Research & Development Senior Scientist

Chobani; Allentown (Lehigh County); On-site; USD 94,000 - 148,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition reimbursement

401k match

Parental leave (12 weeks)

Wellness resources

Paid time off: 120 hours + holidays +

Volunteer time off

Job summary

Chobani is seeking a Food Scientist to lead the next wave of product innovations in healthy beverages and snacks. You will drive development from concept through commercialization, collaborating with dairy teams and external partners.

The role requires a strong food science foundation, curiosity, and ability to manage multiple projects while traveling up to 25%. Join a mission-driven company producing yogurt, oat milk, and more, with robust benefits.

Qualifications

• Minimum B.S. in food/dairy science or related life science; advanced degree preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in dairy beverages; milk filtration and aseptic processing knowledge preferred.
• Experience with ingredients, stabilizers, alternative sweeteners, flavor development and stability.
• Experience in process/product development and commercialization of food processes; dairy UHT aseptic processing a bonus.
• Familiar with basic research tools and statistical analysis.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to work in fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to travel up to 25%.

Responsibilities

• Execute R&D plans for product development beyond yogurt aligned with company objectives.
• Design experiments; maintain records, collect data, and prepare summaries.
• Plan development work in lab and pilot scale; lead tests to qualify products.
• Develop new analytical measurements for new products and processing tech.
• Manage technical development projects across product development and process.
• Lead projects from conceptualization to commercialization with budget/time targets.
• Communicate requirements and status to internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with plant processing and production for trials and start-up operations.
• Adhere to safety and Good Manufacturing practices.

Skills

5+ years in dairy beverages

Milk filtration

Aseptic processing

Flavor development

Product processing & stability

Process development & commercial

Basic research tools & statistics

Strong written & verbal communication

Self-starter; multitasking

Travel willingness 25%

Education

B.S. Food/Dairy Science or related life science

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Summary

Our Research and Innovation department is at the forefront of product development and innovation. It is easy to be dedicated when you're a part of something much bigger than yourself. We've got an insatiable appetite for making a difference. The ideal Food Scientist candidate will have an integral role in leading the product development of our next wave product innovations in healthy beverages and snacks, while also developing technical support to our growing dairy business. We are looking for a candidate with a strong food science foundation, insatiable curiosity and a demonstrated expertise in product innovation, to help Chobani advance its' mission of making healthy and delicious foods for all.

Responsibilities

• Execute research and development plans and strategies for product development in support of company objectives, in particular on new food platforms beyond yogurt.
• Design and execute experiments based on project objectives, excellent record keeping, data collection and analysis and preparing project summaries.
• Plan and carry out development work in lab and pilot scale; design, develop, and lead tests to qualify new products and to support changes to existing products.
• Conduct and develop new analytical measurements in support of new product designs & new processing technologies.
• Manage technical development projects focusing on product development, process, and product care to help Chobani improve and launch more innovative food and beverage products.
• Lead and document development projects all the way from conceptualization to commercialization - this includes budget and target within certain time constraints.
• Communicate project requirements and recommendations as well as status to internal customers and external stakeholders.
• Lead, assist, and work directly with plant processing and production personnel to ensure trial runs and start-up operations are properly performed.
• Follow Chobani's safety procedures and Good Manufacturing procedures and practices.

Requirements

• Minimum B.S. Food/Dairy Science or related life science degree. Advanced degree strongly preferred.
• 5+ years of food industry experience required in dairy beverages. Milk Filtration and Aseptic processing knowledge is preferred.
• Extensive ingredients (stabilizers, alternative sweeteners), flavor development, and product processing and stability knowledge.
• Background in process and product development and commercialization of food processes is required. Dairy UHT Aseptic processing would be a big bonus. Proven track record of leading product development projects including timeline development / management, testing / trials, operational launch and scale.
• Familiarity with basic research tools and statistical analysis.
• Comfortable with ambiguity and are energized by the process of building something from the ground up.
• Innate curiosity for understanding complex food systems from a physical and chemical perspective.
• Maintain clean & safe manufacturing environment within all facilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Must be a self-starter able to work in a fast-paced environment and handle multiple projects/tasks at any given time.
• Willingness to travel (25%).

About Us

Chobani is a food maker with a mission of making high-quality and nutritious food accessible to more people, while elevating our communities and making the world a healthier place. In short: making good food for all. In support of this mission, Chobani is a purpose-driven, people-first, food-and-wellness-focused company, and has been since its founding in 2005 byHamdi Ulukaya, an immigrant to the U.S. The Company manufactures yogurt, oat milk, and creamers - Chobani yogurt is America's No.1 yogurt brand, made with natural ingredients without artificial preservatives. Following the 2023 acquisition of La Colombe, a leading coffee roaster with a shared commitment to quality, craftmanship and impact, the Company began selling cold-pressed espresso and lattes on tap at cafes nationwide, as well as Ready to Drink (RTD) coffee beverages at retail. In 2025, Chobani acquired Daily Harvest, a modern brand offering consumers nutritious, delicious and convenient ready-to-make meals.

Chobani uses food as a force for good in the world - putting humanity first in everything it does. The company's philanthropic efforts prioritize giving back to its communities and beyond. Chobani manufactures its products inNew York,Idaho,MichiganandAustralia, and its products are available throughoutNorth Americaand distributed inAustraliaand other select markets.

For more information, please visitwww.chobani.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Chobani is an equal opportunity employer. Chobani will not discriminate against any applicant for employment on any basis including, but not limited to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, military and/or veteran status, marital status, predisposing genetic characteristics and genetic information, or any other classification protected by federal, state, and local laws.

The salary range for this full-time position is $94,000.00 - $147,950.00, + bonus + equity + benefits. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

Chobani provides a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision coverage, disability insurance, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, and tuition reimbursement. To help save for the future, all employees are eligible for a 401k match of 100% on up to 5% of eligible pay. To support growing families, we provide fertility and childcare assistance, and 12 weeks of parental leave at full pay after six months of continuous employment. In addition, we provide wellness resources which include an employee assistance program, fitness discounts, a wellness reimbursement, on-site gym access (certain locations) and a monthly wellness newsletter to connect you with resources and timely information. We offer various types of paid time of including: 120 hours of paid time off, 11 holidays, and paid volunteer time off.