Associate Scientist, Food Science — Ingredient Innovation

Kemin; Des Moines (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health & wellness support

Career development

Tuition reimbursement

Community service opportunities

Job summary

Kemin Industries Food Technologies is seeking an Associate Scientist in Food Science to join our team of researchers focused on developing new ingredients and applications. You will design experiments, evaluate ingredient functionality, and help bring new products to market while maintaining rigorous scientific methods and industry practicality.

You will work alongside microbiologists, chemists, and processing engineers to advance clean-label, affordable ingredient innovations and support

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 7+ years of industrial experience.
• Master's degree with 3+ years of industrial experience.

Responsibilities

• Independently design and conduct food science experiments to develop new ingredients, formulations, and application solutions.
• Develop and evaluate ingredient functionality in relevant food systems, including performance, stability, sensory impact, and processing compatibility.
• Develop and review experimental protocols, application testing methods, SOPs, and safe work procedures for laboratory and pilot-scale activities.
• Conduct literature, patent, competitor technology reviews to guide ingredient innovation strategy and application development.
• Prepare technical reports, invention disclosures, internal publications, and external communications with appropriate guidance and review.
• Present research findings, application results, and technical recommendations to internal teams, customers, and external collaborators as needed.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with quality, regulatory, operations, sales, and marketing teams to support successful product development and commercialization.
• Identify and participate in external collaborations with suppliers, universities, customers, and technical partners to advance ingredient and application development.
• Provide technical guidance, training, and support to interns, junior scientists, and cross-functional team members.
• Maintain laboratory and instrument readiness by following proper operating procedures, calibration schedules, documentation practices, and routine maintenance requirements.

Skills

Food science knowledge

Ingredient functionality

Food processing

Experiment design

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's in Food Science/Chemistry/Biochemistry

Master's in Food Science/Chemistry/Biochemistry

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Kemin Industries Food Technologies is seeking an Associate Scientist in Food Science to join our team of researchers focused on developing new ingredients and applications. You will design experiments, evaluate ingredient functionality, and help bring new products to market while maintaining rigorous scientific methods and industry practicality.

You will work alongside microbiologists, chemists, and processing engineers to advance clean-label, affordable ingredient innovations and support