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Formulation Scientist Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Kemin

Bakery Scientist

Des Moines, IA · On-site

The Bakery Scientist will lead formulation development, ingredient evaluation, experimental design, and bakery application research while partnering closely with Commercial, Marketing, Regulatory ...

Kemin

Bakery Scientist

Des Moines, IA

The Bakery Scientist will lead formulation development, ingredient evaluation, experimental design, and bakery application research while partnering closely with Commercial, Marketing, Regulatory ...

Kemin

Bakery Scientist

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$110 - $150/hr

The Bakery Scientist will lead formulation development, ingredient evaluation, experimental design, and bakery application research while partnering closely with Commercial, Marketing, Regulatory ...

Kemin

Bakery Scientist

Des Moines, IA · On-site

The Bakery Scientist will lead formulation development, ingredient evaluation, experimental design, and bakery application research while partnering closely with Commercial, Marketing, Regulatory ...

Red Boot Beverage

Associate Scientist

Des Moines, IA

S. Work Authorization Required Position Summary The Associate Scientist performs hands-on lab work, formulation testing, process optimization, and data analysis. The successful candidate will work ...

gpac

Entry-Level Nutritionist

Waterloo, IA · On-site

Bachelor's degree in Animal Nutrition, Animal Science, Food Science, or related field * Master's degree in similar * 3-5 years of experience in a nutritionist or formulation role * Foundational ...

gpac

Entry-Level Nutritionist

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

Bachelor's degree in Animal Nutrition, Animal Science, Food Science, or related field * Master's degree in similar * 3-5 years of experience in a nutritionist or formulation role * Foundational ...

gpac

Entry-Level Nutritionist

Dubuque, IA · On-site

Bachelor's degree in Animal Nutrition, Animal Science, Food Science, or related field * Master's degree in similar * 3-5 years of experience in a nutritionist or formulation role * Foundational ...

gpac

Entry-Level Nutritionist

Ames, IA · On-site

... Food Science, or a related field • Foundational knowledge of animal nutrition principles and feed formulation with 3-5 years of experience • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills • ...

gpac

Entry-Level Nutritionist

Des Moines, IA · On-site

... Food Science, or a related field • Foundational knowledge of animal nutrition principles and feed formulation with 3-5 years of experience • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills • ...

Varsity Tutors

Data Science Tutor

Ames, IA · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Skilled at teaching the full data science workflow from question formulation through insight communication. Guides students through data cleaning with Pandas, exploratory analysis with visualization ...

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All JobsFormulation Scientist JobsFormulation Scientist Jobs in Iowa

Formulation Scientist information

See Iowa salary details

$18

$35

$68

How much do formulation scientist jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for formulation scientist in Iowa is $35.33, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.70 and $40.87 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a formulation scientist?

A formulation scientist designs, develops, tests, and evaluates products. Their job duties involve blending and mixing chemical components to create effective products, often for the pharmaceutical or cosmetics industries. Formulation scientists play an integral role in the product development process by implementing testing procedures, inspecting manufacturing approaches, and creating detailed reports to fix errors and promote improvements. To become a formulation scientist, you need a bachelor’s degree in chemistry or a related field, although many also pursue master’s degrees or a doctorate.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a formulation scientist?

To thrive as a Formulation Scientist, you need a strong background in chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, or a related field, usually supported by at least a bachelor's or master's degree. Familiarity with laboratory instrumentation, analytical techniques (such as HPLC or GC), and regulatory guidelines is essential, and relevant certifications like Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) can be advantageous. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication skills help distinguish outstanding performers. These competencies are crucial for developing safe, effective products and ensuring compliance with industry standards.

What are some common challenges a formulation scientist faces when developing new products?

Formulation Scientists often encounter challenges such as ensuring product stability, optimizing ingredient compatibility, and meeting strict regulatory standards. Balancing the desired efficacy and sensory attributes of a formulation while maintaining cost-effectiveness can require extensive experimentation and problem-solving. Additionally, working closely with cross-functional teams like analytical chemistry, quality assurance, and manufacturing is essential to address scale-up issues and ensure a seamless transition from lab to production.

What is the difference between Formulation Scientist vs Chemist?

AspectFormulation ScientistChemist
Required CredentialsBachelor’s or Master’s in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related fieldsBachelor’s or Master’s in Chemistry or related fields
Work EnvironmentLaboratories focused on product development, formulation, and testingResearch labs, manufacturing, or quality control settings
Industry UsagePharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food, and chemical industriesBroadly across chemical manufacturing, research, and academia

Formulation Scientists specialize in developing and optimizing product formulations, often working closely with R&D teams to create new products. Chemists have a broader scope, including analyzing substances, conducting experiments, and understanding chemical properties. While both roles require chemistry knowledge and lab skills, Formulation Scientists focus more on product development and application-specific formulations, whereas Chemists may work on fundamental research or quality analysis.

