Applications Scientist

The Role

We are seeking a highly motivated Application Scientist (Research Chef or Culinary Chemist) to bridge ingredient innovation and real-world food applications. This role will focus on translating our functional ingredients into validated, customer-ready formulations across key categories including plant-based foods, dairy and dairy alternatives, functional snacks, bakery, sauces, and nutritional beverages. You will work closely with R&D, commercial, and external partners to demonstrate performance, optimise functionality, and accelerate market adoption. This is a hands-on, high-impact role in a fast-growing ingredient startup. We would love to meet candidates from a variety of backgrounds, and therefore urge applicants to apply even if they feel they might not meet all of the required experience.

What you'll do

• Lead the development and optimisation of food formulations using AmaranthLabs ingredients (protein- and starch-based) across dairy and dairy alternatives, functional snacks, bakery, sauces, and nutritional beverages.
• Define ingredient inclusion levels, processing parameters, and formulation strategies to achieve targeted functionality.
• Design and execute structured application trials, including experimental design, prototype development, and benchmarking against commercial ingredients.
• Diagnose and resolve formulation or processing challenges by applying a strong understanding of ingredient functionality and food structure–function relationships.
• Translate experimental results into clear formulation guidance and application protocols to support successful ingredient integration by customers.
• Support customer engagement through application prototypes, technical discussions, and involvement in pilot and scale-up trials.
• Collaborate with internal R&D and process development teams to translate application insights into ingredient improvements.
• Generate and communicate technical datasets that support ingredient specifications, product positioning, and commercial adoption.
• Maintain rigorous documentation of experiments, formulations, and application insights.

What we're looking for

• BSc or MSc in Food Science, Food Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related discipline.
• 3+ years of experience in food formulation and ingredient applications, ideally within dairy, functional snacks, bakery, sauces, or nutritional beverages.
• Strong understanding of ingredient functionality and interactions in complex food systems.
• Hands-on experience developing and optimising formulations with a strong grasp of texture, stability, and sensory performance.
• Experience scaling formulations from bench to pilot or production environments.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to diagnose formulation challenges.
• Excellent communication and project management skills, with ability to collaborate across technical and commercial teams.
• Customer-facing experience and ability to translate technical insights into practical formulation guidance.

Perks & benefits

• Competitive salary
• Share option scheme
• Brand new lab and office space at Abingdon Science Park, Oxfordshire
• 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays
• Gym membership
• Private health insurance
• Ongoing learning and career development opportunities