Food scientist, culinary scientist, or research chef

Job Description

Position: Food Scientist, Culinary Scientist, or Research Chef

Company: Folia Materials

Folia Materials is looking for a food scientist, culinary scientist, or research chef to assist in identifying frozen foods that most benefit from our paper microwave packaging. This includes rapidly screening which foods do/don’t benefit, methodically creating packaging + microwave food demos, and formalizing the sensory benefit via surveys with internal and external stakeholders. Initial work will have the aim of creating sales demos to send off to frozen food CPGs, leading into joint development work with those frozen food CPG(s) manufacturers.

We are looking for someone who can rapidly test and create, selecting from any and all frozen foods. The ideal candidate should be able to understand the scientific mechanism at work in food formulations while delivering information plainly to wide groups of people. The ideal candidate is creative and dynamic, but also methodical.

Position Type: Initially a contractor or part-time. However, we are open to full-time work for the right candidate or growing the position from part-time to full-time.

Location: Folia's lab/office in Bedford, MA.

Background: Folia Materials has created the world's first-ever 100% paper microwave food susceptor with our patented plant-based coating. Folia's proprietary food packaging improves product performance and consumer experience.

• 100% paper microwave food susceptor uses Folia's patented plant-based metallization coating
  • Metal converts microwaves to thermal energy, paper soaks up water and grease unlike plastic
  • Result: better tasting, crispier food from the microwave
• One-to-one substitute for traditional plastic susceptors — no more soggy and gross food
• Patented, recyclable, 25% less expensive

Culinary Science for Sales Support:

• Comparison testing of Folia’s microwave paper packaging against controls
• Demonstrate improved food quality from microwave food using Folia’s paper microwave food packaging
• Sensory and physical measurements to quantify taste, texture, and other changes from Folia’s packaging vs control
• Recommendations for packaging form factor improvements for increased effectiveness
• Bonus: R&D experience with materials or formula optimization co-work with manufacturer

Activities:

• Rapid screening of microwave frozen foods at Folia's lab in Bedford, MA
• Develop product demos for sales including packaging form factor, cook instructions, sensory descriptions
• Identify best frozen food targets from a food company's portfolio and then develop product demos
• Develop sensory profiles for each product demo for sending to potential clients

Future Activities:

• Sales materials: create content for potential clients to understand culinary science and performance improvements from our packaging
• Technical sales: technical sales calls with culinary professionals at potential food clients
• Travel: client site visits to meet with food and culinary science professionals and their management

Qualifications:

• Background: Food science, research chef, culinary science, culinology, or culinary arts with a methodical approach
• Any combination of formal culinary training or real-world experience
• Ideally: experience in processed or frozen food, formulation or product development, descriptive sensory analysis
• Stretch: food sensory panel development
• Activities: Food product development, culinary, sensory
• Style: dynamic, rapid, quick, inventive, yet methodical and organized
• Location: metro Boston