How much do formulation scientists make in the US?

Formulation scientists in the US typically earn a median annual salary of around $80,000 to $110,000, depending on experience, education, and location. Entry-level roles may start lower, while experienced professionals or those with specialized skills can earn higher salaries, especially in pharmaceutical or biotech industries.

What do formulation scientists do?

Formulation scientists develop and optimize the composition of products such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food items to ensure safety, stability, and effectiveness. They use scientific principles, laboratory techniques, and tools like chromatography and spectroscopy to create formulations that meet regulatory standards and consumer needs.
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For Formulation Scientist jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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

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Formulation Scientist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Formulation Scientist job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 2% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $73,484 per year, or $35.3 per hour.

FOOD APPLICATIONS SCIENTIST

Kent Corporation

Muscatine, IA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 3 days ago

Job description

Are you passionate about science, innovation, and helping customers solve complex formulation challenges? Grain Processing Corporation (GPC), a KENT WORLDWIDE™ company, is seeking an Applications Scientist to join our Technical Solutions group on the Innovative Solutions team in Muscatine, Iowa. This on-site role serves as a key customer-facing technical resource, partnering with commercial teams, customers, and industry stakeholders to demonstrate the value and performance of GPC ingredients across food, nutraceutical, and personal care applications. In this highly collaborative position, you will support sales growth and business development through technical consultations, customer presentations, product demonstrations, trade shows, and application expertise. You'll play an important role in translating scientific knowledge into practical solutions that help customers succeed while strengthening relationships and advancing commercialization opportunities.
  • This position is designed and intended to be performed in Muscatine, Iowa. Relocation assistance may be available for qualified candidates, subject to business needs and company guidelines.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Provide technical expertise and application support through customer meetings, presentations, virtual consultations, technical reports, and troubleshooting activities
  • Collaborate with commercial teams, customers, scientists, operations, quality, regulatory, and external partners to develop application solutions that support customer success and business growth
  • Support trade shows, technical seminars, customer visits, training programs, product demonstrations, and other business development initiatives to promote GPC ingredients and capabilities
  • Develop and optimize formulations utilizing GPC ingredients to address customer needs, support innovation initiatives, and drive commercialization opportunities
  • Assess, refine, and provide recommendations on new product concepts and prototypes as part of an iterative product development and commercialization process
  • Design, conduct, and analyze laboratory experiments to evaluate ingredient functionality and performance in food, nutraceutical, and personal care applications
  • Independently design testing protocols, experimental methodologies, and validation procedures aligned with project objectives, industry standards, and scientific best practices
  • Evaluate finished product performance and characterize ingredient attributes using analytical techniques, laboratory instrumentation, and sensory assessment methodologies
  • Generate technical literature, application guides, product documentation, customer-facing materials, summaries, and reports that translate scientific findings into actionable insights
  • Effectively manage multiple projects and priorities while ensuring timely completion of assignments and deliverables
  • Maintain accurate laboratory records, experimental data, and project documentation while adhering to safety, quality, and regulatory requirements
  • Perform other duties as assigned

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND/OR QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Food Science is required. Candidates with a bachelor's degree in a related scientific discipline may be considered if they possess 3 to 5 years of experience in food applications, ingredient functionality, and product formulation
  • Experience supporting customers, providing technical consultation, or partnering with commercial teams in a customer-facing environment required
  • Strong knowledge of food chemistry, organic chemistry, ingredient functionality, and formulation science
  • Extensive laboratory experience, including operation of laboratory equipment, analytical techniques, data collection, and safe laboratory practices
  • Strong customer-facing communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to effectively communicate technical information to diverse audiences
  • Ability to collaborate effectively with customers, commercial teams, suppliers, and cross-functional stakeholders to deliver application solutions and support business objectives
  • Demonstrated understanding of ingredient performance within food, nutraceutical, or personal care formulations
  • Experience developing formulations, testing protocols, and technical documentation preferred
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and experience utilizing ERP systems, laboratory information management systems (LIMS), and other scientific software tools
  • Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and attention to detail
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and drive projects to completion

WORK ENVIRONMENT & TRAVEL
  • Travel up to 40% may be required to support customer visits, technical service activities, product demonstrations, trade shows, industry conferences, training programs, supplier meetings, and other business development initiatives
  • Combination of laboratory, office, and customer-facing work environments, supporting both technical development and commercial initiatives
  • Frequent exposure to laboratory equipment, ingredients, chemicals, moving mechanical parts, fumes, and airborne particles while following established safety procedures

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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