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Contractual Research Development Chef Jobs in Berkeley, IL

Who You Are The R&D Chef is the culinary architect for the brand, bridging the gap between Michelin-caliber artistry and multi-unit scalability. This role demands a rare hybrid of elite creativity ...

Culinary Development Manager

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$147K/yr

Additionally, the Culinary Development Chef will be responsible for developing and implementing new ... Maintain strategic accountability for all product development and research, including management ...

Additionally, the Culinary Development Chef will be responsible for developing and implementing new ... Maintain strategic accountability for all product development and research, including management ...

REGIONAL CHEF

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$114K - $124K/yr

You will be responsible for the research, testing, development, documenting, training, implementing ... Orientates new Chefs within their respective Core Culinary Standards, and established food programs.

REGIONAL CHEF

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$114K - $124K/yr

You will be responsible for the research, testing, development, documenting, training, implementing ... Orientates new Chefs within their respective Core Culinary Standards, and established food programs.

REGIONAL CHEF

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$114K - $124K/yr

You will be responsible for the research, testing, development, documenting, training, implementing ... Orientates new Chefs within their respective Core Culinary Standards, and established food programs.

REGIONAL CHEF

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$114K - $124K/yr

You will be responsible for the research, testing, development, documenting, training, implementing ... Orientates new Chefs within their respective Core Culinary Standards, and established food programs.

Sous Chef

Chicago, IL

$68K - $73K/yr

Continually working through R&D process with the Executive Chef to further dishes on the menu Qualifications: * Steakhouse experience appreciated, but not required * 2-3 years of experience in a Sous ...

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Showing results 1-20

Contractual Research Development Chef information

See Berkeley, IL salary details

$47.9K

$100.6K

$163.1K

How much do contractual research development chef jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for contractual research development chef in Berkeley, IL is $100,590.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $76,600.00 and $115,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Contractual Research Development Chef vs Research and Development Chef?

AspectContractual Research Development ChefResearch and Development Chef
CredentialsCulinary certifications, food safety, and possibly project managementCulinary certifications, food safety, and innovation skills
Work EnvironmentContract-based, project-specific settings, often with multiple clientsIn-house or corporate kitchens focused on product development
Employer & Industry UsageFood manufacturing, consulting firms, contract kitchensFood companies, restaurants, hospitality industry
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding contract-based culinary R&D rolesIn-house culinary innovation roles

The Contractual Research Development Chef typically works on a project basis for multiple clients, focusing on developing new food products under contract. In contrast, the Research and Development Chef is usually employed full-time within a company, dedicated to ongoing product innovation. Both roles require culinary expertise and food safety knowledge, but their work settings and employment structures differ significantly.

How does a contractual research development chef typically collaborate with product development teams to create new menu items or food products?

As a Contractual Research Development Chef, collaboration with product development teams is a core part of the role. Chefs work closely with food scientists, marketing professionals, and supply chain specialists to conceptualize, test, and refine new recipes or products. This often involves participating in brainstorming sessions, conducting taste tests, providing feedback on ingredient sourcing, and ensuring that new items meet both culinary standards and production feasibility. The chef acts as a bridge between culinary creativity and practical implementation, ensuring that the final product aligns with brand goals and consumer preferences.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a contractual research development chef?

To thrive as a Contractual Research Development Chef, you need extensive culinary expertise, a strong background in food science, and experience with recipe development, often supported by a culinary degree or relevant certifications. Familiarity with kitchen technology, food safety regulations, and product development software is typically required. Creativity, adaptability, and effective collaboration with cross-functional teams are essential soft skills for success. These skills enable the chef to innovate, ensure product quality, and efficiently meet client or company objectives in a dynamic food industry environment.

What is a contractual research development chef?

