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Food Research Scientist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$120 - $190/hr

At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life and our purpose ... Senior Research Scientist - Target Intelligence and Early Project Lead**As a Senior Scientist in ...

Join our mission of revolutionizing food security and transforming agriculture. At Syngenta, our ... Lead the complete research lifecycle, from study design and prioritization through pre-planting ...

Senior Research Scientist

Indianapolis, IN · On-site

$94K - $120K/yr

At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life and our purpose ... Your Role: Senior Research Scientist - Target Intelligence and Early Project Lead As a Senior ...

OVERVIEW The NPD Research Scientist I will be a thought leader on new product innovation and how to ... Hands-on experience of analytical and physical testing methodologies within food industry ranging ...

OVERVIEW The NPD Research Scientist I will be a thought leader on new product innovation and how to ... EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS * BS or MS in Food Science, Nutrition, Chemistry, Biology or related ...

$120 - $190/hr

At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life and our purpose ... Senior Research Scientist - Medicinal Chemist**As a Senior Research Scientist in Medicinal ...

JOB PURPOSE: Alphia, one of the nation's leading custom pet food manufacturing companies, is looking for a skilled R&D Scientist. The R&D Scientist is responsible for managing research and ...

JOB PURPOSE: Alphia, one of the nation's leading custom pet food manufacturing companies, is looking for a skilled R&D Scientist. The R&D Scientist is responsible for managing research and ...

JOB PURPOSE: Alphia, one of the nation's leading custom pet food manufacturing companies, is looking for a skilled R&D Scientist. The R&D Scientist is responsible for managing research and ...

Showing results 41-60

Food Research Scientist information

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$50.5K

$130.1K

$174K

How much do food research scientist jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for food research scientist in the United States is $130,117.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $107,500.00 and $173,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a food research scientist do?

A Food Research Scientist studies the chemical, biological, and physical properties of food to improve its safety, quality, and nutritional value. They develop new food products, enhance preservation techniques, and ensure regulatory compliance. Their work may involve researching ingredients, analyzing food samples, and conducting experiments to improve taste, texture, and shelf life.

What are some typical daily responsibilities for a food research scientist?

As a Food Research Scientist, your daily tasks often include designing and conducting experiments to improve food quality, safety, or shelf life, analyzing data, and documenting results. You may also collaborate with cross-functional teams such as product development, quality assurance, and marketing to guide projects from concept through commercialization. Routine responsibilities can involve preparing technical reports, presenting research findings, and ensuring compliance with industry regulations. The work is a blend of hands-on laboratory activities and strategic planning, offering variety and continuous learning opportunities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the food research scientist position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Food Research Scientist, you need a strong background in food science, chemistry, microbiology, and a relevant advanced degree such as a master's or PhD. Experience with laboratory equipment, statistical analysis software, and certifications like HACCP or SQF are commonly required. Strong problem-solving skills, curiosity, and effective communication help scientists collaborate across departments and present findings clearly. These skills ensure high-quality research, innovation, and compliance with safety and regulatory standards in developing new food products or improving existing ones.

Is there a demand for food research scientists?

Food research scientists are in demand due to the growing focus on food safety, nutrition, and product innovation. Employment opportunities are available in academia, government agencies, and private industry, often requiring skills in laboratory analysis, data interpretation, and familiarity with food science tools.

What is a food research scientist?

A food research scientist studies the properties, safety, and quality of food products to develop new items or improve existing ones. They often work in laboratories, using scientific methods, and may require knowledge of food chemistry, microbiology, and food safety regulations.
More about Food Research Scientist jobs

What cities are hiring for Food Research Scientist jobs?

Cities with the most Food Research Scientist job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Food Research Scientist jobs?

The most popular types of Food Research Scientist jobs are:

What states have the most Food Research Scientist jobs?

States with the most job openings for Food Research Scientist jobs include:

Infographic showing various Food Research Scientist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 70% Full Time, and 30% Part Time. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $130,117 per year, or $62.6 per hour.

