-beam evaporation, sputtering, and dry/wet etching is strictly required.
Optical Bench Competency: Demonstrated success in designing, constructing, and precision-aligning free-space optical bench components.
Theoretical Foundations: Robust prior experience with the numerical modeling and design of optical or electromagnetic wave structures.
Departmental Preferred Experience, Skills, Training/Education:
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Direct, prior hands-on experience handling and testing active semiconductor laser devices (e.g., microring lasers, VCSELs, laser arrays). Candidates with exceptional optical testing skills in passive systems who demonstrate a strong capability to learn active laser physics will also be fully considered.
  • Experience with instrumentation automation and data acquisition tools (e.g., Python, MATLAB, or LabVIEW).

Duties and Responsibilities
A Postdoctoral Fellow (""postdoc"") is a professional apprenticeship designed to provide recent Ph.D. recipients with an opportunity to develop further the research skills acquired in their doctoral programs or to learn new research techniques, in preparation for an academic or research career. In the process of further developing their own research skills, it is expected that Postdoctoral Fellows will also play a significant role in the performance of research at the University and augment the role of graduate faculty in providing research instruction to graduate students. A Postdoctoral Fellow works under the supervision of a regular faculty member, who serves as a mentor to the Fellow, and it is expected that the faculty mentor will impart the realities, and variety, of scientific careers, and will encourage experiences outside the laboratory to broaden postdocs' aspirations. Within the confines of the particular research focus assigned by that faculty member, the Postdoctoral Fellow functions with a considerable degree of independence and has the freedom (and is expected) to publish the results of his or her research or scholarship during the period of appointment. Thus, the role of Postdoctoral Fellows is clearly differentiated from full-time technical employees.
Postdoc appointments are characterized by all of the following conditions:
* the appointee was recently (within the last eight years) awarded a Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate (e.g., Sc.D., M.D.);
* the appointment is temporary, for up to one year at a time, with renewal possible;
* the total appointment is limited to five years, including time spent in previous postdoctoral appointments at other institutions;
* the appointment involves substantially full-time research or scholarship;
* the appointment is viewed as preparatory for a full-time academic and/or research career;
* the appointee works under the supervision of a faculty member; and
* the appointee has the freedom and is expected to publish the results of his or her research or scholarship during the period of appointment.
Other Work/Responsibilities
The Hokmabadi Research Lab at UNC Charlotte is seeking a highly motivated and talented Postdoctoral Research Associate to lead experimental and fabrication efforts on next-generation optoelectronic devices. Our lab's research spans the domains of optical/terahertz metamaterials, non-Hermitian and supersymmetric optics, photonic integrated circuits (PICs), and semiconductor lasers.
The ideal candidate will take primary responsibility for micro- and nano-fabrication in the cleanroom, as well as the custom design and building of free-space optical bench characterization setups.
Key Responsibilities
1. Cleanroom Micro- and Nano-Fabrication
  • Execute full-cycle micro- and nano-fabrication processes to realize complex metamaterial structures, subwavelength features, and semiconductor laser arrays.
  • Utilize advanced lithography techniques, including standard photolithography and high-precision electron-beam/nano-lithography.
  • Lead thin-film depositions using E-beam evaporation and sputtering systems for both dielectrics and metals.
  • Develop and optimize recipe parameters for anisotropic dry etching (e.g., RIE, ICP-RIE) and targeted wet chemical etching workflows.

2. Optical Bench Characterization & Setup Design
  • Independently engineer, align, and construct custom free-space and fiber-coupled optical bench test setups from scratch on laboratory breadboards.
  • Conduct advanced experimental testing and optoelectronic characterization of metamaterials and semiconductor lasers (including spectrum mapping, L-I-V curves, near/far-field beam profiling, and optical isolation tracking).
  • Troubleshoot, maintain, and automate laboratory instrumentation (spectrometers, detectors, tunable laser sources, RF equipment).

3. Numerical Modeling & Device Design
  • Perform theoretical design and finite-element modeling of electromagnetic fields, spatial phase profiles, and optical cavity layouts using industry-standard simulation software (e.g., COMSOL Multiphysics, Ansys Lumerical FDTD).
  • Analyze complex experimental data and utilize insights to iteratively optimize device architectures.

4. Leadership & Dissemination
  • Prepare high-quality manuscripts for submission to peer-reviewed high-impact journals and present findings at major optics conferences (e.g., CLEO, SPIE).
  • Assist Dr. Hokmabadi in mentoring Ph.D., Master's, and undergraduate students in cleanroom protocols and bench safety.

Necessary Licenses or Certifications
Proposed Hire Date
07/16/2026
Contact Information
Dr. Mohammad P. Hokmabadi (mparvinn@charlotte.edu)
Expected Length of Assignment
12 months
Posting Open Date
06/30/2026
Posting Close Date
Special Notes to Applicants
Please attached the following documents:
  • Comprehensive CV (detailing your specific cleanroom fabrication and optical testing background)
  • Contact information for three professoinal references

Finalist will be subject to a criminal background check

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