Senior Research Development Scientist

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

401k with company match

Fertility and childcare assistance

Parental leave (12 weeks at full pay)

Wellness resources and gym access

Job summary

Chobani is seeking a Food Scientist to lead the development of new product innovations in healthy beverages and snacks, while also supporting the growing dairy business.

You will bring a strong food science foundation, curiosity, and a proven track record in product innovation to advance the company’s mission of making healthy, delicious foods for all.

Qualifications

• BS in Food/Dairy Science or related life science field; Advanced degree preferred.
• 5+ years of dairy beverages experience; milk filtration and aseptic processing knowledge preferred.
• Strong knowledge of ingredients, flavors, stabilizers, and product processing and stability.
• Experience leading product development projects from concept to commercialization with timelines and launches.
• Familiarity with basic research tools and statistical analysis.

Responsibilities

• Execute R&D plans for new food platforms beyond yogurt and support product development objectives.
• Design experiments with meticulous record-keeping, data collection and project summaries.
• Plan development work in lab and pilot scale; lead tests to qualify new products and changes.
• Develop new analytical measurements for design and processing technologies.
• Manage technical development projects focusing on product development, process and care to improve innovations.
• Lead projects from concept through commercialization, including budget and timing constraints.
• Communicate project requirements and recommendations to internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with plant processing and production teams to ensure proper trial runs and start-up operations.
• Adhere to safety and GMP procedures.

Skills

Food science

Product development

Experiment design

Data analysis

Project management

Team leadership

Education

BS in Food/Dairy Science

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Basic research tools

Job description

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.
• 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 by Hamdi 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 cafés 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 in New York, Idaho, Michigan and Australia, and its products are available throughout North America and distributed in Australia and other select markets.

For more information, please visit www.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.