{"id":2472498,"url":"https://alion.io/job/virginia-tech-postdoctoral-associateresearch-scientist-seafood-chemistry-quality-and-value-added-processing","title":"Postdoctoral Associate/Research Scientist - Seafood Chemistry, Quality, and Value-Added Processing","company":{"id":35633,"name":"Virginia Tech","domain":"vt.edu","url":"https://alion.io/company/virginia-tech-news","size_band":"1001-5000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"PageUp","truth_index":{"grade":"B","score":79,"open_postings":41,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.854,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":48,"computed_at":"2026-10-31T05:58:55Z"}},"role":"Science & Research","role_family":"Science & Research","seniority":"junior","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Hampton, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":53550,"max":65029,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":65029},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":1,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-10-13T19:00:00Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-13","last_verified_at":"2026-10-31T14:39:50Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":17,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":17},"description":"Job Description\nThe Feng Research Group at Virginia Tech invites applications for a Postdoctoral Associate or Research Scientist to lead laboratory research on the chemistry, quality, safety, and value-added utilization of seafood. The position is based at the Virginia Seafood AREC in Hampton, VA, and supports federally and industry-funded projects on Chesapeake Bay wild-caught blue catfish, commercial clams, and other domestic seafood species. The selected candidate will work closely with seafood processors, extension specialists, and a multi-institutional research team.\nAt the Postdoctoral Associate level the position will:\nThe Postdoctoral Associate will conduct laboratory research on the chemistry, quality, safety, and value-added utilization of seafood in the Feng Research Group at the Virginia Seafood Agricultural Research and Extension Center (AREC) in Hampton, VA. The position supports federally and industry-funded projects on Chesapeake Bay wild-caught blue catfish, commercial clams, and other domestic seafood species, and works closely with seafood processors, Extension specialists, and a multi-institutional research team.\nUnder the mentorship of the faculty supervisor, the Postdoctoral Associate will generate nutritional, flavor, mineral, and contaminant data that support evidence-based marketing, product development, and Extension programming for Virginia's seafood industry. This advances the land-grant research and Extension mission of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Virginia Tech. The appointment is a research training position intended to prepare the incumbent for an independent career in academia or research.\nAt the Research Scientist level the position will:\nThe Research Scientist will lead laboratory research on the chemistry, quality, safety, and value-added utilization of seafood in the Feng Research Group at the Virginia Seafood Agricultural Research and Extension Center (AREC) in Hampton, VA. The position supports federally and industry-funded projects on Chesapeake Bay wild-caught blue catfish, commercial clams, and other domestic seafood species, and works closely with seafood processors, Extension specialists, and a multi-institutional research team.\nThe Research Scientist will independently lead defined research components, manage day-to-day laboratory operations and analytical method development, supervise research staff and students, and contribute to grant proposals as PI or co-PI where appropriate. The resulting nutritional, flavor, mineral, and contaminant data support evidence-based marketing, product development, and Extension programming for Virginia's seafood industry, advancing the land-grant research and Extension mission of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Virginia Tech.\nResponsibilities (both ranks)\nConduct nutritional composition analyses of seafood using AOAC official methods, including proximate composition, fatty acid profiles (with emphasis on omega-3 fatty acids), amino acids, and minerals.\nCharacterize seafood flavor chemistry, including volatile aroma compounds and off-flavor compounds (e.g., geosmin, 2-methylisoborneol) by GC-MS and related techniques, and non-volatile taste compounds.\nQuantify essential minerals and contaminants of concern (e.g., iodine, selenium, zinc, mercury, lead, arsenic) using ICP-OES/ICP-MS with appropriate QA/QC procedures.\nEvaluate texture, shelf life, and lipid oxidation, and support consumer sensory studies.\nContribute to the recovery and characterization of value-added ingredients from fish processing byproducts (e.g., fish oil, collagen, protein hydrolysates).\nCoordinate large-scale sample collection and data management across sizes, seasons, and locations with industry partners.