ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Culinary Scientist Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

WesleyLife

Culinary Innovation Specialist

Johnston, IA · On-site

$32K - $44K/yr

Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a Culinary Arts, Hospitality, Food Science, Nutrition, or related program * ServSafe Certification required * Passion for culinary innovation and ...

Edgewater

Culinary Innovation Specialist

Johnston, IA · On-site

$32K - $44K/yr

Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a Culinary Arts, Hospitality, Food Science, Nutrition, or related program * ServSafe Certification required * Passion for culinary innovation and ...

WesleyLife

Culinary Innovation Specialist

Johnston, IA

$32K - $44K/yr

Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a Culinary Arts, Hospitality, Food Science, Nutrition, or related program * ServSafe Certification required * Passion for culinary innovation and ...

APARIUM HOTEL GROUP

Executive Chef

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$69K - $96K/yr

WHO YOU ARE Your past experiences have led you to understand that there is an art + science to the ... At Aparium, our culinary teams are expected to hold themselves, the guests, and each other in high ...

Grey Dog Media LLC

Food Stylist

West Des Moines, IA · On-site

Bachelor's degree in culinary arts, Food Sciences, Graphic Design, or related field. * 5+ years of food styling experience (studio + location). * Strong portfolio of styled food and recipe projects.

APARIUM HOTEL GROUP

Sous Chef

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$48K - $65K/yr

WHO YOU ARE Your past experiences have led you to understand that there is an art + science to the ... You have tremendous culinary aptitude and are just beginning your journey to understanding the ...

Surety Hotel, Autograph Collection

Sous Chef

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$48K - $65K/yr

WHO YOU ARE Your past experiences have led you to understand that there is an art + science to the ... You have tremendous culinary aptitude and are just beginning your journey to understanding the ...

Goldfish Partners

Radiology

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$312K - $390K/yr

... culinary spirit! * Year-round festivals and events, along with family favorites like the nationally ranked farmers’ market, zoo, science center, and amusement park! * Excellent schools, safe ...

Goldfish Medical Staffing

Radiology

Des Moines, IA

$312K - $390K/yr

... culinary spirit! * Year-round festivals and events, along with family favorites like the nationally ranked farmers' market, zoo, science center, and amusement park! * Excellent schools, safe ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsCulinary Scientist JobsCulinary Scientist Jobs in Iowa

Culinary Scientist information

See Iowa salary details

$34.8K

$85.4K

$150.3K

How much do culinary scientist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for culinary scientist in Iowa is $85,437.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $63,900.00 and $93,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a culinary scientist?

A Culinary Scientist blends food science and culinary arts to develop new food products, improve recipes, and enhance food safety and quality. They work in research labs, test kitchens, or food manufacturing companies to apply scientific principles to cooking and food production. Their work involves experimenting with ingredients, textures, and flavors to optimize food products for consumers. Culinary Scientists may collaborate with chefs, nutritionists, and food engineers to innovate and solve industry challenges.

What are some common challenges faced by culinary scientists in product development?

Culinary Scientists often face the challenge of balancing taste, texture, and appearance with nutritional and regulatory requirements when developing new food products. They must frequently troubleshoot ingredient interactions, shelf-life stability, and scalability from kitchen prototypes to mass production. The role regularly requires cross-department collaboration with marketing, quality assurance, and manufacturing teams to ensure product feasibility and consistency. Overcoming these challenges not only requires scientific expertise, but also adaptability and strong problem-solving skills, making the work both demanding and highly rewarding.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a culinary scientist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Culinary Scientist, you need a solid background in food science, culinary arts, and chemistry, often supported by a relevant degree such as food science or culinary technology. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, food safety certifications (like HACCP), and analytical software is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and strong communication skills help Culinary Scientists excel, especially when collaborating on cross-functional teams. These abilities are crucial for successfully developing innovative food products that meet both quality standards and consumer preferences.

Do food scientists make a lot of money?

