Full-time Research Assistant Needed at FAFS

The Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences (FAFS) seeks to appoint a full-time graduate research assistant - on annual basis subject to renewal starting June 2010 - to assist FAFS faculty members in establishing a Food Packaging Center.

RA position for the Packaging and Consumer Unit for Research and Education (Pack-CURE)

The RA will be involved in establishing and launching the Packaging and Consumer Unit for Research and Education (Pack-CURE) which will cover:

- Writing a strategic plan for the unit
- Allocating funding agencies and sponsors
- Writing grant proposals and reports
- Establishing contacts with local and regional (MENA) industries
- Establishing contacts with NGOs and non-profit organizations that provide support for packaging project
- Organizing educational seminars and workshops for professionals, students and consumers
- Planning and executing awareness programs on proper package selection
- Media marketing of the Unit including awareness campaigns
- Training and outreach

Duties:

- Identify and establish contacts with potential partners from the local and regional agro-food industry;
- Coordinate food packaging-related training workshops, conferences and lecture series;
- Assist in designing and running short food packaging-related courses;
- Assist in food packaging research and technical advisory;
- Develop and maintain a website for the center,
- Supervise students in tutorials related to the field of food packaging.

Qualifications:

Minimum qualifications:
- MSc degree in Food Science, Packaging Engineering, Food Process Engineering or related fields of study from an accredited university;
- High level of proficiency in English and Arabic (reading, writing, listening and speaking).

Desirable qualifications:
- Work or research experience in fields related to food packaging;
- Experience in coordinating outreach projects;
- Experience in teaching or training;
- Experience in designing and maintaining websites and databases;
- Proficiency in Microsoft office applications, MAT Lab, Super Pro Design and other engineering software;
- Knowledge of a third language, preferably French.