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Form of work At New Culture, we make cow cheese without the cow. Dairy cheese is unsustainable and plant-based cheeses don't work. Ours are sustainable, healthy, ethical, and indistinguishable from current dairy options in taste, texture, and function. Using fermentation to produce dairy proteins, food science to combine those proteins with natural ingredients, and traditional cheesemaking methods to make any cheese of choice, we are bringing about a new culture for the cheese industry.
We are a Bay Area-based, venture-backed startup in an exciting growth and expansion phase. We are looking for an experienced and motivated Food Scientist to join us in our mission of producing animal-free dairy cheese. By being one of our early employees, you will have significant say and responsibility in determining the success and outcomes of New Culture. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-moving collaborative environment, and will have a deep understanding of novel food research, design and development.
What you will be doing
- Work with the Food Science Team to optimize and commercialize the world's first animal-free dairy mozzarella cheese
- Apply principles of texture analysis and rheology to evaluate and enhance product performance and experience
- Develop and conduct analytical assays to understand the protein biochemistry of our animal-free casein as related to its behavior and functionality in food systems, and in particular in cheese
- Conduct product evaluations and in-house sensory testing
- Collaborate with chefs and industry partners to craft and deliver product culinary experiences for internal and external product showcases
- Support scale-up and technology transfer to contract manufacturers
- Participate in IP generation and applications development
- Keep meticulous records of R&D activities (product iterations, new ingredient trials, processing methods, analytical assays)
- Collaborate cross-functionally with DSP, Business/Marketing, and external advisors to achieve product and commercialization milestones
What we expect from you:
- PhD in Food Science/Chemistry, PhD in Protein Biochemistry with food product R&D experience, or MSc with 3+ years of relevant industry experience
- Experience with novel food product development
- Ability to design, perform, and troubleshoot experiments independently
- Strong data analysis and interpretation skills
- Technical expertise in ingredient chemistry as it relates to functionality and stability in food systems
- Hands-on experience with texture analysis, rheology, and emulsification instruments and methods
- Familiarity with CGMP, HACCP, QC/QA standards and testing frameworks, and basic principles of food safety
- Ability to deliver high-quality work under constraints of time and budget
- Ability to work cross-functionally and adapt to dynamic workflows and shifting priorities
- Creative and resourceful problem solving skills
- Self-starter and goal-oriented with team-first mentality
Even better if you had:
- Experience developing food products with dairy proteins
- Experience in product development and launch for foodservice
- Scale-up experienceExperience coordinating and conducting sensory panels
- Proficiency in Genesis R&D Food Formulation & Labeling Software or equivalent, and familiarity with FDA nutrition and health claims
- Previous experience at a start-up or small business
$100,000 - $135,000 a year
How to know you are a great fit:
We look for candidates who are team players, learners, doers, and hungry to make a difference in the world. Creativity and resourcefulness, honesty and empathy go a long way. Our five core values guide us on our path to achieving our mission.
Determination with Kindness | Have the resolve, the drive, and the will to succeed, but do it with empathy, encouragement, and compassion. In the face of adversity we will only excel as a team by keeping kindness at the forefront of everything we do.
Creativity with Transparency | Creativity, persistence, questioning, and crazy ideas to solve hard problems are essential to our work. We do all of this out in the open while being honest and forthright about the new things we're trying, getting feedback and input from our teammates along the way.
Teamwork with Rigor | Hold yourself and those around you to high standards and understand how your responsibilities are interconnected with others'. As much as you rely on your teammates, they're relying on you, and only with consistent communication and rigorous teamwork will we achieve our goals together.
Speed with Focus | We move quickly, exploring new opportunities and incorporating new results to make progress rapidly. Remaining focused throughout our experimentations means making thoughtful decisions, listening to a range of perspectives, and moving forward as a unified team once we've committed to the path ahead.
Love the Product | The science is cool but the product is even cooler. Our breakthroughs are always in the pursuit of better products. It's by selling delicious dairy that we will bring about a successful future for New Culture and a positive impact for our customers and the planet.
New Culture is committed to promoting and creating a diverse, inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Diversity is the foundation of what we do at New Culture, enabling us to build a company that celebrates what makes each of us unique.
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