A Contractual Research Development Chef is a culinary professional hired on a contract basis to create, test, and refine new recipes, menu items, or food products for restaurants, food manufacturers, or hospitality businesses. Their work involves innovation in cooking techniques, food presentation, and ingredient sourcing to meet specific client needs or market trends. They often collaborate with product development teams, conduct taste tests, and ensure new offerings are both delicious and cost-effective. This role is crucial for organizations looking to stay competitive by regularly updating their menus or product lines.
What cities near Berkeley, IL are hiring for Contractual Research Development Chef jobs? Cities near Berkeley, IL with the most Contractual Research Development Chef job openings:
Infographic showing various Contractual Research Development Chef job openings in Berkeley, IL as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,590 per year, or $48.4 per hour.

Senior Director, Research & Development

Tempus

Chicago, IL โ€ข On-site

$173K - $245K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago


Job description

Passionate about precision medicine and advancing the healthcare industry?

Recent advancements in underlying technology have finally made it possible for AI to impact clinical care in a meaningful way. Tempus' proprietary platform connects an entire ecosystem of real-world evidence to deliver real-time, actionable insights to physicians, providing critical information about the right treatments for the right patients, at the right time.

Senior Director, Research & Development

Passionate about advancing precision diagnostics and regulated assay development?

Tempus is seeking a Senior Director, Research & Development to lead late-stage assay and product development across molecular diagnostics, with a focus on design-controlled IVDs, CDx, IUOs, LDTs, assay transfer, and process excellence. This leader will drive complex development programs from concept through launch, partner across R&D and operational functions, and build scalable systems that enable high-quality, inspection-ready product development.

What You'll Do

  • Lead late-stage development, validation, and launch readiness for molecular diagnostic products, including IVD, CDx, IUO, and LDT programs

  • Provide strategic and scientific leadership for design controls, validation planning and execution, design transfer, and post-launch changes

  • Serve as a key cross-functional partner to Regulatory, Quality, Clinical Lab Operations, Bioinformatics, Automation, Program Management, and Pharma Business Development

  • Drive regulatory submission support, including FDA, IVDR, MolDX, NYS, CAP, and other global or regional requirements

  • Oversee documentation strategy and development processes to ensure inspection readiness, consistency, traceability, and scalability

  • Lead complex issue resolution, including deficiency responses, non-conformances, root cause investigations, and scope pivots

  • Advance continuous improvement initiatives across product development, including templates, risk-based tools, project estimation, change management, and process standardization

  • Support external and partner-facing development programs, including companion diagnostics and contractual assay development efforts

  • Mentor and develop a high-performing teams of scientists and documentation specialists

  • Contribute to resource planning, budgeting, staffing strategy, and organizational development within R&D

Qualifications

  • PhD with 8+ years of experience or Master's degree with 13+ years of experience in molecular diagnostics, assay development, or a related life sciences field in a regulated environment

  • Deep experience leading design-controlled product development for molecular diagnostics or sequencing-based assays

  • Strong working knowledge of IVD/CDx development, validation, design transfer, and regulatory submissions

  • Demonstrated success working in regulated frameworks including FDA, IVDR, ISO 13485, QMSR, MolDX, and NYS

  • Track record of leading cross-functional teams through complex technical and regulatory milestones

  • Experience building scalable processes, documentation systems, and development infrastructure in a fast-paced environment

  • Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills, with the ability to influence across technical and operational stakeholders

  • Strong people management experience, including hiring, mentoring, and leading teams through growth and change

Highly Desirable

  • Experience supporting audits, inspections, pre-submissions, deficiency responses, and approval pathways

  • Experience with companion diagnostic developments, pharma partnerships, and external development programs

  • Experience with automation, LIMS, and 21 CFR Part 11 compliant software tools such as ELNs

Impact in This Role

This role is critical to advancing Tempus' regulated diagnostics portfolio by ensuring products are scientifically robust, operationally scalable, and developed with the rigor required for successful launch, regulatory approval, and long-term platform growth.

$173,000-$245,000

The expected salary range above is applicable if the role is performed from Illinois and may vary for other locations (California, Colorado, New York). Actual salary may vary based on qualifications and experience. Tempus offers a full range of benefits, which may include incentive compensation, restricted stock units, medical and other benefits depending on the position.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.