Application scientist, Research Scientist

The Role

We are seeking a highly motivated Application Scientist 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.

• Lead the development and optimisation of food formulations using Amaranth Labs 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.

• 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.

• 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.