Research & Development Food Scientist

• Support the development of innovative dairy products, ingredients and manufacturing processes using advanced analytical techniques
• Translate customer, consumer and market needs into technically robust product and process solutions
• Conduct routine and advanced chemical, physical and functional analyses of milk, dairy ingredients and finished products
• Design, develop, optimise and validate analytical methods and experimental protocols
• Plan and execute laboratory experiments, analyse complex datasets using statistical methods, and translate findings into recommendations
• Provide analytical expertise to multidisciplinary R&D projects and collaborate with product developers, process engineers, quality teams and manufacturing colleagues
• Support pilot plant trials, scale-up activities, troubleshooting, and transfer of analytical methods and processes into R&D and production
• Prepare technical reports, scientific documentation, presentations and SOPs; maintain laboratory records and equipment
• Identify opportunities to improve analytical capability, laboratory efficiency and adoption of emerging analytical technologies
• Build relationships with universities, suppliers, equipment manufacturers and external partners
• Monitor scientific literature, competitor activity, ingredient technologies and emerging analytical or processing approaches
• Communicate technical progress, risks, results and recommendations to project teams, senior stakeholders and manufacturing partners

Requirements

• Master's degree or PhD in Dairy Science, Food Science, Food Technology, Food Engineering, Chemistry, Biochemistry or a related discipline; dairy specialisation preferred
• Minimum of 3 years' experience in an R&D or technical development role within an industrial or applied research environment
• Experience in analytical science within the food, dairy or ingredients sector
• Experience with laboratory testing, analytical method development, validation and troubleshooting
• Strong understanding of food chemistry and dairy composition
• Experience operating analytical instrumentation and techniques such as chromatography, spectroscopy, thermal analysis, rheology, particle size analysis and protein characterisation
• Ability to generate, analyse and interpret complex scientific data using appropriate statistical methods
• Knowledge of laboratory quality management systems and safe laboratory working practices
• Strong organisational and project management skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of multidisciplinary teams
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to prepare technical reports, present scientific findings and engage with internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to simplify complex science for non-specialist audiences
• Proactive, curious and results-oriented approach with strong critical thinking, persistence and commitment to continuous improvement and scientific excellence

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in analytical science and method development within the dairy and food sectors, with a strong focus on translating complex scientific data into actionable insights. Proficient in laboratory practices, project management, and effective communication with diverse stakeholders.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Analytical Method Development
• Food Chemistry Expertise
• Laboratory Testing Experience
• Statistical Data Analysis
• Project Management Skills

ATS Optimization Keywords Hard Skills

• Chromatography
• Spectroscopy
• Thermal Analysis
• Rheology
• Particle Size Analysis
• Protein Characterisation
• Analytical Instrumentation
• Data Interpretation
• Method Validation
• Troubleshooting

Soft Skills

• Excellent Communication Skills
• Organisational Skills
• Critical Thinking
• Team Collaboration
• Proactive Approach

Industry Keywords

• Dairy Science
• Food Science
• Food Technology
• Food Engineering
• Biochemistry
• R&D
• Industrial Research
• Emerging Analytical Technologies
• Technical Documentation
• SOPs

Tools & Technologies

• Laboratory Quality Management Systems
• Statistical Software