PX Associate Researcher I (Sensory and Consumer Research)

Location: On-site in South Brunswick or Union Beach, New Jersey, USA; travel between both locations is required one day per week as business needs require.

Salary: $52,556–$75,080 per year.

Company

hirify.global develops flavors, fragrances, food ingredients, health and bioscience solutions, and innovative taste technologies.

What you will do

• Manage and lead descriptive sensory and consumer panels, including recruitment, scheduling, attendance tracking, performance reviews, and panel development.
• Plan and oversee sensory panel activities across multiple projects, aligning priorities, timelines, methodologies, and quality standards.
• Partner with Creation & Design teams and PX Researchers to define testing objectives, review ballots, select samples, and provide project feedback.
• Verify product and sample readiness, including quality, organoleptic characteristics, serving conditions, delivery requirements, and testing protocols.
• Analyze sensory and discrimination test data, prepare reports, maintain databases and study documentation, and support project deliverables.
• Coordinate consumer research with vendors and internal stakeholders while coaching the Panel Assistant and supporting sensory capability development.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biology, Psychology, or a related scientific discipline.
• One to three years of laboratory experience; sensory laboratory experience is highly preferred.
• Knowledge of sensory evaluation methodologies, sensory research principles, sensory statistics, and data interpretation.
• Experience with sensory data collection platforms such as EyeQuestion, Compusense, or similar tools.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel and Word, with strong organizational, project management, communication, and data-quality skills.
• Ability to work on-site and travel between South Brunswick and Union Beach one day per week as required.

Nice to have

• Experience leading descriptive sensory panels or consumer research studies.
• Curiosity, willingness to learn, comfort with ambiguity, and interest in advancing sensory science best practices.

Culture & Benefits

• Work with experts in sensory and consumer science.
• Exposure to innovative taste technologies and product development projects.
• Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth.
• Hands-on experience across descriptive sensory and consumer research methodologies.
• Mileage reimbursement for business travel between South Brunswick and Union Beach.