"Alerted.org

Position Title:Technical Project Specialist I - Center for Crops Utilization Research

Job Group:Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications:Bachelor's degree

Preferred Qualifications:Experience working in a fermentation facility, pilot plant, food processing environment.

Familiarity with fermentation equipment, including centrifuges, tangential flow filtration systems, high pressure homogenizers, and spray driers.

Experience operating heavy equipment, such as manlift, forklift, telehandler, and tractor.

Experience in formulating, conducting, documenting, and communicating research methods and results.

Knowledge of basic laboratory safety practices, risk assessments, or quality compliance procedures.

Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams or working with industry or university partners.

Job Description:

The Center for Crops Utilization Research (CCUR) in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is seeking a Technical Project Specialist I to support fermentation and pilot plant operations within a dynamic research and industry-collaborative environment. This position provides hands-on support for technical projects, assists with equipment and process operations, and contributes to data generation and documentation that advance research and product development activities. The successful candidate will work closely with supervisors, senior technical staff, and external partners to help ensure project success, operational efficiency, and adherence to safety and quality standards.

Example of Duties

+ Assist with planning and executing technical projects by gathering requirements, preparing materials, organizing resources, and performing assigned experimental steps.

+ Support fermentation and pilot plant operations by completing routine equipment cleaning, basic checks, SIP/CIP procedures, and reporting issues to senior staff.

+ Collect, record, and verify data; maintain accurate documentation of activities; and contribute to preparing reports and presentations for project stakeholders.

+ Coordinate project logistics, including scheduling tasks, maintaining inventory, preparing raw materials, and assisting with risk assessments under supervision.

+ Collaborate with team members to troubleshoot operational challenges, refine project processes, and ensure compliance with safety and quality requirements.

+ Learn and apply standard laboratory and process-development techniques while working closely with supervisors and experienced technical staff.

+ Serve as a liaison to industry or university partners as assigned and perform other duties as needed.

About Us

The Center for Crops Utilization Research (CCUR) supports innovation in bioprocessing, value-added agriculture, and food and industrial product development by providing pilot-scale facilities, fermentation capabilities, and technical expertise to university researchers and industry partners.

This is a term appointment with the possibility of renewal.

Level Guidelines• Individual contributor position with developing professional and/or technical skills working under immediate to general supervision• Grasps professional-level knowledge and concepts of field while working in a progressive learning mode• Works on problems and issues of somewhat limited scope• Follows standard practices and procedures in analyzing situations or data for which answers are available or can be obtained• Responds to inquiries and issues, escalating to manager or higher level workers as appropriate• May lead projects of limited scope and complexity• May provide guidance to students

Appointment Type:Regular with Term Appointment (Fixed Term)

Proposed End Date or Length of Term:November 30, 2026

Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period

Time Type:Full time

Pay Grade:PS808

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae2) Letter of Application/Cover LetterIf you have questions regarding this application process, please email [email protected] or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.Why Choose ISU?Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans• Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)• Life insurance and long-term disability• Flexible Spending Accounts• Various voluntary benefits and discounts• Employee Assistance Program• Wellbeing program

Original Posting Date: December 10, 2025

Posting Close Date:December 17, 2025

Job Requisition Number:R18270

By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University (http://www.iastate.edu/) attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive land-grant mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.

Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community (https://www.iastate.edu/principles-community) . Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.

All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email [email protected].

If you have questions about the application process please email [email protected] or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485. Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email [email protected] or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942.

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.