Food Scientist at Darkpore Media Africa

Title: Food Scientist [Project R&D Guide]

Reports to: Project Team Lead- FoodNerve Project
Type: Full-Time, up to 60 hours per week
Location: SouthWest Nigeria

Who We Want:
Darkpore Media Africa seeks a dynamic and responsible Food Scientist to primarily support due diligence planning and research for a wide range of unique food projects. Working directly with the FoodNerve Project team, the Food Scientist [Project R&D Guide] in his/her primary role, supports a wide range of unique food research projects by handling the research, publication reviews, materials sourcing and bioprocess considerations  required for project design and delivery. He/she must prioritize food project planning, supervise technical design, anticipate project needs, and  skillfully manage project research meetings/ online calls.

He/She will serve as the primary point of contact for internal research sites and external relationships; and as a liaison to the FoodNerve teams. The ideal individual must be proactive, possessing a strong sense of urgency, with attention to detail. He/She must exercise good judgment in a variety of situations, with strong scientific writing and verbal communication, research and project planning skills.

What You’ll Do:

• Primary Roles-  Due Diligence on Project Research
• Clarifying food research design and bio-process considerations.
• Formulation (protein selection, plant based fats, flavoring, binders and cell-culture  ingredients.
• Utilizing formulation software to create and update formulations.
• Protein sourcing and characterization.
•  Research Key ingredients isolation and functionalization.
• Research Processing (Dehydration, extrusion, moulding/folding, shear cell technology, in-line monitoring, software and sensors).
• Selection of technology types and optimization of moving parts
• Recording, analyzing and summarizing research data.

Secondary Roles- Project Liaison

• Evaluating the nutritional value, color, flavor and texture of food with external labs.
• Investigating and setting standards for safety and quality.
• Ensuring that food manufacturing processes conform with government, processing, consumer and industry standards.
• Study structure and composition of food, and the changes foods undergo in storage and processing.
• Testing samples for particular types of moulds, yeast and bacteria that may be harmful.
• Establishing low-cost wholesale food production methods.
• Coordinating independent laboratory testing.
• Working on new products from conceptualization to launch and exploring alternative manufacturing methods.
• Assembling information for  projects design, strategic planning and presentations.
• Participate in research meetings to track key action items, prepare and transmit memos of follow-up plans.
• Handle phone and email inquiries by responding appropriately.
•  Co-ordinate onboarding of researchers and technical staff into research design, processes,and technologies.
• Professionally communicate on the project team’s behalf with critical external partners.