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Research Chef Jobs in Boston, MA (NOW HIRING)

K & K Restaurant Group Inc

Chef

Foxboro, MA

$70K - $90K/yr

Create menus according to season and customer research * Set up the kitchen with necessary tools ... Previous experience as a chef or cook * Certification from culinary school preferred * ServeSafe or ...

K & K Restaurant Group Inc

Chef

Foxboro, MA · On-site

$70K - $90K/yr

Create menus according to season and customer research * Set up the kitchen with necessary tools ... Previous experience as a chef or cook * Certification from culinary school preferred * ServeSafe or ...

K & K Restaurant Group Inc

Chef

Foxboro, MA · On-site

$70K - $90K/yr

Create menus according to season and customer research * Set up the kitchen with necessary tools ... Previous experience as a chef or cook * Certification from culinary school preferred * ServeSafe or ...

American Cruise Lines

Be Seen First

Pastry Chef

Boston, MA · On-site

The Pastry Chef must be creative and continually researching and testing new and different dessert and baking recipes to ensure that each guest and crew have an exceptional dining experience. While ...

Tufts University

Assistant Sous Chef

Medford, MA · On-site

$52K - $70K/yr

The Assistant Sous Chef is responsible for preparation and presentation of a variety of hot and ... Assists researching, developing, testing and adjusting recipes for all production areas. Executes ...

Level99 Entertainment

Sous Chef

Natick, MA · On-site

$58K - $68K/yr

OVERVIEW This Sous Chef position is a fantastic growth opportunity for someone looking to develop ... Research and Development RESPONSIBILITIES * Plan, prepare and execute daily service and events

Level99 Entertainment

Sous Chef

Natick, MA · On-site

$58K - $68K/yr

OVERVIEW This Sous Chef position is a fantastic growth opportunity for someone looking to develop ... Research and Development RESPONSIBILITIES * Plan, prepare and execute daily service and events

Level99 Entertainment

Sous Chef

Natick, MA · On-site

$58K - $68K/yr

OVERVIEW This Sous Chef position is a fantastic growth opportunity for someone looking to develop ... Research and Development RESPONSIBILITIES * Plan, prepare and execute daily service and events

KETTLE CUISINE LLC

Culinary R&D Specialist

Lynn, MA

$36K - $48K/yr

JOB SUMMARY The Culinary R&D Specialist plays a crucial role in supporting research and development chefs in creating innovative products. Responsibilities include maintaining a clean and organized ...

KETTLE CUISINE LLC

Culinary R&D Specialist

Lynn, MA · On-site

$50K - $65K/yr

JOB SUMMARY The Culinary R&D Specialist plays a crucial role in supporting research and development chefs in creating innovative products. Responsibilities include maintaining a clean and organized ...

Kettle Cuisine

Culinary R&D Specialist

Lynn, MA · On-site

$50K - $65K/yr

Assist chefs during internal taste panels and customer visits, as necessary.Crosstrain on all R&D Technician duties to provide backfill.Additional responsibilities as needed. Required Skills ...

KETTLE CUISINE LLC

Culinary R&D Assistant

Lynn, MA · On-site

$19 - $20/hr

Job Summary The Culinary R&D Specialist plays a crucial role in supporting research and development chefs in creating innovative products. Responsibilities include maintaining a clean and organized ...

KETTLE CUISINE LLC

Culinary R&D Assistant

Lynn, MA

$19 - $20/hr

Job Summary The Culinary R&D Specialist plays a crucial role in supporting research and development chefs in creating innovative products. Responsibilities include maintaining a clean and organized ...

Kettle Cuisine

Culinary R&D Assistant

Lynn, MA · On-site

$19 - $20/hr

Job Summary The Culinary R&D Assistant plays a crucial role in supporting research and development chefs in creating innovative products. Responsibilities include maintaining a clean and organized ...

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All JobsResearch Chef JobsResearch Chef Jobs in Boston, MA

Research Chef information

See Boston, MA salary details

$50K

$91K

$144.5K

How much do research chef jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for research chef in Boston, MA is $91,029.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $59,200.00 and $127,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a research chef?

A research chef, also known as a culinary scientist, combines culinary arts with food science to develop new recipes, food products, and menu items. They often work for food manufacturers, restaurant chains, or research and development labs, focusing on creating innovative foods that are both tasty and safe. Research chefs collaborate with food scientists, nutritionists, and marketing teams to ensure products meet quality standards, regulatory requirements, and consumer preferences. Their role is essential in bringing new food concepts from the kitchen to large-scale production.

What does a research chef do?

