Junior Food Scientist – Research & Development

We are seeking a motivated Junior Food Scientist to join our Research & Development team. This position will work in the R&D Center, supporting product trials, process development, testing, and data analysis for customers in the food, dairy, and beverage industries.

The Junior Food Scientist will work closely with food scientists, process engineers, laboratory personnel, and customers to evaluate products and develop effective membrane filtration and processing solutions. This is an excellent opportunity for an early-career professional who enjoys hands-on laboratory and pilot-plant work and wants to build experience in food science and process technology.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist with laboratory testing, pilot trials, product evaluations, and process-development projects.
• Prepare product samples, ingredients, processing equipment, and testing materials.
• Operate laboratory and pilot-scale food-processing and membrane-filtration equipment.
• Collect samples and perform analytical testing throughout product trials.
• Accurately record process conditions, observations, test results, and other trial data.
• Analyze data and assist with preparing technical reports, summaries, and customer recommendations.
• Support the development and optimization of membrane-filtration processes, including microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, and reverse osmosis.
• Assist with product formulation, process troubleshooting, scale-up activities, and proof-of-concept testing.
• Clean, sanitize, inspect, and maintain laboratory and pilot equipment according to established procedures.
• Follow food-safety, sanitation, quality, and workplace-safety requirements.
• Maintain an organized laboratory environment and monitor supplies, samples, and testing materials.
• Collaborate with customers, vendors, engineers, and internal departments during R&D projects.
• Assist with customer demonstrations and trials conducted at the R&D Center.
• Research new ingredients, technologies, processes, and industry trends.
• Protect confidential customer, product, formulation, and process information.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Dairy Science, Chemistry, Biology, Chemical Engineering, Bioprocess Engineering, or a related field.
• Zero to three years of related laboratory, food-processing, product-development, or manufacturing experience.
• Internship, cooperative education, university research, or pilot-plant experience is preferred.
• Familiarity with food-processing principles, sanitation practices, and laboratory testing methods.
• Experience with dairy, beverage, protein, ingredient, or membrane-filtration applications is beneficial but not required.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and documentation skills.
• Ability to follow detailed procedures while adapting to changing trial conditions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a cross-functional environment.
• Willingness to learn new equipment, testing methods, and process technologies.

Physical and Work Requirements

• Ability to work in laboratory, pilot-plant, office, and manufacturing environments.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during product trials.
• Ability to lift and move up to 50 pounds with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to safely handle food products, ingredients, cleaning chemicals, and laboratory materials.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment.
• Willingness to work occasional extended or adjusted hours based on trial schedules.
• Limited travel may be required for customer trials, equipment testing, training, or industry events.

Must be legally authorized to live and work in the United States.