Food Scientist

What We Do

Compound Foods is an early-stage food tech startup leveraging food science, fermentation, and synthetic biology to recreate coffee without coffee beans. Our team is on a mission to create better and more sustainable products for all.

Job Description

Our Food Scientist team is seeking a Food Scientist with a background in food science and hands-on experience in product development to join our product development team to assist with the development and commercialization of a coffee alternative. You will be responsible for collaborating with other teams to build the product from ideation through commercialization and associated support work under general supervision. You will have the opportunity to make an immediate impact on our core scientific understanding, initiate creative product and process development, and evolve into leadership roles.

Reports To

This position reports to the Head of Product, Swetha Mahadevan. A seasoned food scientist in the alternative food space, Swetha is utilizing her experience alternative food science to create new type of coffee without actual coffee beans. Swetha leveraged her food sciences experience by leading plant protein ingredient research to discovery of new product development.

What We Need Your Help With

• Explore and iterate on food ingredients to create unique formulas and products.

• Understand ingredient functionality and be able to formulate new coffee alternative products based on that knowledge.

• Be willing to taste, roast coffees, brew, and learn the language to sensorily describe them!

• Communicate with suppliers to source new ingredients and compile information to ensure compliance with food safety and quality requirements.

• Develop formulation trial plans

• Conduct pilot plant testing, product evaluation, and troubleshooting to transition prototypes from benchtop to commercialization

What We Look For

• Degree in Food Science and Food related science (preferable), but also Engineering, Biotechnology or a related field
• B.S. with 4-7 years or M.S. 2-4 years or PhD with 1-2 years od post-graduation experience in food product development or flavor lab
• Food formulation and product development experience is a must
• Process development and scale up experience is a plus
• Candidate must possess a high level of technical aptitude, excellent communication, organization, and collaborative skills, and demonstrated ability to innovate, troubleshoot, and thrive in a dynamic cross-functional team environment