A research chef is a culinary professional who oversees the research and development of new recipes and food products. As a research chef, your responsibilities include assessing current offerings, working with food scientists to brainstorm concepts, and developing new recipes and products. You work in a test kitchen, either alone or with a team, to develop and test new foods for restaurants or food manufacturers. Your job is to be innovative and creative in your quest to meet consumer desires and the manufacturer or restaurants needs.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a research chef, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Research Chef, you need a strong background in culinary arts combined with food science knowledge, often supported by a culinary degree and experience in product development. Familiarity with food safety standards, recipe management software, and laboratory equipment is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and strong communication skills help you innovate and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams. These skills ensure the successful development of safe, appealing, and market-ready food products that meet consumer and industry needs.

How does a research chef typically collaborate with product development and marketing teams?

A Research Chef works closely with product development teams to translate culinary concepts into scalable food products, ensuring flavor, texture, and appearance meet both culinary and manufacturing standards. They also partner with marketing teams to align product features with current food trends and consumer preferences, often participating in taste panels and brainstorming sessions. This collaborative approach ensures that new products are both innovative and commercially viable, and fosters a dynamic work environment where ideas from multiple disciplines are integrated into the final product.

What is the difference between Research Chef vs Food Scientist?

AspectResearch ChefFood Scientist
Required CredentialsCooking skills, culinary training, sometimes culinary degreesDegree in food science, chemistry, or related field
Work EnvironmentTest kitchens, culinary labs, food companiesLaboratories, research facilities, manufacturing plants
Employer & Industry UsageFood manufacturing, product development, culinary innovationFood production, quality control, research & development

Research Chefs focus on developing new food products through culinary expertise and practical testing, often working in kitchens and food companies. Food Scientists typically conduct scientific research to improve food safety, quality, and processing, working mainly in labs. Both roles are essential in food innovation but differ in their approach and work environment.

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Infographic showing various Research Chef job openings in Boston, MA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 12% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 4% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $91,034 per year, or $43.8 per hour.

Senior Research Chef APAC - Ninja Culinary

Needham, MA

SharkNinja
Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing • 1 - 5K employees

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

46th of 159 rated electronics manufacturers

Good employer

Respectful managers

Learn more about SharkNinjaexternal

Full-time

Re-posted 20 days ago

Job description

Position Summary:

The Ninja Test Kitchen is looking for a Senior Research Chef, APAC to join our vibrant group of global chefs and food scientists. Our team takes a unique approach to product development, blending culinary arts and the science of food. The Ninja Test Kitchen shapes the product roadmap, development and story creation.

The Ninja Test Kitchen is highly collaborative, and team members are expected to contribute feedback and problem-solving ideas across all projects. Team members are expected to have a strong knowledge of the industry, to be familiar with the latest food trends, and to foster a curiosity for product development. This position will be based at our Corporate Headquarters in Needham, MA.

Responsibilities:

  • Conduct research and development exploration and testing on competitive products to inform product strategy/roadmap
  • Drive product strategy and roadmap decisions in partnership with cross-functional and regional leadership
  • Develop and lead exploratory test strategy to push the limits of what's possible with new product ideas to inform the product story and determine hero recipes
  • Define and own KPIs for ideal performance across new product functions, and validate prototypes to ensure KPIs are being met
  • Meticulously records testing results and shares results as needed with key stakeholders in a timely fashion
  • Develop preset programs and function recipe requirements
  • Mentor junior chefs and food scientists, providing technical guidance and helping raise the team's overall development capabilities
  • Validate recipes, and assemble all relevant material information, that highlight the product feature and benefits
  • Assists with developing and testing recipes to highlight products for demonstrations and marketing materials
  • Assists, attends and presents at internal and external events, as needed

Qualifications:

  • 3+ years of related culinology/culinary/food science experience or a related field, preferably at a consumer goods company
  • Degree from an accredited Culinary Arts program, or Culinology or Food Science or Nutrition; Bachelor's Degree with a focus on Marketing or Communications; or combination of education and experience
  • A mindset geared toward building relationships across multi-functional teams, coupled with excellent interpersonal skills
  • Highly-effective communication skills - both written (presentation/email) and in-person (ability to host succinct, effective conversations that solve problems and ability to make effective presentations to all levels of management, including SharkNinja's executive leadership team)
  • Strong project management skills, with the ability to prioritize effectively, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and stay organized in a fast-paced environment
  • Proven ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment in ambiguous situations, and influence stakeholders across functions and regions
  • A desire to learn and grow in a passionate environment.  The ability to embrace transparency and shifting priorities while learning from each decision and focusing on the path forward
  • Comfort with standard data acquisition tools (thermometers, texture analyzer, photo capture, etc.)
  • Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
  • Curiosity for and comfort using AI tools to accelerate research, recipe development, and workflow efficiency
  • Familiarity/experience with cuisines and culinary trends of APAC regions
  • Comfort with international hours - role will be joining calls with teams in other parts of the world that may fall early in the day or evening
  • Desired but not required: Bilingual (Japanese, Chinese, or Hindi)

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