Head of Research And Development

The Bland Company is a food and biotech startup dedicated to producing cost-efficient, highly functional ingredients through innovative biochemical processes. Our clean-label proteins are designed to assist food brands in reducing their reliance on egg-derived ingredients without sacrificing functionality. Currently engaged in trials with major CPGs and supported by top-tier investors and industry advisors, our founding team comprises biochemists and biochemical engineers committed to revolutionizing the food industry. As the Head of R&D, you will play a pivotal role in spearheading scientific innovation and overseeing manufacturing scalability. Your responsibilities will include leading a team of scientists and application experts focusing on protein chemistry, scale-up, and formulation science. This unique opportunity allows you to shape the technical direction of a company at the forefront of sustainable food production. Key Responsibilities: - Lead R&D efforts in protein chemistry, process optimization, and application science - Align technical objectives with business goals and ensure timely delivery - Develop and execute the R&D roadmap, from refining the platform to validating client applications - Identify and assess new scientific methods and technologies to expedite progress - Recruit, manage, and mentor a diverse team of specialists - Supervise experimental design, data analysis, and documentation - Collaborate with the founding team on IP strategy, regulatory planning, and scientific communication - Assist in scaling up R&D processes for manufacturing - Coordinate with external partners such as labs, CROs, academic collaborators, and suppliers - Contribute to strategic decisions on prioritizing food categories based on ingredient performance and customer feedback - Manage the establishment and operation of a state-of-the-art laboratory Requirements: - PhD in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Food Science, Biotechnology, or a related field - Over 10 years of industry experience in food ingredient or protein R&D, with a proven track record of leading projects and teams - Profound knowledge of plant protein structure, functionality, and structure-function relationships - Expertise in various protein modification methods, including physical, chemical, and biological approaches - Hands-on experience in protein purification and characterization techniques - Familiarity with food product development cycles and application testing - Strong project management, communication, and mentoring skills - Exposure to ingredient scale-up and technology transfer from lab to commercial scale - Bonus points for experience with upcycled ingredients and regulatory strategies What You'll Get: - A leadership role within a high-impact food biotech startup - Opportunity to lead a world-class scientific team and establish cutting-edge infrastructure - Access to a global network of advisors and collaborators - Fast-paced learning environment with high ownership and the chance to see your work in market-ready products - Competitive compensation package with equity participation - Collaborative and dynamic team committed to long-term success,