Formulation Specialist

This role will design and execute formulation studies, evaluate ingredient functionality, and generate scientific data to support new product development and product lifecycle improvements. The position requires a strong foundation in microbiology and formulation principles, including ingredient interactions, stability, and manufacturing considerations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Design and evaluate formulations for products used in microbial detection and enumeration.
• Evaluate formulation ingredients, including nutrients, selective agents, and other functional components.
• Investigate ingredient interactions to optimize product functionality, stability, manufacturability, shelf life, and end-user performance.
• Support new product development and process improvement initiatives.
• Support raw material qualification, including evaluation of suppliers, alternative ingredients, and material specifications.
• Support formulation scale-up and manufacturing transfer activities.
• Design and execute laboratory experiments and analyze results using scientific and statistical methods.
• Prepare technical reports and communicate findings and recommendations to project teams.
• Provide technical guidance to laboratory technicians and junior scientists.
• Support patent filing and technology scouting activities.
• Maintain laboratory safety, quality, and biosafety requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

• PhD in Food Science, Chemistry, Microbiology, or a related scientific field with 3+ years of relevant experience; or
• Master's degree in a related scientific field with 6+ years of relevant experience; or
• Bachelor's degree in a related scientific field with 8+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience in formulation development, microbiological media development, diagnostic products, food ingredients, biotechnology products, or a related field.
• Experience designing and executing laboratory experiments and interpreting scientific data.
• Knowledge of microbiological media components, ingredient functionality, and formulation principles.
• Experience with BSL-1 and BSL-2 organism propagation.
• Experience with statistical analysis and experimental design.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience preparing experimental formulations for rheology analysis or coating applications.
• Knowledge of functional ingredients used in food or culture media formulations.
• Experience with formulation scale-up, manufacturing transfer, patent development, or technology scouting.