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Research Chef Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

Head Chef

Seattle, WA · On-site

$80K - $110K/yr

Lead menu R&D, incorporating customer feedback and food trends. * Standardize recipes to ensure ... As Head Chef, you'll have the creative freedom and resources to make a lasting impact on the team ...

Head Chef

Seattle, WA · On-site

$80K - $110K/yr

Lead menu R&D, incorporating customer feedback and food trends. * Standardize recipes to ensure ... As Head Chef, you'll have the creative freedom and resources to make a lasting impact on the team ...

Head Chef

Seattle, WA · On-site

$80K - $110K/yr

Lead menu R&D, incorporating customer feedback and food trends. * Standardize recipes to ensure ... As Head Chef, you'll have the creative freedom and resources to make a lasting impact on the team ...

We're looking for a handson Sous Chef who leads from the line and thrives in service.. Perks ... This role may involve the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support research, analysis ...

New

Executive Chef

Issaquah, WA · On-site

$91K - $95K/yr

Research customer preferences and develops a menu which incorporates local foods and flavors ... Hands-on chefs experience a must. * Comprehensive knowledge of food and catering trends with a ...

Executive Chef

Issaquah, WA · On-site

$91K - $95K/yr

Research customer preferences and develops a menu which incorporates local foods and flavors ... Hands-on chefs experience a must. * Comprehensive knowledge of food and catering trends with a ...

Executive Chef

Issaquah, WA · On-site

$91K - $95K/yr

Research customer preferences and develops a menu which incorporates local foods and flavors ... Hands-on chefs experience a must. * Comprehensive knowledge of food and catering trends with a ...

Executive Chef

Issaquah, WA · On-site

$91K - $95K/yr

Research customer preferences and develops a menu which incorporates local foods and flavors ... Hands-on chefs experience a must. * Comprehensive knowledge of food and catering trends with a ...

Sales Consultant - Tacoma

Kent, WA · On-site

$60 - $80/hr

Are you an experienced Sales Professional, Restaurant Manager, Culinary Manager or Chef looking for ... Research customer business needs and develops a mix of products and service to meet needs.

New

Sales Consultant - Olympia

Kent, WA · On-site

$70 - $100/hr

Are you an experienced Sales Professional, Restaurant Manager, Culinary Manager or Chef looking for ... Research customer business needs and develops a mix of products and service to meet needs.

Sales Consultant - Olympia

Seattle, WA · On-site

$51K - $85K/yr

... or Chef looking for career development opportunities? Join Sysco's World Class Sales Team and ... Research customer business needs and develops a mix of products and service to meet needs.

Sales Consultant

Kent, WA · On-site

$51K - $85K/yr

... or Chef looking for career development opportunities? Join Sysco's World Class Sales Team and ... Research customer business needs and develops a mix of products and service to meet needs.

Sales Consultant - Olympia

Kent, WA · On-site

$53K - $88K/yr

... or Chef looking for career development opportunities? Join Sysco's World Class Sales Team and ... Research customer business needs and develops a mix of products and service to meet needs.

... or Chef looking for career development opportunities? Join Sysco's World Class Sales Team and ... Research customer business needs and develops a mix of products and service to meet needs.

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Showing results 1-20

Research Chef information

See Seattle, WA salary details

$52.4K

$95.4K

$151.4K

How much do research chef jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for research chef in Seattle, WA is $95,413.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $62,100.00 and $133,800.00 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.

What are popular job titles related to Research Chef jobs in Seattle, WA?

For Research Chef jobs in Seattle, WA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Research Chef jobs in Seattle, WA look for?

The top searched job categories for Research Chef jobs in Seattle, WA are:

Infographic showing various Research Chef job openings in Seattle, WA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $95,413 per year, or $45.9 per hour.

Post-Doctoral Research Fellow - Koch Lab

Mundelein Elementary School District 75

Seattle, WA • On-site

$80.17 - $95.01/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 2 days ago

New


Key responsibilities

  • Spearhead an independent research project with support from the PI.

  • Design, perform, and analyze experiments using murine models and high‑throughput datasets.

