Senior Scientist – Fermentation, Food Microbiology & Beverage Technology

We are looking for a Scientist – Fermentation, Food Microbiology & Beverage Technology to support the development of innovative fermented food and beverage products.

The candidate will work on fermentation trials, food microbiology, beverage formulation, laboratory testing, process optimization and pilot-scale product development. The role will involve working closely with R&D, laboratory, production and quality teams to convert laboratory concepts into reproducible beverage formulations and processes.

• R&D Contractor & Research Vendor CoordinationCoordinate day-to-day technical activities with external R&D contractors, research laboratories, universities, testing laboratories and specialist research vendors engaged for the project.
• Prepare and communicate technical requirements, research objectives, experimental protocols and expected deliverables to external R&D partners.
• Coordinate the execution of fermentation, microbiology, formulation, analytical testing and product-development activities assigned to external research partners.
• Review technical reports, laboratory results, test data and research findings received from external vendors.
• Follow up on project milestones, sample submissions, testing schedules and technical deliverables.
• Maintain a consolidated tracker of R&D activities, timelines, responsibilities, results, pending actions and next steps.
• Coordinate sample preparation, dispatch, testing and receipt of laboratory reports.
• Identify gaps, inconsistencies or deviations in research results and escalate them to the Project/R&D Lead.
• Arrange technical meetings between internal team members and external researchers when required.
• Ensure that agreed SOPs, specifications, testing methods and documentation requirements are followed by external research partners.
• Support comparison and evaluation of alternative research approaches, formulations, fermentation methods and laboratory results.
• Maintain proper records of research data, reports, experimental results, formulations and technical communications received from external parties.
• Coordinate confidentiality, NDA/IP documentation and ownership of project-generated research data in consultation with management.
• Support management in monitoring R&D project cost, vendor scope and deliverables.
• Ensure that external research activities remain aligned with the overall HMPA product-development roadmap.
• Escalate delays, technical risks, unsuccessful trials or deviations from agreed research objectives to the Project Lead.

Key InterfaceThe position will act as the technical coordination point between:

Management / Project Lead → External R&D Contractor → Research Institute / Laboratory → Testing & Certification Laboratory → Pilot Production Team