Research & Development Scientist I

Summary

Location: North Brunswick, New Jersey / NoHo, NYC. (This position requires relocation to our NoHo (New York City) location approximately one year from now.)

Our Chobani Research and Development Labs department is at the forefront of product development and innovation. It's inspiring to be part of something bigger than yourself. We have an insatiable appetite for making a difference. Our Research and Development Lab Scientist I will play an integral role in developing our next wave of product innovations, while also providing technical support for our growing base business. We are seeking a candidate with a strong foundation in food microbiology and demonstrated expertise in innovation to help Chobani advance its mission of making healthy and delicious fermented foods. This role will involve supporting existing business as well as working on innovative projects that shape future food products.

Responsibilities

• Execute research & development plans and strategies for product development in alignment with company objectives.
• Design and conduct experiments based on project goals, ensuring excellent record-keeping, rigorous data collection and analysis, and preparation of project summaries.
• Plan and carry out development work at lab and pilot scale: design, develop, and lead tests to qualify new products and to support changes in existing products.
• Perform analytical measurements using microbial, chemical, and physical methods on food and experimental products. Acquire and analyze data using advanced tools and present results.
• Stay current with scientific and technological advances in the field by reviewing the literature and actively networking with colleagues and industry experts.
• Manage technical development projects focusing on product development, process, and product care to enable Chobani to improve and launch more innovative food and beverage products.
• Lead and document development projects from conceptualization through commercialization-including establishing budgets and meeting targets within specified time constraints.
• Communicate project requirements, recommendations, and status updates to internal stakeholders and external partners.
• Work directly with plant processing and production teams to ensure that trial runs and startup operations are properly executed.
• Adhere to Chobani's safety protocols and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
• Collaborate effectively across teams: share information, support colleagues, and foster positive teamwork to ensure smooth project execution and problem solving.

Requirements

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Food Microbiology, Food Science, Dairy Science/Technology, Biotechnology, or a related field, with strong microbiology skills.
• Master's degree or higher preferred, especially for roles involving method development and product innovation.

Technical Skills & Experience

• Experience with microbiology of fermented dairy products (e.g., yogurt, kefir, cheese, cultured milk), including starter cultures, fermentation kinetics, and work with lactic acid bacteria.
• Knowledge of dairy chemistry is preferred.
• Experience in microbial characterization and strain development is an advantage.
• Experience handling various microbes and operating fermentation units is an asset.
• Familiarity with probiotics and their applications in food is a plus.
• Skills in microbial quality assessment.
• Background in process and product development and commercialization of food processes.
• Training or coursework in sensory science / sensory evaluation is a plus.
• Proven track record of leading product development projects: timeline development/management, testing/trials, operational launch, and scale up.
• Familiarity advanced research tools and statistical analysis.

Soft Skills & Other Competencies

• Excellent teamwork skills: ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues across functions, share knowledge, support others, and work toward common goals.
• Strong communication skills (written and verbal) to effectively present findings and interact with internal and external stakeholders.
• Familiarity with basic research tools and statistical analysis.
• Comfort with ambiguity, initiative, and being energized by building something from the ground up.
• Deep curiosity for understanding complex food systems (physical, chemical, microbiological).
• Ability to handle multiple projects or tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to travel (10-20%).
• Must be willing to relocate or commute to New York City in the future.
• Maintain clean, safe, and compliant manufacturing and laboratory environments.
• Strong commitment to safety procedures and GMP.

About Us

Chobani is a food maker with a mission of making high-quality and nutritious food accessible to more people, while elevating our communities and making the world a healthier place. In short: making good food for all. In support of this mission, Chobani is a purpose-driven, people-first, food-and-wellness-focused company, and has been since its founding in 2005 by Hamdi Ulukaya, an immigrant to the U.S. The Company manufactures yogurt, oat milk, and creamers - Chobani yogurt is America's No.1 yogurt brand, made with natural ingredients without artificial preservatives. Following the 2023 acquisition of La Colombe, a leading coffee roaster with a shared commitment to quality, craftmanship and impact, the Company began selling cold-pressed espresso and lattes on tap at cafés nationwide, as well as Ready to Drink (RTD) coffee beverages at retail. In 2025, Chobani acquired Daily Harvest, a modern brand offering consumers nutritious, delicious and convenient ready-to-make meals.

Chobani uses food as a force for good in the world - putting humanity first in everything it does. The company's philanthropic efforts prioritize giving back to its communities and beyond. Chobani manufactures its products in New York, Idaho, Michigan and Australia, and its products are available throughout North America and distributed in Australia and other select markets.

For more information, please visit or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Chobani is an equal opportunity employer. Chobani will not discriminate against any applicant for employment on any basis including, but not limited to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, military and/or veteran status, marital status, predisposing genetic characteristics and genetic information, or any other classification protected by federal, state, and local laws.

Chobani provides a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision coverage, disability insurance, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, and tuition reimbursement. To help save for the future, all employees are eligible for a 401k match of 100% on up to 5% of eligible pay. To support growing families, we provide fertility and childcare assistance, and 12 weeks of parental leave at full pay after six months of continuous employment. In addition, we provide wellness resources which include an employee assistance program, fitness discounts, a wellness reimbursement, on-site gym access (certain locations) and a monthly wellness newsletter to connect you with resources and timely information. We offer various types of paid time of including: 120 hours of paid time off, 11 holidays, paid volunteer time off and military service leave.

Compensation Range: $68,000.00 - $103,000.00, plus bonus.