Food Scientist

The Medical Kitchen | Remote / On-site as needed (Thousand Oaks, Ca) The Medical Kitchen is seeking an experienced Food Scientist on a consulting basis to support improvements in the shelf life, safety, and quality of our medically tailored meals. This role will work closely with our culinary, operations, and quality teams to assess current processes and recommend evidence-based solutions that maintain nutrition, safety, and taste. This is an ideal opportunity for a food scientist who enjoys applied, real-world problem solving and working with mission-driven food programs. Scope of Work (Consulting Focus) Evaluate current meal formulations, ingredients, packaging, and storage methods Assess factors impacting shelf life, food safety, and quality (e.g., moisture, pH, oxidation, microbial risk) Provide recommendations for improving shelf life while maintaining nutrition, taste, and texture Advise on packaging solutions (MAP, vacuum sealing, tray types, films, etc.) Support SOP development related to shelf life, cooling, storage, and reheating Collaborate with culinary and operations teams to test and validate improvements Provide documentation and practical guidance aligned with food safety best practices Ideal Qualifications Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, or related field Experience with prepared foods, fresh meals, or ready-to-eat products Strong understanding of shelf life testing, HACCP, and food safety principles Experience working with packaging and preservation strategies Ability to translate technical concepts into practical, actionable recommendations Consulting or project-based experience preferred Engagement Details Type: Consultant / Independent Contractor Time Commitment: Flexible, project-based Location: Remote with potential on-site collaboration as needed (Thousand Oaks) Compensation: Competitive, based on experience and scope Work Location: Hybrid remote in Newbury Park, CA 91320