Scientist- KFT

Overview:

Location: Chennai

To develop, optimize, and validate innovative organic acid-based preservation systems tailored for bakery products that effectively inhibit targeted spoilage microorganisms. This role combines expertise in food microbiology, formulation science, and bakery technology to create data-driven, species-specific antimicrobial solutions that extend shelf life while maintaining product quality and meeting labelling demands. This scientist will drive research projects from lab experimentation through pilot-scale validation, collaborating cross-functionally to ensure regulatory compliance and successful commercial implementation.

Responsibilities:

• Design and conduct lab-scale experiments to evaluate the effectiveness of organic acid blends for food preservation, specifically tailored to bakery matrix
• Develop and optimize formulations targeting specific microbial threats while preserving product quality.
• Execute microbial challenge studies to validate preservative efficacy, mapping growth kinetics and inhibition curves.
• Use molecular or culture-based techniques to identify microbial communities responsible for spoilage.
• Maintain accurate experimental records, prepare scientific reports, and contribute to IP generation or technical publications.
• Work cross-functionally with product development, quality, and regulatory teams to ensure compliance with food safety standards and clean-label claims.
• Overseeing the optimization of existing products to enhance performance, reduce costs, or address customer needs.
• Investigate acid systems under varying food matrices, pH, and storage conditions.

Qualifications:

MSc or PhD in Food Microbiology, Food Science, Food Chemistry, or a closely related discipline with 3- 5 years of experience.