R&D Principal Scientist

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This range is provided by M2 Ingredients. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

$/yr - $/yr

Annual Bonus

We are passionate about our mission to harness the amazing power of mushrooms for healthier lives.

M2 Ingredients is the leading vertically integrated organic functional mushroom solution provider in the Western Hemisphere. We grow our portfolio of functional mushrooms indoors in our controlled, state‑of‑the‑art facility in Vista, CA. M2 Ingredients sells its functional ingredients to global brands in the supplement, beverage and food channels.

M2 Ingredients was founded in 2010 by Sandra Carter, a health and wellness expert with a PhD in preventative medicine, and Steve Farrar, a mycologist with over 30 years of experience in growing mushrooms. Both founders are active in the business.

The R&D Principal Scientist will lead projects for testing method development & optimization for the M2 Ingredient business. The R&D Principal Scientist will be charged to lead projects related to the improvements of the M2 ingredient portfolio to improve the ingredients potency and bioavailability through strain selection, growth conditions, bioactive compound testing method development and ingredient processing. The R&D Principal Scientist will also participate in the operational readiness to ramp up and launch new ingredients on time, with a high level of quality and maximum customer availability.

A successful R&D Principal Scientist is a creative and collaborative partner, is driven, organized, and detail oriented and is thoughtful and effective in problem solving and responding to the customer's needs.

• Collaborate with external labs to optimize and develop analytical methods to strengthen the M2 Ingredients product specifications.
• Develop and validate through testing the Finish Product Specifications of each new ingredient as it relates to the functional and nutritional benefits of the product.
• Support the FSQA team in investigation that involves testing method viability and accuracy.
• Actively participate in new ingredient development, from discovery and initial feasibility assessment to product qualification, business evaluation and commercialization such as new strain development to create ingredient specification that are more competitive in the marketplace.
• Contribute new ideas within the cross‑functional team that drives the innovation pipeline at M2 Ingredients through scientific and technical insights.
• Ensure projects meet deadlines, quality and regulatory standards from ideation to full scale production by engaging the cross functional team on the project timeline and keeping the team informed and accountable throughout the development phases.
• Collaborate with CSO and Mycology team on creating patent filing submission dossiers and contribute to patent strategy.

• M.Sc. in chemistry, biochemistry or other relevant science degrees.
• 5 + years of experience in the functional ingredients, dietary supplements or functional food industry in product development role including experience formulating, leading plant trials and production start‑up.
• Laboratory experience or experience interpreting results for the following analytical methods an asset: mass spectrometry, DNA sequencing, chromatography, antibody assays.
• Experience managing external laboratories and contract research organization.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proven ability to prioritize and organize workload to ensure timely delivery of tasks.
• Passion for product testing, food science and safety and quality in the food industry.
• Exceptional ability to identify and resolve problems efficiently and effectively by providing appropriate solutions.

This full‑time role will receive a competitive salary + benefits, including medical, dental, vision, PTO, 401k match. This position's anticipated annual pay range is $120,000 – $140,000 plus an annual bonus. Various factors are…