Sensory Panelist

The Center for Dairy Research is looking for individuals passionate about all types of foods, but especially cheese, pizza and other dairy products. Once hired, we will train you to become part of a group of expert tasters capable of verbally describing their sensory experience on the basis of appearance, texture, taste and aroma attributes for research and product development purposes. Panelists should expect to be tasting 30-50 various product samples a week like cheese, pizza, yogurt, etc. Panelists must be reliable and available for 3-hour consecutive periods (1 session) and up to 3 sessions per week.

1. Responsible for describing a range of food products in terms of appearance, texture, aroma, and flavor. Recognize and learn these attributes and evaluate them accurately and reliably using the prescribed scales and scale references. 20%

2. Actively participate and collaborate in descriptive panel discussions describing product attributes, attribute definitions, creation of scales, and reference anchoring. 20%

3. Responsible for completely and accurately entering own scoring data into electronic ballots. 10%

4. Responsible for accurately following instructions on sample evaluation, use of scale and ballot completion given by the Descriptive Panel Leader(s). 20%

5. Attend and participate fully in all training discussions given for each product area and project to ensure continued understanding of product attributes and scale references. 20%

6. Actively participate in panelist performance monitoring studies, bi-annual taste acuity rescreening and subsequent retraining when necessary to ensure consistent performance in attribute evaluation. 10%

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: Diversity and Inclusion

Required:
- Full training will be provided upon hire
- Demonstrated ability to interact effectively in a team environment
- Basic computer/tablet skills are needed for data entry

Preferred:
- Sensory panelist experience with food products
- Preference will be given to candidates available to work a minimum of a year

Candidates must have availability to consistently work 1-2 sessions/week as scheduled. Sessions are currently held on Tuesdays between 9am-12pm and on Thursdays between 1-4pm. A third session may be added seasonally. There are no sessions on Mondays or Fridays.

It is anticipated this position requires work be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location.

Terminal appointment.
This position has the possibility to be extended based on need and/or funding.

Minimum $16.50 HOURLY
Depending on Qualifications
The anticipated starting salary for this position is $16.50/hour. Actual salary will be based on experience and qualifications.

- Sensory panelists taste approximately 50 samples per day, some of which may not be appetizing
- University sponsorship is not available for this position
- The successful applicant will be responsible for ensuring eligibility for employment in the United States by the start of the appointment.

Click on the "Apply Online" button to start the application process. You will be prompted to upload the following documents/Application Materials:

Resume (required) - Detail your educational and professional background

Cover letter (required), Refer to your related work experience

It is important that your cover letter and resume reflect your experience for this position related to the Qualifications section. Your application materials will be used during our evaluation to determine your qualifications as they relate to the job. The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process.

Madeilene Hoffman
mbhoffman4@wisc.edu
608-265-2951
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.

Professional Consultant(TE010)

A07-COL OF AG & LIFE SCIENCES/DAIRY RES, CTR FOR

Temporary Employment

312764-CL