Entry Level Food Science Research Jobs (NOW HIRING)

We're seeking a Food Scientist to support ingredient-focused initiatives across research and development. This role plays a key part in evaluating raw materials, supporting product development, and partnering cross?functionally to ensure ingredient integrity, compliance, and operational efficiency. The ideal candidate brings a strong foundation in food science principles, excellent documentation practices, and the ability to communicate effectively with both internal teams and external partners.

Key Responsibilities Apply foundational knowledge of food ingredients and raw materials, with a focus on their functionality and application within beverage and food systems. Lead and support projects related to ingredient optimization, supplier updates, cost improvement initiatives, supply continuity, and production-related challenges. Collaborate closely with product development teams and multiple R&D disciplines, including sensory, ingredients, nutrition, regulatory, flavor technology, process engineering, chemistry, and microbiology.

Partner cross?functionally with departments outside of R&D, such as Quality, Procurement, and Operations, to ensure alignment on ingredient requirements and business objectives. Maintain accurate and detailed documentation, including entering ingredient data into internal systems and databases in accordance with established procedures. Execute and document laboratory work when ingredients are evaluated or tested internally, ensuring clear, thorough, and compliant records.

Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) and contribute to the development, revision, and improvement of SOPs related to ingredient management and job-specific functions. Provide training, guidance, and knowledge-sharing support to cross?functional partners as needed. Communicate directly with external vendors and suppliers to obtain required technical documentation, specifications, and supporting materials in a timely manner.

Support continuous improvement efforts by identifying opportunities to enhance documentation accuracy, workflows, and cross?team collaboration. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biology, or a related scientific discipline. Proven understanding of food and beverage ingredients and their functional applications.

Experience working in an R&D, food science, or ingredient-focused role within the food or beverage industry. Strong organizational skills with the ability to maintain precise records and manage multiple projects simultaneously. Working knowledge of laboratory practices, ingredient databases, and regulated documentation environments.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively across technical and non?technical teams. Demonstrated ability to collaborate cross?functionally and manage external supplier communications professionally. Familiarity with regulatory, quality, and compliance considerations related to food ingredients is preferred.

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco/Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual’s skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, office location and other geographic considerations, as well as other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco/Highspring notes the salary range for the role is noted in this job posting. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company’s 401(k) retirement plan.

Vaco by Highspring values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply. EEO Notice Vaco by Highspring is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by federal, state or local law. Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals.

As part of this commitment, Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact HR@vaco.com . Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal.

By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. You also agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application.

In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal. Privacy Notice Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries (“we,” “our,” or “Vaco by Highspring”) respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies. California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here.

Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here. Residents of all other states may access our policies here. Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here.

Residents of countries governed by GDPR may access our policies here. Pay Transparency Notice Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to: the individual’s skill sets, experience and training; licensure and certification requirements; office location and other geographic considerations; other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure.

The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses.