Job Description

Title: R&D Lab Technician– Product Development (Part Time)

Location: Downers Grove, IL 60515

Duration: Approx 6months

Shift/Hours: Tuesday – Thursday 8:30am-5pm (target is 24 hours a week with the potential to work more depending on need and availability)

The Opportunity

• Join client’s R&D team and help bring innovative nutrition products to life. As an R&D Technician, you will support the development and testing of a wide range of products including nutrition bars, powdered beverages, capsules, and tablets. Working under the direction of Food Scientists, you’ll help prepare formulations, conduct analytical and sensory tests, and assist in product scale-up — all while ensuring accuracy, quality, and safety throughout the process.
• This is an exciting hands-on role ideal for someone with a passion for food science and a strong attention to detail.
• This is a lab position where all food allergens (milk, soy, nuts, peanuts, wheat, egg, etc…) are present. This person will be involved in tasting a variety product types and subsequently exposed to them.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in the preparation of lab-scale prototypes for new products and product reformulations.
• Conduct basic analytical testing (e.g., pH, moisture, texture) on raw materials, prototypes, and trial batches.
• Support sensory evaluations by setting up panels and collecting data in collaboration with the R&D team.
• Document experimental results in lab notebooks and internal systems with a high level of accuracy.
• Help with ingredient weighing, batching, and blending for both internal lab and external testing environments.
• Handle raw materials, including weighing, labeling, and organizing ingredients according to formulation guidelines.
• Maintain and clean lab equipment and workspaces; ensure lab inventory is stocked and organized.
• Participate in team meetings, innovation sessions, and technical reviews.

Qualifications & Skills

• Associate's degree in Food Science, Culinary Arts, Chemistry, or related field; Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• 1–3 years of experience in a food, beverage, or dietary supplement laboratory or production environment.
• Familiarity with basic lab techniques and equipment used in food product development.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and accuracy in record-keeping.
• Understand and enforce Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and lab safety protocols.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, hands-on environment and managing multiple tasks.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Team-oriented with strong communication skills and a positive, solutions-driven mindset.

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