"Food and Dairy Application Scientist"

About the Job

A hands on product development and research position. The individual will understand the emerging research, industry trends and ingredient functionality to conduct designed experiments in the lab and pilot plant.

Percent travel:10-20%

Job accountabilities:

• Project Leadership & Technical Expertise
  • Plays a pivotal role in advancing the Polylactose and other projects milestone goals and supporting PI.
  • Serves as a subject matter expert in dairy and food applications, actively leading technical discussions with the PI and clients, and guiding project direction through scientific insight.
  • Collaborates with potential commercial client teams to bridge research with practical applications, fostering innovation through customer engagement and cross-functional partnerships.
• Technical Leadership & Communication
  • Independently develops and delivers compelling technical presentations, highlighting new processing methods and product innovations to support project goals.
  • Clearly articulate Dairy NutriSol’s unique value proposition to internal and external stakeholders, including at tradeshows, industry forums, and scientific symposia.
  • Translates complex scientific data (functional, nutritional, toxicological) into practical applications tailored for diverse audiences, from academic peers to commercial partners.
• Client Engagement & Problem Solving
  • Partners closely with commercial partners/ clients to identify pain points and deliver customized, innovative solutions.
  • Leads technical discussions with clients and actively participates in UMN and external cross-functional teams to address complex opportunities and respond to RFPs.
  • Identifies and cultivates new customers and business opportunities to expand the project’s reach and commercial relevance.
• Strategic Collaboration
  • Works with internal teams (R&D, Manufacturing, Nutrition group) to influence commercial strategy, align priorities, and maximize revenue opportunities.
  • Drives alignment among stakeholders to ensure efficient management and timely completion of customer opportunities.
  • Engages industry partners (e.g. Agropur, Buhler, Mondelez, and Wells) to validate project relevance and strengthen commercialization pathways.
• Innovation & Product Development
  • Supports and leads product development activities to move Polylactose concepts toward commercialization.
  • Provides feedback to R&D based on customer interactions, identifying gaps and opportunities for improvement.
  • Contributes to the innovation pipeline by suggesting new product ideas, product enhancements, and rationalization strategies.
• Regulatory & Safety Leadership
  • Contributes to the preparation of regulatory dossiers, including GRAS and FDA submissions, by compiling scientific data and supporting safety, and history-of-use documentation.
  • Ensures the project’s progress aligns with compliance requirements to facilitate smooth approval and future commercialization.
• Commercialization Pathways
  • Bridges early-stage lab research with scale-up and pilot plant activities, ensuring processes and formulations are commercially viable.
  • Identifies market entry strategies and potential end-use applications for Polylactose in food, beverage, and nutrition sectors.
• Mentorship & Capacity Building
  • Mentors graduate students and early-career scientists, strengthening project capacity and fostering technical expertise within the team.
  • Provides industry-focused training and knowledge transfer to help partners and clients adopt new technologies.

Qualifications

Required

• MS degree in Dairy Science, Food Science, Microbiology or related disciplines.
• A minimum of 3 years research and product development experience in application labs, CPG companies or food ingredient companies

Preferred: Knowledge & Skill Requirements

• Ability to communicate effectively (verbal and written). A technical publication history is desirable
• Good cross-functional leadership skills and demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and ability to work independently or in a team environment
• Broad understanding of new product innovation from research concept to commercialization
• Good working knowledge of experimental design and product development protocols (including formulation, stability testing, sensory and consumer testing methodology)
• Skilled at project management, delivering against objectives, budget and time while effectively managing resources both internally and with external vendors.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $ 75721 annually

Time Appointment: 75 % Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

A resumé and cover letter is required for consideration.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.