Formulation Specialist

Come Be Part Of A Mission that Matters!

From inside the farm gate to our dinner plates, Neogen protects the world’s food supply. Through a variety of animal healthcare products, to food safety solutions for dangerous bacteria, allergens, toxins, drug residues and much more, Neogen is there — and you can be too.

Neogen is seeking a Formulation Scientist to support the development and optimization of thin film components and new product development supporting the Petrifilm portfolio. This individual will design and execute formulation studies, evaluate ingredient functionality, and generate data to support new product development and product lifecycle improvements. The role requires a strong foundation in microbiology combined with an understanding of formulation principles, including hydrocolloids, polymers, functional ingredients, ingredient interactions, stability, and manufacturing considerations. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with R&D, Manufacturing, Product Engineering, Quality, and Regulatory teams to bring innovative products from concept through commercialization.

Formulation Specialist

Location: Oakdale
Schedule: Full-Time

Job Summary

Neogen is seeking a Formulation Specialist to support the development and optimization of thin-film components and new products within the Petrifilm portfolio.

This role will design and execute formulation studies, evaluate ingredient functionality, and generate scientific data to support new product development and product lifecycle improvements. The position requires a strong foundation in microbiology and formulation principles, including ingredient interactions, stability, and manufacturing considerations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Design and evaluate formulations for products used in microbial detection and enumeration.
• Evaluate formulation ingredients, including nutrients, selective agents, and other functional components.
• Investigate ingredient interactions to optimize product functionality, stability, manufacturability, shelf life, and end-user performance.
• Support new product development and process improvement initiatives.
• Support raw material qualification, including evaluation of suppliers, alternative ingredients, and material specifications.
• Support formulation scale-up and manufacturing transfer activities.
• Design and execute laboratory experiments and analyze results using scientific and statistical methods.
• Prepare technical reports and communicate findings and recommendations to project teams.
• Provide technical guidance to laboratory technicians and junior scientists.
• Support patent filing and technology scouting activities.
• Maintain laboratory safety, quality, and biosafety requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

• PhD in Food Science, Chemistry, Microbiology, or a related scientific field with 3+ years of relevant experience; or
• Master's degree in a related scientific field with 6+ years of relevant experience; or
• Bachelor's degree in a related scientific field with 8+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience in formulation development, microbiological media development, diagnostic products, food ingredients, biotechnology products, or a related field.
• Experience designing and executing laboratory experiments and interpreting scientific data.
• Knowledge of microbiological media components, ingredient functionality, and formulation principles.
• Experience with BSL-1 and BSL-2 organism propagation.
• Experience with statistical analysis and experimental design.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience preparing experimental formulations for rheology analysis or coating applications.
• Knowledge of functional ingredients used in food or culture media formulations.
• Experience with formulation scale-up, manufacturing transfer, patent development, or technology scouting.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Neogen is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.