Associate Scientist

Title: Associate Scientist
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Company: Fortune 100 Food & Beverage Manufacturing (FuseGlobal has worked with this company for 20 years)
Initial term: 12 months (position expected to run longer)

POSITION SUMMARY: 

The Associate Scientist is a key role in the Global Digital Solutions Group. This group is responsible for developing the algorithms, AI, and pet expert logic (PEDT) that deliver personalized behavior, health, wellness and nutrition insights from a pet’s acquired data. This position is responsible for coordinating the collection of the high-quality pet-training data (sensor data, labelled video and other data in time-series) used as the primary input supporting data scientist development of the insight-generating AI within commercial IoT, diagnostic, and other digital products. This includes planning, organizing and aligning experimental design for data collection from recruited external pets with a vast array of technologies. The person in this position will play an integral role in the development and management of external data collection cohorts and serve as the representative of the team in coordinating with both internal and external customers to align on priorities and ensure effective data collection. This person will also assist with the coordination of internal experts in the development of decision tree logic to translate pet data into meaningful insights regarding pet behavior and health. This person will also assist in the development of training material for internal knowledge transfer and onboarding (research methods, protocols, standards) as well as information that could be external facing to pet owners (tips/tricks to help pet owners interact with their pets and connected devices). This role is responsible for coordinating the data collection and processing efforts from inception through all stages with minimal supervision.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Plan, organize, and coordinate the necessary external data collection efforts as required to deliver high-quality pet-training data (sensor data, labelled video, and other data in time-series) from external recruited cohorts in support of the Digital Solutions projects and collaborations

• Provide product/process input and assistance within the group and with business or external partners (e.g., marketing, PTC groups, or support to external clinical trials) as required on projects

• Coordinate the testing of the company's and competitors' digital products, providing feedback and advice regarding technical feasibility evaluation, form, function, and safety of digital products that require pet interaction.

• Participate and contribute as a member of cross-functional teams as assigned

• Function as a lead in coordinating external data collection efforts in coordination with data scientists and R&D scientists. Required activities include, but are not limited to:
  - Writing and submitting protocols
  - Managing tests within Prelude
  - Completing all required documentation and reporting in a timely manner

• Adherence to company policy on protection of patent rights and intellectual property

• Knowledge of, and compliance with, the Animal Welfare Act and all procedures and protocols in the company's pet care manual

• Ensure all appropriate documents and project records are filed in accordance with knowledge management policies

• Effectively communicate results through oral presentations and timely, written technical documentation and reports

• Conduct all activity in compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), and all required company policies and procedures

• Travel as necessary

• Practice safety in the work area.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Contribute to the development of the company's core competence in pet IoT and digital technologies

• Maintain a good working knowledge of current IoT and digital technologies

• Maintain and improve upon the communications between R&D and external collaborators

• Continued development of scientific and project management skills

• Integrate Excel spreadsheets into Power BI dashboards to visualize trends and metrics

• Flexibility in learning new software packages/applications

• Additional duties as assigned

SUPERVISION GIVEN AND RECEIVED:

• Receive direction from the director of the Digital Solutions Team

 

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited college/university in Ethology, Biology, Zoology, Psychology, Biobehavioral Health, Anthrozoology, Animal Science, or related discipline, with an emphasis in Animal Behavior

• Experience in executing data collection and processing protocols

• Experience using behavior coding software (e.g., Noldus, Mangold) or processes (e.g., direct labeling in Excel or custom software) to label behavior from video footage

• Ability to work with internal/external customers to assess needs, aid, and resolve problems, using excellent problem-solving skills and verbal/written communication to non-technical audiences

• Ability to communicate well with others and independently manage tasks

• Experience in training, education, SOP development, and/or demonstration of effective knowledge transfer skills

• Understanding of human-pet interaction, human-technology interaction, and/or pet-technology interaction

• Experience working with cats and dogs

• Excellent communication, analytical, facilitation, and problem-solving skills

• Strong attention to detail

• The ability to communicate to others through insightful visualizations, reports, and presentations

• Good people skills and ability to influence without authority

• Quantitative reasoning and practical thinking

• Ability to write and maintain technical and non-technical instructions in the use of programs/reports and/or program/report modifications, in addition to presenting results as needed

• Strong organizational, communication, and project management skills

• Ability to effectively train people on new skills, techniques, or technology

• Must be highly motivated, independent, and able to work collaboratively in a cross-functional team environment

• Good sense of business/technical interrelationships

• Must be able to manage multiple projects/priorities

• Computer literacy (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Co-Pilot, Power BI)

• Pro-active/Self-Starter

SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS PREFERRED BUT NOT REQUIRED:

• Experience in computer programming and/or information technology
• Experience with digital tools for data organization and visualization (e.g., PowerApps)
• Experience with biological sample collection, handling, cataloging and storage.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

• $35.50 per hour + overtime
• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k)
• Disability insurance
  
  

ABOUT FuseGlobal:
FuseGlobal is a partnership of people and brand-leading companies, working together to make things run better. For 25 years we have brought functionality to complex business and production processes and supply chains, resulting in enterprises that run smarter and more sustainably. Interested in digital manufacturing, industrial engineering, supply chain management, all-things tech, and energy & the environment? This is where we live. Engage with us!

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