Seafood Scientist

**Seafood Food Scientist**

**Overview**

**Perennia Food and Agriculture Corporation **is Nova Scotia’s food industry development agency. We offer client-focused collaborative services to the agriculture and seafood sectors with a focus on sustainable growth, quality and food safety, analytical services and product development. Our highly skilled and collaborative team focuses on superior customer service, proactive solutions, and innovative approaches to meet client needs.

This position is eligible for a hybrid home-based working arrangement with the knowledge that lab-based and project work will be required to be done at the Perennia Innovation Centre located in Bible Hill, Nova Scotia. Some travel for client and corporate activities within Nova Scotia/Atlantic Canada may also be required at times.

**Specific responsibilities include**:

- Working directly with clients to develop product and process specifications for seafood products to meet customer requirement
- Conducting benchtop testing, ingredient sourcing, sample preparation, sensory evaluations and shelf-life studies to optimize product formulations
- Enhancing product quality or cost efficiency by adjusting formulations of existing products, considering aspects like flavor, texture, nutritional value, and the physical, chemical, and microbiological composition
- Conducting research and providing technical guidance to seafood companies related to processing, production, quality and food safety challenges, and developing supporting educational materials and resources to advance sector-wide advancement and learning
- Investigating methods and supporting initiatives to incorporate seafood waste by-products into value-added products, contributing to sustainability and profitability
- Understanding challenges and opportunities for the seafood sector related to climate change and supporting industry adaptation and mitigation effort
- Maintaining comprehensive records of research, testing, and production data and generating quotes and reports for clients as needed
- Staying current on scientific research and emerging trends in the seafood industry, including consumer preferences, sustainability practices, and new technologies
- Networking and fostering partnerships with industry stakeholders by attending conferences and industry events to support entrepreneurship, productivity, and innovation within Nova Scotia’s seafood sector
- BSc. in Food Science with a minimum of three years of industry experience in product development with mandatory seafood experience
- Expertise in product/process development, ingredient research, product formulation, scale-up and commercialization processes
- Experience using laboratory instruments and food production/processing equipment at pilot or commercial scale
- Understanding of commercial fisheries and aquaculture sectors in Atlantic Canada
- Demonstrated knowledge of food science, the fundamentals of food manufacturing, HACCP-based food safety systems and internationally recognized food safety programs
- Knowledge of other non-seafood food products would be considered an asset
- Strong Microsoft Office Suite skills with an emphasis on Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Ability to work individually, and to collaborate with cross-functional teams, to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
- Excellent communication, decision-making, time management, problem solving and organization skills
- Valid driver’s license and access to vehicle
- Strategic business acumen
- Exceptional client service skills when dealing with private and public business
- Professionalism and diplomacy

Perennia is an equal opportunity employer.

**Benefits**:

- Casual dress
- Company events
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible schedule
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- RRSP match
- Vision care
- Wellness program
- Work from home

Schedule:

- Monday to Friday

**Education**:

- Bachelor's Degree (preferred)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Bible Hill, NS