Food scientists, including culinary scientists, typically earn a median annual salary around $70,000, with salaries varying based on experience, education, and location. Advanced roles or those in research and development may offer higher compensation, and certifications or specialized skills can also influence earning potential.

How do you become a culinary scientist?

To become a culinary scientist, typically a bachelor's degree in food science, chemistry, or a related field is required, along with experience in food development or research. Skills in food safety, laboratory techniques, and sensory evaluation are important, and advanced roles may require a master's or doctorate degree.

What does a culinary scientist do?

A culinary scientist researches and develops new food products, flavors, and cooking techniques by applying scientific principles to improve taste, texture, and safety. They often work in food laboratories, using tools like sensory analysis and food chemistry to innovate and ensure product quality.

What jobs can you get with a culinary scientist degree?

A culinary scientist can work in roles such as food product developer, research chef, sensory scientist, or food technologist. These positions involve developing new food products, improving existing recipes, and applying scientific principles to food safety and quality, often requiring knowledge of food chemistry, microbiology, and laboratory techniques.

What are popular job titles related to Culinary Scientist jobs in Iowa?

For Culinary Scientist jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Culinary Scientist jobs in Iowa look for?

The top searched job categories for Culinary Scientist jobs in Iowa are:

Culinary Scientist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Culinary Scientist job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, and 10% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $85,437 per year, or $41.1 per hour.

Food Scientist-Culinary

Global Recruiters of Medina

Estherville, IA • On-site

$70K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 12 days ago

Job description

Food Scientist CulinaryIf you are interested in joining and contributing to a privately held 70-year organization in Research and Development/Culinary I would like to speak with you. In addition to developing and innovating within our portfolio, you will also be learning and developing your career.We are positioned and planning for double digit growth for the next 5 years. The stability and growth of our organization has proven to be a two-way street we are successful because of our associates and in turn, our associates have contributed to a culture that is family orientated, collaborate and focus?s on accountability and teamwork. We are a USDA inspected, SQF facility that provides food products for a variety of Fortune 150 companies. Our associates are not afraid to speak up! Our long-term success is attributed to our talented employees that have kept us relevant in the marketplace by providing innovative products and packaging that has kept us front and center of the consumers and our customers. This entrepreneurial company values its associates and our ability to provide customer service that sets us apart in the marketplace. This opportunity is located in south central Minnesota. This growing organization is providing an opportunity to grow your skills with them and to be part of the leadership team of this organization. Can do, will do, team win positive attitude is critical!Relocation assistance provided.PRIMARY ACOUNTABILITIES: Technical knowledge in the manufacturing of various Prepared Meals and Batter/Breaded Proteins.Formulation of new products.Benchtop, pilot plant, and commercial scale new product development.Continuous improvement experience.Ability to define problems, collect and interpret data, draw valid conclusions, and propose solutions.Must be able to translate product feedback into optimized solutions.Document and reports on test runs and results. Identifies any potential issues or improvements to the process or formulations and discusses with management team.Develops new products and line extensions from bench top to commercialization..Coordinate with external vendors for ingredients and other material needs in order to fulfill organizational needs.?Collects and enters formulation and yield information.Maintains information regarding ingredient specifications, formulas, processes and analytical data such as quality attributes, yield information, and sensory results.Reports on the Sample Status to team members and discusses any implications to the businessAssist management with project timelines and status updates.Assist with providing product information for technical support to internal and external customers.Helps identify Plant and Process Improvement InitiativesSupport cost-out initiatives on existing products and process; follows through with in-plant trials.Will assist in customer data organization.Organize internal product cuttings with customers or manufacturing team.Education, Experience, Skills:Bachelor?s Degree, preferably in Meat or Food Science or Culinology2+ years related experience. Bachelor's degree plus related internships acceptable alsoTechnical knowledge in the manufacturing of various Commercially Sterile products or RTE meats.Formulation of new products.Benchtop, pilot plant, and commercial scale new product development.Continuous improvement experience.Ability to define problems, collect and interpret data, draw valid conclusions, and propose solutions.Must be able to translate product feedback into optimized solutions.