Career Center

Extension Associate/Vinification and Brewing Lab Manager

Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.

Academic Job Description

Department of Food Science

Extension Associate

Vinification and Brewing Lab Manager

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and home to Cornell University's second largest population of students, faculty and staff. We work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education and outreach. The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns: natural and human systems; food, energy and environmental resources; and social, physical and economic well-being. CALS is fundamentally invested in improving the lives of people, their environments and their communities both in New York state and around the world.

Position Function:

The incumbent would play a lead role in coordination of brewing and distilling extension programs and workshops, leveraging connections with faculty, staff, and statewide extension personnel. These would include educational programs supporting the growth and quality improvement of premium craft beverage products throughout the state. Examples include organization of statewide beer and spirits industry workshops, hands- on short-courses, regional meetings, conferences, and coordination of sensory panels for research and extension goals. The incumbent would also oversee operations of the Cornell Vinification and Brewing Technology Laboratory (CVBTL), a pilot plant in Geneva, N.Y., dedicated to furthering wine and brewing success through research and extension. The lab's primary functions are to evaluate craft beverage production products and practices, including new wine grape varieties, winemaking practices, hops varieties, and brewing techniques. Wine, beer, and cider studies are directed at improving the fundamental understanding of processing and product quality, developing useful analytical measurements, discerning relationships between product composition and quality, and designing better equipment and techniques. As part of its outreach mission, the lab hosts workshops and industry seminars that teach the use of equipment and techniques ranging from analysis of juice to distillation of non-traditional beverages.

Anticipated Division of Time:

Outreach Project Program Leadership: 40%

* Independently plan and coordinate day-to-day project organizational needs

* Identify need and demand for specialized training in brewing operations

* Identify relevant funding sources for extension trials and educational programming, including grant submission

* Actively seek out new collaborations with industry groups and other extension personnel

* Collaborate with key personnel at the Cornell Enology Extension Lab, the Cornell Hops Project, and the NYS Malting Barley Education Program to devise coordinated outreach programming

* Design and plan conferences, workshops, short courses and other educational events for state and regional industry stakeholders

* Take lead role in conferences, workshops, and other educational programming aimed at state and regional stakeholders

* Conduct participatory educational events for primary stakeholder groups

* Through digital or other means, disseminate relevant technological advances in brewing and craft beverage production to regional stakeholders

* Coordinate with appropriate personnel to setup and manage databases of registrants, fees, and course completion * Independently create and maintain email database in cooperation with industry organizations to enable consistent communication surrounding current projects

* Create and maintain project website

* Present research results at scientific conferences

Brewing Analysis: 20%

* Identify need and demand for specialized beer and brewing ingredient analyses

* Be knowledgeable of federal and state requirements for craft beverage analysis

* Coordinate with other regional labs (eg, Hartwick College and Hops and Malting Barley Extension at Cornell) to provide compatible analysis services

* Devise appropriate service fee schedule for analyses offered

* Work with appropriate ASC personnel to set up and manage analysis billing

* Setup and manage database of service analyses

Vinification and Brewing Lab Oversight/Management: 35%

* Coordinate and allocate lab and temperature-controlled room space and resources based on faculty and student requests, both internal an external, for complex beverage production projects.

* Coordinate scheduling for above projects based on available resources and research requirements.

* Organize, schedule and participate in winemaking, brewing, and distilling trials.

* Organize and oversee tastings and workshops for product trials for both internal and external constituents.

* Participate in collaborative projects with industry, based on supervisor guidance and protocols.

* Oversee lab setup and maintenance; order materials and supplies and maintain electronic inventory records.

* Assist in the development and troubleshooting of laboratory protocols.

* Provide direction and training to students, temporary assistants, support staff and visiting scientists on the use of laboratory equipment, methods, techniques and procedures

Other duties and special projects as assigned /Personal and Professional Development: 5%

* Seek and participate in professional development relevant to position

* Perform related duties and special projects as assigned.

Requirements:

Minimum of an MS degree in food science or a related field with a scientific and practical background in brewing and/or spirits production, and two or more years of related work experience. Experience operating pumps, filters, and other brewing/ winemaking equipment. Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build cooperative, effective working relationships with a range of individuals, including industry members, university alumni, faculty, and staff, while creating a high-quality and respectful work environment. Ability to communicate with tact and diplomacy with a wide range of internal and external constituencies. Must be able to work under pressure with a great deal of initiative and have demonstrated ability to handle sensitive/confidential material in a professional manner. A solid understanding of laboratory safety protocols and procedures is necessary. Must possess and maintain valid driver license. Must be able to comfortably lift up to 20 lbs. Some travel may be required.

Experience working in the beer or spirits industry is strongly desired. Proven proficiency with laboratory techniques, ability to understand and make chemical solutions at appropriate concentrations, familiarity with computers and modern software packages, experience with experimental design, data collection, and statistical analysis, and experience with conducting or assisting with the development of trials. Knowledgeable with various computer software programs including databases, spreadsheets, word processing, and email. Experience that demonstrates intrinsic motivation, flexibility/adaptability, creativity and problem-solving skills. Sound judgment, excellent reasoning and decision-making skills, meticulous record keeping and ability to work with diverse personalities. Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple projects. Confidence to consult with supervisor on questionable situations.

Pay Range:

Pay Ranges:

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.

• Academic Discipline (faculty pay ranges reflects 9-month annual salary)

• Unique applicable skills.

Employment Assistance:

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also visit the office of Workforce Recruitment and Retention Monday - Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. to use a dedicated workstation to complete an online application.

Notice to Applicants:

EEO Statement:

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University's heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations. Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students, and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose, and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery, and engagement.