4394 Food Scientist

OVERVIEW:

The Food Scientist provides senior food technology support to the Combat Feeding Division (CFD) at DEVCOM Soldier Center, working with the Armed Forces Recipe Service (AFRS). The Scientist develops, updates, and tests standardized recipes addressing categories specified by the Services, conducts nutrient analysis using ESHA Genesis SQL, photographs recipes, and contributes to Guideline Cards and culinary training content posted on the military nutrition environment website. The role applies nutritionally sound recipe and menu development practices to sustain and improve the AFRS recipe database used across all U.S. military Services.

GENERAL DUTIES:

• Assist the Government client and Task Lead with execution of AFRS recipe development, nutrient analysis, and culinary documentation tasks. Specific responsibilities include:
• Research source recipes, document formulation rationale, and develop standardized recipes for AFRS across service-defined recipe categories.
• Prepare test sheets, conduct lab trials, and document outcomes.
• Write and finalize recipes and supporting documentation.
• Review peer-developed recipes for editorial quality and lab validation accuracy.
• Conduct nutrient analysis using ESHA Genesis SQL or equivalent nutritional software.
• Apply nutrition science and food service principles to sustain data quality across the AFRS database.
• Photograph all recipes following established AFRS standards.
• Maintain and improve best practices for recipe photography.
• Ensure all recipe photos are properly labeled, stored, and posted.
• Develop and edit Guideline Cards supporting AFRS and Go for Green content.
• Contribute to culinary training materials and toolkits on the military nutrition environment website.
• Maintain all test data, recipes, guideline cards, training materials, and project artifacts in MS Teams and SharePoint.
• Support ongoing recipe updates and new recipe development initiatives.
• Respond to customer requests and workload surges with minimal oversight.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 2 to 4 years of professional experience in food technology, recipe development, or food science.
• Recipe and menu development with emphasis on nutritionally sound foods.
• Nutrient analysis using ESHA Genesis SQL or equivalent software.
• Food photography for publication or institutional documentation.
• Writing standardized recipes and culinary documentation for non-expert end users.
• ServSafe Food Safety and Sanitation certification (preferred; can be obtained within 90 days of hire).
• Occasional CONUS travel, up to 25%

CLEARANCE:

• U.S. Citizenship required