Full-time

Re-posted 17 hours ago


Job description

Overview
Position Overview
The Research Scientist II is responsible for the design, development, optimization, and scale-up of dietary supplement products from concept through commercial manufacturing within a CDMO / white-label environment. This role requires strong formulation fundamentals across multiple dosage forms, with the ability to balance customer requirements, consumer centricity, cost targets, regulatory requirements, and manufacturing feasibility.
Experience with gummies and flavored dosage forms is a strong plus. The successful candidate will demonstrate versatility across dosage forms and the ability to rapidly learn and adapt to new technologies and formats.
Responsibilities
Specific Responsibilities
  • Provides technical leadership on moderately complex development programs, supports customer-facing innovation, and plays a key role in ensuring formulations are robust, scalable, and commercially viable.
  • The candidate must be comfortable working cross-functionally with R&D, Quality, Regulatory, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing in a fast-paced, customer-driven CDMO environment
  • Lead and support simple to moderately complex formulation development programs across multiple dietary supplement dosage forms
  • Design formulations with consumer experience, cost, manufacturability, and quality as primary design constraints
  • Develop flavored formulations to match benchmark products or create new flavor profiles where no benchmark exists
  • Apply formulation and process understanding to troubleshoot scale-up, processing, and manufacturing issues
  • Support salvage, reformulation, and rework strategies for at-risk or failed production batches
  • Partner with Product Development leadership on pilot-scale and commercial-scale batches, collecting data to define in-process parameters and finished product specifications

General Responsibilities
  • Formulate dietary supplement products in response to customer requests ranging from highly defined specifications to open-ended innovation briefs
  • Conduct bench-scale trials, physical evaluations, and data collection to support formulation decisions
  • Support and participate in sensory evaluations and tasting panels for flavored dosage forms
  • Develop and maintain costed formulations, including raw material, processing, and packaging assumptions
  • Prepare and maintain formulation specifications, technical documentation, and development reports
  • Collaborate with Quality and Regulatory teams to proactively address compliance, labeling, and claims considerations
  • Provide ongoing technical support to internal stakeholders and external customers throughout development, scale-up, and commercialization
  • Continuously improve formulation approaches, platforms, and best practices based on customer needs, market trends, and manufacturing learnings
  • Prepare, review, and approve Master Batch Records (MBRs), Master Change Requests (MCRs), and other formulation-related documentation
  • Provide hands-on technical support during manufacturing trials and initial commercial production runs
  • Execute responsibilities with minimal supervision while managing multiple projects
  • Ownership & Accountability - Takes responsibility for outcomes from concept through commercialization
  • Collaboration & Influence - Works effectively across R&D, Quality, Regulatory, and Operations without formal authority
  • Resilience in Ambiguity - Thrives in fast-paced, changing environments typical of CDMO operations
  • Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications
The Candidate
Education, Experience, and Licenses:
  • Bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, food science, chemical engineering, or a related scientific discipline
  • 4+ years of work-related experience in formulation of dietary supplement (DS) products and /or over-the-counter (OTC), with a focus on flavored items (gummies and/or powders
  • Experience in softgel manufacturing, processing, encapsulation, or related softgel production operations is strongly preferred.
  • Master's degree or additional professional technical training preferred
  • OPEN TO STEM OPT & TN VISA SPONSORSHIP

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  • Ability to use the principles of general science, chemistry, and physics to produce formulations that will run efficiently in manufacturing operations
  • Must be able to safely operate equipment and instruments used in the development and manufacture of nutritional dosage-forms & gummies
  • Must be able to use mathematical skills to accurately calculate formula inputs as well as to create cost approximations for finished products in bulk and/or packaged forms
  • Must be computer literate and capable in technical data accumulation and reporting
  • Must be able to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
  • Must possess strong interpersonal skills
  • Must be able to perform duties with minimal supervision

International Vitamin Corporation (IVC) Is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our organization remains steadfast in our commitment to fostering an inclusive and non-discriminatory work environment that welcomes individuals from all backgrounds. We firmly maintain the belief that every individual ought to be treated with respect and dignity, regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, marital status, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic, as defined by the law. We pledge that all eligible job applicants shall receive an impartial and unbiased evaluation during the recruitment process, without any form of discrimination based on any of the protected class. Our dedication to promoting diversity and inclusivity remains unwavering, and we take immense pride in cultivating a workplace culture that values and celebrates differences. Our efforts towards creating an environment that is free from prejudice and discrimination are an integral part of our organizational philosophy, and we stand committed to upholding these principles.