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Postdoctoral In Food Chemistry Jobs in California

Postdoctoral Scholar

Bodega Bay, CA

$69K - $107K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

D. in Chemistry, Materials Science, Computational Science, Data Science, Applied Mathematics ... Postdoctoral positions are paid on a step schedule per union contract and salaries will be ...

Senior Food Scientist

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$95K - $120K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • PTO

... in a manufacturing environment. * Hands-on experience conducting bench-top development, pilot plant trials, and commercial production trials. * Strong knowledge of food chemistry, ingredient ...

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Postdoctoral In Food Chemistry information

What is a postdoctoral in food chemistry?

Postdoctoral positions in food chemistry are research-focused roles typically held by individuals who have recently completed their PhD in food science, chemistry, or a related field. These positions allow researchers to deepen their expertise, conduct independent or collaborative research, and contribute to scientific publications. Postdocs in food chemistry often work on projects related to food safety, quality, nutrition, or the development of new food products. They may also supervise students, write grant proposals, and present their findings at conferences. These roles are usually temporary, lasting one to three years, and are valuable stepping stones toward academic, industry, or government careers.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a postdoctoral in food chemistry?

To thrive as a Postdoctoral Researcher in Food Chemistry, you need an advanced degree (PhD) in food chemistry or a related field, with a strong background in analytical techniques and experimental design. Familiarity with laboratory instrumentation such as HPLC, GC-MS, NMR, and experience with data analysis software and scientific publishing are typically required. Critical thinking, attention to detail, and effective scientific communication help distinguish top candidates in this research-intensive role. These skills are essential for producing high-quality research, advancing scientific knowledge, and contributing to academic and industry innovations in food science.

What are the typical research and collaboration opportunities for a postdoctoral in food chemistry?

As a Postdoctoral researcher in Food Chemistry, you'll often work on multidisciplinary projects that involve close collaboration with food scientists, biochemists, and industry partners. Your daily activities may include designing and conducting experiments, analyzing chemical components of foods, and presenting findings at group meetings or conferences. Many institutions encourage postdocs to mentor graduate students and participate in grant writing, which can help build valuable leadership and communication skills. These experiences not only expand your professional network but also prepare you for careers in academia, research, or the food industry.

What is the difference between Postdoctoral In Food Chemistry vs Food Scientist?

AspectPostdoctoral In Food ChemistryFood Scientist
Required CredentialsPh.D. in Food Chemistry or related fieldBachelor's or Master's degree in Food Science or related field
Work EnvironmentResearch laboratories, academic institutionsFood manufacturing companies, research and development labs
Employer & Industry UsageAcademic, research-focused rolesIndustry-focused roles in food production and quality control
Common Search & Comparison IntentResearch, academic careers, postdoctoral opportunitiesIndustry careers, product development, quality assurance

While a Postdoctoral In Food Chemistry typically involves advanced research and academic pursuits with a Ph.D., a Food Scientist usually works in industry focusing on product development, quality control, and food safety. Both roles require knowledge of food chemistry, but their work environments and career paths differ significantly.

What cities in California are hiring for Postdoctoral In Food Chemistry jobs?

Cities in California with the most Postdoctoral In Food Chemistry job openings:

Infographic showing various Postdoctoral In Food Chemistry job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, and 25% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Sr. Food Scientist II - Innovations

CPS, Inc. (Food & Beverage Division)

Los Angeles, CA

$120K - $145K/yr

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago


Job description

Sr. Food Scientist II InnovationsThe Sr. Scientist II is a scientific leader responsible for the design, development, and commercialization of innovative plant-based beverages. This role applies deep knowledge of food chemistry, ingredient functionality, and processing science to create products that deliver exceptional sensory performance, nutritional value, stability, and manufacturability.As a subject matter expert, Sr. Scientist II leverages scientific principles to understand ingredient interactions, identify technical risks, and develop robust formulation solutions. This individual is expected to stay at the forefront of ingredient technologies and emerging scientific advancements, translating new knowledge into commercially viable products and competitive advantages.Working collaboratively across R&D, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Marketing, and external partners, the Senior Scientist II provides technical leadership throughout the product development lifecycle, from concept through commercialization.This position requires approximately 25% travel to manufacturing facilities, suppliers, innovation partners, pilot plant, and industry events.ResponsibilitiesScientific Leadership & Ingredient Technology Serve as a technical expert in food chemistry, ingredient functionality, and formulation science for plant-based beverage applications. Develop a deep understanding of ingredient interactions and their impact on product stability, texture, flavor, nutrition, and processing performance. Evaluate and implement emerging ingredient technologies to improve product quality, functionality, sustainability, and cost competitiveness. Apply scientific principles to investigate complex formulation and processing challenges and develop data-driven technical solutions. Design and execute experiments using sound scientific methodology and statistical tools (DOE) to generate actionable insights and accelerate innovation. Interpret analytical, physical, rheological, and sensory data to establish formulation strategies and guide product optimization. Build technical knowledge in areas such as emulsion science, hydrocolloid functionality, protein functionality, fat systems, sweetener technologies, mineral interactions, and flavor performance.Product Development & Innovation Lead formulation development and commercialization of innovative plant-based beverages from concept through market launch. Translate consumer insights into differentiated products that meet sensory, nutritional, quality, regulatory, and manufacturing requirements. Optimize formulations for shelf-life, process robustness, ingredient compatibility, and cost efficiency. Drive continuous product improvement through formulation renovation, ingredient optimization, and process innovation.Commercialization & Technical Leadership Lead pilot plant and manufacturing trials to validate formulations and support successful scale-up. Partner with Operations and Engineering to ensure effective technology transfer and manufacturing readiness. Troubleshoot manufacturing and formulation challenges using scientific root cause analysis. Develop technical documentation including formulations, ingredient specifications, processing parameters, and commercialization reports.Cross-Functional Collaboration Collaborate with Marketing, Consumer Insights, Quality, Regulatory, Procurement, and Supply Chain to deliver innovative products. Build strong technical partnership with ingredient suppliers, universities, and external innovation partners to evaluate emerging technologies and identify new opportunities. Provide scientific guidance to internal stakeholders and support customer facing technical discussions when appropriate. Mentor junior scientists by fostering scientific thinking, experimental rigor, and technical excellence.Salary$120,000 - $145,000 + BonusBenefits AvailableQualifications M.S. or Ph.D. in Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline. Bachelor?s degree with extensive relevant industry experience may also be considered. 7-10+ years of food and beverage product development experience. Demonstrated success developing and commercializing food or beverage products. Experience in plant-based beverages, dairy alternatives, beverages, or adjacent food categories is preferred. Strong understanding of ingredient interactions affecting product stability, texture, flavor delivery, and processing performance. Experience applying Design of Experiments (DOE), statistical analysis, and scientific modeling to solve formulation challenges and optimize product stability and shelf-life. Experience with pilot plant trials and commercial manufacturing. Knowledge of food safety regulations, GMPs, HACCP, and food labeling requirements.**If you?d like to hear more about this opportunity and others we are currently working on, please contact Kristine O?Sullivan at kosullivan cps4jobs.com.JO: 68.26KO#LI-KM2