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Food Science Lab Jobs in Pittsburgh, PA (NOW HIRING)

Vantage Specialty Chemicals

Food Scientist

Carnegie, PA · On-site

$70K - $90K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Support lab-scale batch production and help define manufacturing procedures and specifications ... Bachelor's degree in Food Science or Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or a related ...

VantageSpecialtyChemicals

R-2247 Food Scientist

Carnegie, PA

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Support lab-scale batch production and help define manufacturing procedures and specifications ... Bachelor's degree in Food Science or Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or a related ...

Pace Analytical Services

Scientist I

Greensburg, PA

$16/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Join our mission to continuously move science forward; to innovate and advance all aspects of our ... Ability to perform work in a lab or office setting, remain standing for long periods while ...

Pacelabs

Scientist I

Greensburg, PA

$16/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Join our mission to continuously move science forward; to innovate and advance all aspects of our ... Ability to perform work in a lab or office setting, remain standing for long periods while ...

Pace

Scientist I

Greensburg, PA · On-site

$16/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Join our mission to continuously move science forward; to innovate and advance all aspects of our ... Ability to perform work in a lab or office setting, remain standing for long periods while ...

Microbac

Laboratory Analyst II

Warrendale, PA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • PTO

Our diverse work portfolio includes broad accreditation offerings and tested insights across the environmental, food and nutrition and life science markets. JOB SUMMARY The Analyst II, working in an ...

Excela Health

MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST

Butler, PA · On-site

Bachelor Degree in Medical Technology, Chemical, Physical, Clinical Lab Science, or Biological ... food, food shopping, sitting, standing, computer work. Medium 3.6 - 6.3 House work (mopping ...

Excela Health

MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST

Butler, PA · On-site

Bachelor Degree in Medical Technology, Chemical, Physical, Clinical Lab Science, or Biological ... food, food shopping, sitting, standing, computer work. Medium 3.6 - 6.3 House work (mopping ...

Excela Health

MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST

Butler, PA · On-site

Bachelor Degree in Medical Technology, Chemical, Physical, Clinical Lab Science, or Biological ... food, food shopping, sitting, standing, computer work. Medium 3.6 - 6.3 House work (mopping ...

Excela Health

MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST

Butler, PA · On-site

Bachelor Degree in Medical Technology, Chemical, Physical, Clinical Lab Science, or Biological ... food, food shopping, sitting, standing, computer work. Medium 3.6 - 6.3 House work (mopping ...

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All JobsFood Science Lab JobsFood Science Lab Jobs in Pittsburgh, PA

Food Science Lab information

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How much do food science lab jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for food science lab in Pittsburgh, PA is $21.93, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.87 and $27.55 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Food Science Lab vs Food Technologist?

AspectFood Science LabFood Technologist
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Food Science or related fieldBachelor's or Master's in Food Science, Food Technology, or related field
Work EnvironmentLaboratory setting, conducting experiments and quality testsProduction facilities, overseeing food processing and product development
Industry UsageResearch, quality control, product testingProduct development, manufacturing, quality assurance

Food Science Lab roles focus on laboratory research, testing, and quality analysis, while Food Technologists work in production environments, developing and improving food products. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and often collaborate within the food industry, but their daily tasks and work settings differ.

What is a food science lab?

A Food Science Lab is a specialized facility where scientists and technicians study the physical, chemical, and microbiological properties of food. These labs are used to develop new food products, improve food safety, test quality, and analyze nutritional content. Food Science Labs play a key role in ensuring that the food we eat is safe, nutritious, and meets regulatory standards. They use advanced equipment and techniques to conduct experiments and support the food industry.

What skills and qualifications are needed to work in a food science lab?

To thrive as a Food Science Lab Technician, you need a solid background in chemistry, biology, and food safety, often supported by a degree in food science or a related field. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, analytical testing methods, and safety protocols—along with certifications like HACCP—are commonly required. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are valuable soft skills in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for ensuring accurate testing, regulatory compliance, and the consistent quality of food products.

What are typical challenges faced when working in a food science lab?

Working in a Food Science Lab often involves balancing multiple projects with tight deadlines, such as product testing, quality analysis, and research experiments. Professionals must adapt to frequently changing protocols and meticulously document results to ensure accuracy and compliance with food safety regulations. Additionally, collaboration with cross-functional teams—like product development, quality assurance, and regulatory affairs—is essential, requiring strong communication and teamwork skills. Staying current with new technologies and industry standards can also be an ongoing challenge but is key to career growth in this field.

What kind of job can I get with a food science degree?

A food science degree can lead to roles such as food scientist, quality assurance manager, product development specialist, or food safety auditor. These jobs typically involve laboratory work, product testing, and ensuring compliance with safety standards, often requiring knowledge of food chemistry, microbiology, and relevant certifications.

Where do food scientists get paid the most?

Food scientists tend to earn the highest salaries in regions with a strong food manufacturing industry, such as certain states or metropolitan areas known for food production and research. Salaries are also influenced by experience, education, and certifications, with those working in private industry or at large corporations generally earning more than those in academia or government roles.

