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Research Assistant R&D Cocoa Science

Posted Date:  Jun 18, 2026
Requisition Number:  129214

Location: Hershey, PA

 

Summary

 

The successful candidate for this position will work with technical staff under close supervision of members of the Cocoa Science team to develop enabling food technologies.  The Research Assistant position provides project assistance in high and medium complexity projects with support or leads workstreams within larger projects with guidance and support. The individual will follow standard work methods or specific instructions required to support material characterization, prototype development, inventory management, test product production,  and pilot plant scale-up. The individual must also be competent with data entry, analysis, basic calculations, computer applications, and organoleptic evaluations.

 

The successful candidate will report to the group’s Manager and support multiple scientists. 

 

Responsibilities

 

Project Leadership:

 

  • Leads small projects or segments of larger projects.
  • Manages timelines and deliverables, plans and executes experiments with autonomy,
  • Oversees temporary labor deliverables and coordination
  • Manages communication of status and results to the team and supervisors.

 

Project Support

 

  • Support pilot plant runs including set-up and clean-up
  • Prepare bench-top formulations of test products
  • Coordinate procurement, receipt, and storage of ingredients
  • Input lot tracking information
  • Coordinate shelf-life testing studies
  • Learn and operate a variety of standard analytical testing and process equipment.  
  • Data analysis and Interpretation

 

Lab Maintenance

 

  • Maintain inventory of supplies and restock as necessary.
  • Ensure that needed lab equipment is available and functional.
  • Maintain clean and orderly lab area.
  • Procure basic ingredients as needed

 

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements: 

 

  • Excellent Organizational & Communication skills
  • Highly adaptable to chaging business priorities
  • Good mathematical skills
  • Basic understanding of Good Manufacturing Practices
  • Working knowledge of Word and Excel
  • Comfortable operating lab and pilot plant equipment
  • Capable of working in a team environment and independently in a flexible work environment with dynamic priorities
  • Demonstrated ability of a basic working technical knowledge
  • BA/BS degree in a technical field - Food science, Life-science or Biology-related degree is highly preferred.
  • Experience in Food processing, Quality, or Food Analysis is preferred 

 

 

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The Hershey Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The policy of The Hershey Company is to extend opportunities to qualified applicants and employees on an equal basis regardless of an individual's race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other categories protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.
 
The Hershey Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Minority/Female/Disabled/Protected Veterans.  

You may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our online application process as a result of a disability.
You can request an accommodation via phone or email.  

To request an accommodation via phone, please call +1 877-804-1794 and leave a voicemail with your contact information.  You may also email a request for accommodation to ApplicationHelp@hersheys.com. Please be sure to include “Accommodation Needed” in the subject line. This will ensure that your email is routed to the appropriate contact who will handle your request.


Nearest Major Market: Harrisburg

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