Sr. Microscopy Scientist - Golden Valley, MN

JOB OVERVIEW:

As the Senior Scientist - Microscopy for Innovation, Technology, and Quality (ITQ) in Medallion Labs, you will be responsible for providing structural insights into food, food ingredients, and packaging for General Mills. In this role, you will have the opportunity to advance technical capabilities and leverage deep problem-solving skills as a subject matter expert.

This position has primary responsibilities to provide specialized technical support of ITQ (platforms, technology creation, and select manufacturing plant-based initiatives), as well as internal Medallion lab operations. This support will include developing new methods and technologies to support key business needs, as well as providing feedback, guidance, troubleshooting, and communication on matters related to microscopy analysis.

The right candidate for this role will leverage curiosity, embrace continuous learning, have a strong ability to communicate scientific knowledge into product insight, and possess strong technical problem-solving skills. Your ability to perform structure-function analysis as it relates to ingredient functionality, processability, rheological properties, sensory attributes, stability, product quality, and defects will be a key enabler for success.

ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Provide key structural insights that support new technical and business opportunities
• Strengthen patent claims by defining ingredient functionality and processing parameters by unique microstructure
• Develop new microscopy methods that provide a strategic technical advantage
• Partner with General Mills scientists to develop structure-function insights to enable engineering innovative new products
• Provide structural insights to evaluate cost-saving ingredients and processes that do not compromise product quality or safety
• Prioritize projects requiring structure function analysis, and problem-solving expertise for product development, processing, and consumer safety issues
• Global technology transfer

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's Degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Food Science, or other related fields AND 3-5 years of relevant experience OR Ph.D in Materials Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Food Science or other related fields AND 0-2 years of relevant experience
• Experience with Technical Application Equipment and Processes
  • Light microscopy, polarized light microscope, and wide-field fluorescence
  • Confocal microscopy and spectral imaging
  • Multispectral imaging
  • Environmental scanning electron microscopy with wet STEM experience a plus
  • Energy dispersive X-ray analysis
  • Atomic force microscopy and nanomechanical analysis for biological specimens and materials
  • Image analysis
  • New method development
    • Ability to utilize available resources to answer strategic questions fast
• Ability to challenge assumptions and build robust technical plans to test hypotheses and excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects to execute clients' expectations of timing and deliverables
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written) while managing clients' expectations of timing and deliverables
• Instrument maintenance and development of lab protocols
• Expereince with structure function analysis of foods and materials
• Ability to multitask and reprioritize to meet strategic business needs
• Willingness to travel (10%)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 8+ years of relevant experience in the field of Microscopy
• Experience working in the food industry within Microscopy
• An understanding of product development processes or applied sciences that relate to innovation, renovation or cost savings for finished products through the commercialization process
• Ability to collaborate in a cross-functional and external environment and provide key product guidance
• Strong leadership and strategic thinking

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS:

• Applicants for this position must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis, and General Mills will not sponsor applicants for this position for work visas.
• This role is located in Golden Valley, MN and will not consider remote applicants or international applications. General Mills will provide relocation to the candidate selected for this role as long as they meet the relocation assistance policy.
• This position is intended to function as a Technical Expert within our Medallion Labs, and the desire is for this individual to be in the role for 4 years or more to build the technical depth and rigor.

We exist to make food the world loves. But we do more than that. Our company is a place that prioritizes being a force for good, a place to expand learning, explore new perspectives and reimagine new possibilities, every day. We look for people who want to bring their best - bold thinkers with big hearts who challenge one other and grow together. Because becoming the undisputed leader in food means surrounding ourselves with people who are hungry for what's next.