Food Scientist / Head of Product

About Cultimate FoodsWe are a German startup on a mission to transform the food industry. At Cultimate Foods, we developCultisense, a cell-cultivated flavouring ingredient that delivers an authentic meaty taste to food.Cultisense is the first ingredient of its kind, designed to bridge the sensory gap between plant-based and animal-based products, enabling food companies to create products consumers truly crave.How to applyPlease, email Jordi@cultimatefoods.com with the name of the position as “Subject”, e.g. “Head of Product, Berlin”, including your CV. A motivation letter is a bonus.Applications using “easy apply” will not be considered.About the roleWe are looking for a hands-on and resourceful Food Scientist or Product Developer to lead the development and application testing of Cultisense in Berlin.Your mission is to refine and validate Cultisense as a functional ingredient, characterising its properties, improving its sensory impact, and showcasing its potential through plant-based prototype applications.You will be at the interface between R&D, product development, and customer engagement, helping food manufacturers and partners integrate Cultisense into their formulations.ResponsibilitiesDevelop and optimise Cultisense formulations to enhance flavour delivery, stability, and compatibility in different food matrices.Design and execute experiments to analyse the functional and sensory characteristics of Cultisense (e.g., texture, aroma release, colour, or nutritional profile).Create plant-based hybrid prototypes (e.g., burgers, sausages, ready meals) to demonstrate the ingredient’s performance and convince partners and investors.Collaborate with customers to understand their application needs, advise on optimal use levels, and support their trials.Coordinate sample preparation and shipment, track partner feedback, and iterate formulations accordingly.Work with internal and external labs or pilot plants to expand testing capabilities and analytical depth.Represent Cultimate Foods at industry conferences and trade shows, helping communicate the scientific and commercial value of Cultisense.Document all findings and support intellectual property and regulatory processes.QualificationsMust-haveMSc or PhD in Food Science, Food Technology, Biochemistry, or related field.2–4 years of hands-on experience in ingredient or product development, ideally in flavour, fat, or protein systems.Strong understanding of food chemistry and formulation principles.Experience conducting and interpreting analytical and sensory experiments.Excellent communication skills to interact with customers and cross-functional teams.Self-driven, creative, and comfortable in a fast-paced startup with limited structureNice-to-haveExperience in flavour ingredient development or sensory science.Familiarity with plant-based meat or hybrid formulations.Understanding of flavour encapsulation, emulsions, or lipid systems.Experience collaborating with external partners or pilot facilities.Why join usWork on a breakthrough flavouring ingredient redefining taste in plant-based foods.Take ownership of Cultisense development and applications.Join a small, passionate, and mission-driven team where your ideas truly shape the product.Competitive salary and growth opportunities.Based in Berlin, with occasional travel to conferences and customer sites.