What are popular job titles related to Food Science Lab jobs in Pittsburgh, PA?

For Food Science Lab jobs in Pittsburgh, PA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Food Science Lab jobs in Pittsburgh, PA look for?

The top searched job categories for Food Science Lab jobs in Pittsburgh, PA are:

Food Science Lab jobs near you
Infographic showing various Food Science Lab job openings in Pittsburgh, PA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $45,606 per year, or $21.9 per hour.

Food Scientist

Vantage Specialty Chemicals

Carnegie, PA • On-site

$70K - $90K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 22 days ago

Job description

Position Title: Food Scientist
Position Summary
Vantage Specialty Chemicals is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Food Scientist to support product design, process development, and application testing within the Vantage Food R&D team. This role is ideal for an early-career food scientist or engineer looking to build hands-on experience in developing food ingredient formulation and scalable manufacturing processes. The Food Scientist will assist in designing and testing food ingredients and release agents that improve food products and enhance food manufacturing processes. This role will also support the development of reproducible production processes, evaluate product stability, and ensure compatibility with customer formulations and manufacturing operations. The position requires collaboration with cross-functional teams, including R&D, Marketing, Quality, Operations, and Sales, as well as engagement with customers and raw material suppliers.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
  • Assist in the development, optimization, and testing of Vantage food ingredients and release agents based on project briefs from Marketing and Sales
  • Design and execute experiments to evaluate ingredient application potential; includes developing application guidelines, preparing technical reports, and providing training and technical guidance to internal and external partners
  • Support lab-scale batch production and help define manufacturing procedures and specifications based on experimental data
  • Participate in scaling up formulations and transferring processes to manufacturing operations
  • Analyze experimental results and contribute to recommendations for process and formulation improvements
  • Conduct basic performance and stability testing, sensory evaluations, and packaging compatibility assessments
  • Conduct in-house applications testing of prototypes and/or coordinate testing with third-party service providers
  • Maintain accurate, organized records of experimental work and ensure timely data entry into internal systems
  • Coordinate with Marketing and Sales to fulfill customer sample requests and complete customer-specific application testing
  • Support the development of technical marketing content, including product brochures, presentations, and data summaries
  • Adhere to all safety, quality, and regulatory standards while contributing to a collaborative team environment

Education & Experience
  • Education: Bachelor's degree in Food Science or Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or a related discipline
  • Experience: Minimum of two (2) years of relevant experience in formulation and/or manufacturing of food products or food ingredients

Knowledge, Skills, & Talents
  • Basic knowledge of ingredient chemistry, formulation techniques, and laboratory practices
  • Strong organizational and documentation skills
  • Effective written and verbal communication skills, including presenting to technical audiences
  • Strong proficiency in MS Office programs, especially MS Excel and PowerPoint
  • Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines
  • Willingness to learn and adapt in a fast-paced R&D environment
  • Authorized to work in the United States
  • Willingness to travel occasionally to manufacturing sites, partners, or customers
  • Ability to work in laboratory and manufacturing plant environments for up to six (6) hours per day
  • Ability to lift up to 50 lb. during course of normal work

Preferred Skills
  • Experience in formulation, processing, and testing of food products, including sensory evaluation
  • Experience in industrial scale food operations, especially baked goods
  • Understanding of stability testing and product evaluation methods
  • Experience working in cross-functional teams

Pay and Benefits
The estimated base pay range for this position is: $70,000 - $90,000 annually. Actual pay will be determined based on education, certifications, experience, qualifications, skills and geographic location. This position is eligible to participate in a short-term incentive program.
Vantage offers a comprehensive benefit package to eligible employees, including:
  • Medical, HSA, dental, vision
  • Life and AD&D insurance
  • Accident, hospital indemnity and critical illness insurance
  • Short- and long-term disability
  • EAP, identity theft protection
  • Paid time off, Parental Leave
  • 401(k) with company match

Equal Employment Opportunity
Vantage is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other protected category.
About Vantage
Vantage provides natural solutions to our customers' technical performance and marketing needs through a unique combination of chemistry, application expertise and service. Underpinned by our broad portfolio of formulations, ingredients and actives that are built on a backbone of sustainable oils, fats and their derivatives, Vantage targets selected markets and applications including personal care, food, surface treatment, agriculture, pharma, and consumer and industrial performance. Vantage is headquartered in Deerfield, IL., operates in 11 countries worldwide and employs more than 1,000 talented professionals focused on delivering exceptional customer experiences with every interaction.
We are a dynamic people-centered organization where you'll be part of a collaborative global team. Embracing our cultural diversity, we learn from each other to constantly improve, adapt and iterate. We value the voices and talents of our colleagues, empowering them to drive their unique ideas to completion. We're convinced that exceptionally motivated employees produce outstanding results and we celebrate them by fostering a culture of recognition, development, learning, excellence and shared achievement. Most importantly, we know you're going to like it here. For more information visit: vantagegrp.com or LinkedIn/vantage.

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