Research Associate Food Science Jobs in Mount Prospect, IL

Research Associate Position Details

Compensation: $65,000 to $70,000 annually, commensurate with experience
Position Type/Schedule: Full time, exempt. Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Occasional weekend work may be required. This position is fully on site; remote work is not available.
Work Location: Illinois Tech, Michael Paul Galvin Tower, 10 West 35th Street, Chicago, IL 60616.
Work Authorization: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States, both presently and for the duration of employment with the university.

Summary

The Center for Nutrition Research (CNR) at Illinois Tech conducts human nutrition and clinical studies to evaluate the health benefits of foods and food components across a variety of specialty areas and to substantiate health claims through scientific evidence.

The Research Associate supports CNR’s research portfolio through data analytics, statistical analysis, machine learning, and data science. Working closely with Principal Investigators and the research team, the position analyzes complex biomedical and population health data, supports grant and contract deliverables, and contributes to research related to nutrition, lifestyle, clinical characteristics, biomarkers, genetics, environmental exposures, and health outcomes.

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities

• Apply statistical, data science, and machine learning methods to biomedical, nutrition, clinical, and population health research data.
• Prepare, analyze, validate, and interpret complex datasets, including clinical, biomarker, genomic, survey, and digital health data.
• Work with Principal Investigators and research teams to support study objectives, analytical plans, grant and contract deliverables, and related research activities.
• Contribute analyses and scientific content for reports, manuscripts, presentations, proposals, publications, and other research outputs.
• Maintain accurate research documentation and follow appropriate data management, quality control, confidentiality, and security practices.
• Complete and maintain required training, authorizations, and access requirements for secure research systems, networks, facilities, and databases.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Computational Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Applied Math or a related field, with experience working with nutrition, clinical, medical, or health related data and a demonstrated record of peer reviewed scientific publications.
• Experience conducting statistical, computational, or data driven analysis using large or complex datasets in a research, scientific, healthcare, biomedical, public health, or related environment.
• Proficiency with programming, data analysis, machine learning, artificial intelligence, visualization, and database tools, (e.g., Python, R, SQL, PyTorch, TensorFlow/Keras, Pandas, Matplotlib, and Seaborn).
• Strong analytical, problem solving, organizational, and communication skills, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively with multidisciplinary research teams while maintaining confidentiality and applicable data security requirements.
• Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) certification. Candidates who do not hold current CITI certification at the time of hire must obtain the required certification within the first five workdays of employment at no cost to the employee.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with SAS programming.

Required Application Materials

• Resume or curriculum vitae
• Cover letter

Service Standards and Performance Expectations

• Expected to produce accurate, timely, and scientifically sound work while maintaining appropriate standards of research integrity, confidentiality, and data security.
• The position requires effective collaboration, sound professional judgment, and the ability to manage multiple research priorities and project deadlines.

Supervision & Budget Authority

• Supervises student workers and volunteers as assigned.
• No independent budget authority.

Physical Qualifications

Primarily involves work in an office, research, and computer-based environment and requires the ability to perform prolonged computer-based work and use standard office and research technology.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position, consistent with applicable law.

Benefits

Illinois Tech offers eligible employees a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage; life and long-term disability insurance; a 403(b) retirement plan with university contributions and matching for eligible employees; tuition assistance programs; flexible spending and commuter benefits; an employee assistance program; university holidays; and applicable paid and job-protected leave benefits. Eligibility, waiting periods, employee contributions, and coverage levels vary by benefit and position. Our commitment to employee well-being is reflected in our competitive benefits package located here: Benefits Summary

EEO Statement

Illinois Institute of Technology is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA employer dedicated to building a community of excellence, equity, inclusion, and diversity. It is committed to fostering an inclusive environment and actively seeks applications from individuals of all backgrounds and identities, regardless of race, color, sex, marital status, religion, national origin, disability, age, unfavorable discharge from the military, status as a protected veteran, sexual orientation, including gender identity and expression, order of protection status, and/or genetic information. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment.