5 Sensory Evaluation jobs in the United Kingdom

• Lead the conceptualization, development, and commercialization of new food products from ideation to launch.
• Conduct extensive benchtop product development, including formulation, ingredient selection, and processing optimisation.
• Plan and execute pilot plant trials and scale-up activities, collaborating closely with manufacturing teams.
• Perform sensory analysis and product testing, gathering and interpreting consumer feedback.
• Ensure all product development activities comply with food safety regulations, quality standards, and company policies.
• Research and evaluate new ingredients, technologies, and processing methods to enhance product attributes and production efficiency.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, specifications, and documentation for new product launches.
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including marketing, sales, operations, and regulatory affairs.
• Stay abreast of emerging trends in food science, consumer preferences, and competitor activities.
• Manage multiple development projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery.
• Provide technical expertise and support to the marketing team for product positioning and claims.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of R&D processes and methodologies.
• Mentor junior scientists and contribute to the overall growth of the R&D department.
• Ensure accurate and comprehensive costings for new product formulations.

• MSc or PhD in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of hands-on experience in product development within the FMCG food industry.
• Proven track record of successfully bringing new food products to market.
• Strong knowledge of food chemistry, ingredient functionality, food processing techniques, and preservation methods.
• Experience with product formulation, benchtop development, and pilot plant scale-up.
• Familiarity with food safety standards (e.g., HACCP, BRC) and regulatory requirements.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and experimental design skills.
• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams.
• Proficiency in using laboratory equipment and analytical techniques relevant to food science.
• Ability to manage projects independently and meet tight deadlines.
• A creative mindset with a passion for innovation in the food industry.
• Experience with specific product categories relevant to the company's portfolio is a plus.
• Adaptability to a dynamic R&D environment.

• Lead the development of new food products from ideation through to launch.
• Design and execute laboratory and pilot plant trials for product formulation and process optimization.
• Evaluate and select ingredients to achieve desired taste, texture, appearance, and nutritional profiles.
• Conduct shelf-life studies and stability testing.
• Ensure all developed products meet stringent quality, safety, and regulatory standards.
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including Marketing, R&D, Operations, and Quality Assurance.
• Troubleshoot technical challenges encountered during product development and scale-up.
• Prepare comprehensive product development reports and documentation.
• Stay abreast of industry trends, new ingredients, and emerging food technologies.
• Provide technical support to manufacturing and co-packing facilities.

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in food product development, preferably within the FMCG industry.
• Demonstrated success in bringing new food products to market.
• Strong understanding of food chemistry, ingredient functionality, and food processing techniques.
• Experience with sensory evaluation and consumer testing.
• Knowledge of food safety regulations (e.g., HACCP, BRC) and nutritional labelling requirements.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills for cross-functional collaboration.
• Ability to work independently and manage remote projects effectively.

• Lead the development of new food products from concept to launch.
• Formulate and optimize product recipes, ensuring desired taste, texture, and nutritional profiles.
• Conduct benchtop development, pilot plant trials, and scale-up activities.
• Plan and execute sensory evaluations and consumer testing.
• Perform shelf-life studies and stability testing.
• Source and evaluate new ingredients and raw materials.
• Collaborate closely with marketing, operations, and quality assurance teams.
• Ensure all product development activities comply with food safety, regulatory, and labeling requirements.
• Stay abreast of industry trends, competitor activities, and emerging technologies in food science.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues during the product development process.

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, or a related scientific discipline.
• Significant experience in product development within the FMCG food industry.
• Proven ability to innovate and develop successful new food products.
• Strong understanding of food chemistry, microbiology, and processing techniques.
• Experience with various food categories and product types.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills for cross-functional collaboration.
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements (e.g., HACCP, BRC).
• Ability to work hands-on in a laboratory and pilot plant setting.

THIS VACANCY IS OPEN TO INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY

This Research Associate post represents a unique opportunity to join leaders from the  Autism Innovative Medicine Studies – 2 – Trials (AIMS-2-TRIALS) r esearch consortium, the world’s largest autism research consortium, based in the Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN).

The successful candidate will work on multimodal projects to identify sensory and cognitive biomarkers derived from behavioural experiments in autism. The role will work on analysing psychophysics and cognitive data from sub-projects of the AIMS-2-TRIALS consortium including drug studies, and the longitudinal autism research project (LEAP) cohort to develop normative trajectories and clustering approaches to subgroup autistic individuals.  This will include supporting dissemination with stakeholders (including EMA, academic partners, media organisations, charities, and the broader autism community).

This is a full-time post offered on a fixed term contract until 30th November 2026.

Research staff at King’s are entitled to at least 10 days per year (pro-rata) for professional development. This entitlement, from the  Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers , applies to Postdocs, Research Assistants, Research and Teaching Technicians, Teaching Fellows and AEP equivalent up to and including grade 7. Visit the Centre for Research Staff Development for more information.

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria 

1. PhD qualified in relevant subject area e.g. Psychology or Clinical Neurodevelopmental Sciences.
2. Experience in using programming software R.
3. Knowledge of stimulus and task design, in particular in touch.
4. Strong written and verbal communication and dissemination skills.
5. Demonstrable research expertise in a relevant field of autism.

Desirable criteria

1.    Experience in working with other programming languages (e.g. PsychoPy).

2.    Expertise working with the Cortical Metrics Brain Gauge device.

3.    Expertise working with EEG.

4.    Expertise working with autistic people.

*  Please note that this is a PhD level role but candidates who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting award of their PhDs will be considered. In these circumstances the appointment will be made at Grade 5, spine point 30 with the title of Research Assistant. Upon confirmation of the award of the PhD, the job title will become Research Associate and the salary will increase to Grade 6.

Downloading a copy of our Job Description

Full details of the role and the skills, knowledge and experience required can be found in the Job Description document, provided at the bottom of the page. This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.