\nAnalyze data, prepare peer-reviewed manuscripts, project reports, and Virginia Cooperative Extension publications.\nSupport Extension and outreach activities, including industry training, chef workshops, and stakeholder meetings.\nTrain and assist in mentoring graduate and undergraduate students in the laboratory.\nAdditional responsibilities at the Research Scientist rank\nIndependently lead defined research components and manage day-to-day laboratory operations and instrument method development.\nSupervise and mentor research staff and students.\nContribute substantively to, and serve as PI or co-PI on, grant proposals as appropriate.\nRequired Qualifications\nRequired qualifications at the Postdoctoral Associate Level:\nPh.D. in Food Science, Food Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition, Biological/Agricultural Engineering, or a closely related field. PhD must be awarded no more than four years prior to the effective date of appointment with a minimum of one year eligibility remaining.\nHands-on experience with chromatographic and/or elemental analytical techniques (e.g., GC-MS, LC-MS, HPLC, ICP-OES/ICP-MS) applied to food or biological matrices.\nExperience with sample preparation, method validation, and quality control for quantitative analysis.\nRecord of peer-reviewed publications as a lead author.\nStrong communication skills.\nRequired qualifications at the Research Scientist Level:\nMaster’s degree, Bachelor's + 5 years post-bachelor’s experience in Food Science, Food Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition, Biological/Agricultural Engineering, or a closely related field by the start date.\nHands-on experience with chromatographic and/or elemental analytical techniques (e.g., GC-MS, LC-MS, HPLC, ICP-OES/ICP-MS) applied to food or biological matrices.\nExperience with sample preparation, method validation, and quality control for quantitative analysis.\nRecord of peer-reviewed publications as a lead author.\nStrong communication skills.\nDemonstrated ability to independently design and lead research projects.\nExperience mentoring students or research personnel.\nExperience contributing to competitive grant proposals.\nPreferred Qualifications\nPreferred qualifications at the Postdoctoral Associate Level:\nResearch experience with seafood, aquaculture, or other muscle foods.\nExperience in flavor or off-flavor chemistry, including aroma extraction (e.g., SAFE, SPME) and GC-olfactometry.\nExperience with non-targeted analysis and chemometric or multivariate statistical tools.\nExperience with AOAC methods for proximate and fatty acid analysis.\nExperience with sensory evaluation or consumer studies.\nExperience with food byproduct valorization or bioprocessing (e.g., lipid, protein, or collagen extraction).\nFamiliarity with rapid or non-destructive sensing methods (e.g., hyperspectral imaging, spectroscopy).\nExperience delivering Extension or outreach programs to industry or community audiences.\nPreferred qualifications at the Research Scientist Level:\nResearch experience with seafood, aquaculture, or other muscle foods.\nExperience in flavor or off-flavor chemistry, including aroma extraction (e.g., SAFE, SPME) and GC-olfactometry.\nExperience with non-targeted analysis and chemometric or multivariate statistical tools.\nExperience with AOAC methods for proximate and fatty acid analysis.\nExperience with sensory evaluation or consumer studies.\nExperience with food byproduct valorization or bioprocessing (e.g., lipid, protein, or collagen extraction).\nFamiliarity with rapid or non-destructive sensing methods (e.g., hyperspectral imaging, spectroscopy).\nExperience delivering Extension or outreach programs to industry or community audiences.\nOvertime Status\nExempt: Not eligible for overtime\nAppointment Type\nRestricted\nSalary Information\n$53,550-$65,029 (PostDoc); $65,000-$75,000 (Research Scientist)\nHours per week\n40 hours per week\nReview Date\n11/02/2026\nAdditional Information\nApplicants should submit:\n1. A cover letter describing research experience, fit with the position, and the rank for which they wish to be considered\n2. A curriculum vitae, including the date the doctoral degree was or will be conferred\n3. Contact information for three professional references\nReview of applications will begin on November 2, 2026 and continues until the position is filled. The selected candidate must pass a criminal background check. This is a restricted appointment; continued employment depends on the availability of funding, the need for services, and satisfactory performance.\nFor questions about the position, contact Dr. Yiming Feng at .\nAbout Virginia Tech\nDedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes.A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.\nVirginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.\nVirginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.\nIf you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Dr. Yiming Feng at  during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the 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