Application Scientist

Tribonet; Abingdon; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Trilogy Flavors in Abingdon, UK, is seeking an Application Scientist to bridge flavor development and functional food science. You will test and optimize natural flavors across matrices and collaborate with flavor chemists, sales, and external manufacturers.

The role emphasizes hands-on bench work, sensory evaluation, and ensuring regulatory compliance across USDA Organic, FDA, and international standards, with GLP/GMP practices in the lab.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Food Engineering, or a closely related scientific discipline (Advanced degree preferred).
• 3-5+ years hands-on experience in flavor applications, product development, or food manufacturing environments.
• Deep understanding of flavor chemistry within beverages, dairy, or savory applications.

Responsibilities

• Execute bench-top trials to evaluate flavor performance and taste profiles.
• Develop baseline formulations to screen and present Trilogy’s flavor library to clients.
• Troubleshoot application challenges and translate briefs into flavor strategies.
• Lead technical discussions with customers and Account Managers and present prototypes.
• Collaborate in cross-functional teams to scale from lab to production.

Skills

Sensory Acuity

Project Management

Technical Proficiency

Flavor Applications

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, or Food Engineering

Tools

Laboratory analytical tools

Job description

An educational platform on tribology — the science of friction, wear and lubrication

Who is it for

Engineers, researchers, students and industry professionals

As an Application Scientist at Trilogy Flavors, you will bridge the gap between creative flavor development and functional food science. You will serve as the primary technical subject matter expert, testing and optimizing our premium natural flavors, citrus specialties, essential oils, and liquid seasonings across real-world food and beverage matrices.

Working in our state-of-the-art Abingdon laboratory, you will collaborate directly with our Flavor Chemists, Sales teams, and external food manufacturers to turn creative consumer trends into commercially viable, delicious products. This role relies heavily on hands-on bench-top formulation and sensory evaluation.

Key Responsibilities

• Execute bench-top trials to evaluate flavor performance, stability, and taste profiles across varied food and beverage matrices.
• Develop standard base formulations to effectively screen, showcase, and present Trilogy’s flavor library to clients.
• Troubleshoot complex application challenges
• Lead technical discussions with customers and Account Managers, translating customer project briefs into actionable flavor selection strategies.
• Prepare and present innovative, customized prototype concepts directly to client R&D teams.
• Participate in cross-functional project teams to ensure seamless scale-up from lab bench to commercial production facilities.

Sensory, Regulatory & Documentation

• Apply advanced sensory science and evaluation skills to log precise tasting feedback, summarize panel results, and refine flavor dosing.
• Partner with the Quality and Regulatory teams to guarantee that all formulations adhere to USDA Organic, TTB, FDA, and international food safety standards.
• Maintain standard laboratory safety protocols (GLP/GMP) and manage the on-site flavor stock library.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Food Engineering, or a closely related scientific discipline (Advanced degree preferred).
• Experience: 3-5+ years of hands-on experience in flavor applications, product development, or food manufacturing environments.
• Matrix Expertise: Deep understanding of flavor chemistry functionality within beverages (functional, carbonated), dairy, or savory applications.
• Sensory Acuity: Demonstrated ability to accurately evaluate flavors, identify subtle taste profiles, and articulate clear technical adjustments.
• Tech Savvy: Proficiency with laboratory analytical tools
• Traits: Strong project management abilities, comfortable handling multiple client deadlines simultaneously within a fast-paced environment.
• Travel: Ability to occasionally travel (up to 20%) to support client plant trials and technical integrations.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand or remain stationary in a laboratory environment for extended periods.
• Ability to lift, move, or transport ingredient containers weighing up to 50 lbs.
• Must be comfortable tasting various food and beverage products, which may contain common allergens.