  • Mentor junior lab members and participate in lab meetings, journal clubs, and scheduled meetings with the PI.


Job description

Overview

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is an independent, nonprofit organization providing adult cancer treatment and groundbreaking research focused on cancer and infectious diseases. Based in Seattle, Fred Hutch is the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in Washington.

With a track record of global leadership in bone marrow transplantation, HIV/AIDS prevention, immunotherapy and COVID-19 vaccines, Fred Hutch has earned a reputation as one of the world's leading cancer, infectious disease and biomedical research centers. Fred Hutch operates eight clinical care sites that provide medical oncology, infusion, radiation, proton therapy and related services, and network affiliations with hospitals in five states. Together, our fully integrated research and clinical care teams seek to discover new cures to the world's deadliest diseases and make life beyond cancer a reality.

At Fred Hutch we value collaboration, compassion, determination, excellence, innovation, integrity and respect. Our mission is directly tied to the humanity, dignity and inherent value of each employee, patient, community member and supporter. Our commitment to learning across our differences and similarities make us stronger. We seek employees who bring different and innovative ways of seeing the world and solving problems.

The Koch Lab (Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutch) is recruiting a Postdoctoral Fellow to conduct research aimed at understanding maternal‑mediated regulation of offspring immunity in addition to other foundational biological processes including: host‑microbe interactions, immune development, and organismal physiology. The lab incorporates methodology common to diverse disciplines to conduct our research, and candidates should feel comfortable using multiple orthogonal approaches to conduct and validate their research.

Further information on the lab's research projects can be found at: https://research.fredhutch.org/koch/en.html

The Koch Lab provides a supportive environment that strongly emphasizes individualized mentoring. Upon joining, we will prioritize your continued development as an independent scientist. We will work with you to identify and develop plans to achieve your research and professional development goals. Fellowship opportunities are available through several philanthropic and government organizations; and recruits who join the lab will be supported in their applications.

Responsibilities
  • Spearheading an independent research project with support from the PI
  • Performing experiments to progress grant applications and acceptance of manuscripts
  • Designing and analyzing experiments using murine models
  • Troubleshooting technical issues
  • Analyzing high‑throughput datasets
  • Mentoring junior lab members
  • Participation in a weekly lab meeting/journal club
  • Participation in scheduled meetings with the PI and/or trainees
  • Preparation of manuscripts
  • Precise note taking and organizational skills
Other Expectations
  • Work collaboratively within the Koch Lab, and with Hutch and external collaborators.
  • Apply for postdoctoral fellowships and/or career development awards.
  • Show respect to all members of the lab and the broader Hutch community.
Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

  • A recently completed Ph.D. degree in immunology, or a related discipline.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • A clear ability and desire for independent research and active participation in a highly collaborative environment
  • Expertise with mouse models, flow cytometry, and bioinformatics.
  • Track record of rigorous research, corroborated by leaders in the field (e.g., graduate student mentor).
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience in cellular and molecular biology.
  • Experience with tissue culture, microbiology, and/or molecular biology.
  • At least one published first‑author research paper in a peer‑reviewed journal.
Salary and Benefits

The annual base salary range for this position is from $80,172 to $95,014, and pay offered will be based on experience and qualifications.

This position may be eligible for relocation assistance.

Although Fred Hutch is not sponsoring most H‑1B visas at this time, candidates who already hold an H‑1B sponsored by another organization and are currently in the U.S. may be eligible for this position.

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center offers employees a comprehensive benefits package designed to enhance health, well‑being, and financial security. Benefits include medical/vision, dental, flexible spending accounts, life, disability, retirement, family life support, employee assistance program, onsite health clinic, income‑based child care subsidy, tuition reimbursement, paid vacation (22 days per year), paid sick leave (up to 30 calendar days per occurrence of a qualifying reason), paid holidays (13 days per year), and paid parental leave (up to 4 weeks).

Additional Information

We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, disability (physical or mental), marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, political ideology, or membership in any other legally protected class. We desire priority referrals of protected veterans. If due to a disability you need assistance/and or a reasonable accommodation during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to Human Resources at hrops@fredhutch.org or by calling 206‑667‑4700.

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