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,
You will be joining The Bland Company, a food biotech startup focused on making sustainable eating easy, affordable, and accessible for everyone. As a Food Application Scientist, you will be responsible for developing and optimizing food formulations using novel protein ingredients across various applications such as bakery, snacks, and condiments. Your role will involve rapid prototyping, testing, and iterating on recipes to improve product performance. Key Responsibilities: - Develop and optimize food formulations using innovative protein ingredients for different applications - Work on formulations for client-specific use cases to validate functionality in real-world scenarios - Prototype and iterate on recipes based on functional goals like texture, solubility, and emulsification - Translate ingredient characterization data into practical formulation insights - Conduct bench-scale trials, sensory testing, and design experiments for comparison - Identify high-potential food categories based on formulation performance and market fit - Maintain detailed records of formulations, results, and observations - Collaborate with scientists and founders to provide feedback on ingredient development and usability Requirements: - Degree in Food Science, Culinary Science, or related field - 2+ years of experience in food product development, particularly with proteins, hydrocolloids, or emulsifiers - Strong understanding of food systems and ingredient functionality - Skilled in rapid prototyping and creative problem-solving - Comfortable with scientific and culinary aspects of R&D - Bonus: Experience with alternative proteins, clean label formulation, or upcycled ingredients - Bonus: Exposure to B2B ingredient applications or working with food manufacturing clients - Bonus: Formulation experience in the bakery sector What We Offer: - Opportunity to be at the forefront of building sustainable ingredients - Join a mission-driven team that values speed, transparency, and creativity - Opportunities for fast growth, ownership, and global impact,