Protein Application Scientist

Your role

Are you excited about unlocking the potential of next-generation proteins for the dairy industry?

Global demand for high-quality protein continues to grow, while traditional dairy faces increasing pressure. Precision fermentation offers new ways to produce functional proteins with high consistency and scalability.

Finding the right product-market fit is just as critical as scaling production. This requires understanding how an ingredient performs in a food matrix and where it adds the most value. That’s where Interfood plays a key role.

By combining ingredient expertise, application knowledge, and market insight, we translate innovative protein ingredients into scalable dairy solutions.

As a Protein Application Scientist, you focus on protein ingredients as functional components within finished food systems by:

Characterizing protein ingredients and their functional properties
Developing finished product prototypes where proteins interact with other ingredients
Optimizing protein functionality through blending or processing
Identifying finished product concepts where precision-fermented or specialty proteins create clear added value
Collaborating with R&D and commercial teams to align technical performance with market needs
Applying data-driven insights to guide development and decision-making

You ensure that protein ingredients perform optimally within real formulations — not in isolation, but in interaction with fats, carbohydrates, stabilizers, and processing conditions.

Your profile

Master’s in Food Science, Food Technology, or related field

Experience in food product development, preferably in dairy (1 to 5 years, or a PhD)

Strong interest in proteins in complex food systems

Enjoy crafting food recipes using state-of-the-art equipment understanding consumer needs

Based in Europe and willing to relocate to live within driving distance of Bladel

Analytical, data-driven, and solution-oriented

Strong communication skills and team player

Fluent in English, Dutch is a plus

A day in the life of a protein application scientist

You feel at home in a family-owned, flat, interactive and entrepreneurial company.

08:30

You grab a coffee and briefly catch up with your R&D colleagues about yesterday’s prototype trials. The texture of the protein bar you made was much firmer than expected, worth investigating further.

09:00

In our application lab, the Dairy Food Studio, you start a new test series comparing blends of precision-fermented casein and whey protein. You measure solubility and heat stability behavior, carefully documenting the data.

10.30

You analyze the results and identify a promising direction. The protein dissolves well and you found the optimal blend in this first trials. You design a follow-up experiment to better understand other relevant functional properties.

12.00

Lunch with colleagues — followed by a short walk outside. You chat about the weekend plans and enjoy the sunshine.

13.00

A commercial colleague joins you in the lab to review a prototype developed for a customer. You explain how the ingredient behaves in the system and where optimization is still needed before scaling up.

14.00

You review recent scientific publications and industry updates on precision fermentation, identifying trends that could impact future product development.

16.00

Before heading home, you update your project documentation and reflect on next steps, another small step toward making novel ingredients ready for real-world food applications.

Your colleagues

Wouter Berendsen
Global Portfolio Director Fat & Cheese

Why Interfood?
Interfood's entrepreneurial spirit, flat organization, and drive for change create a great atmosphere to work in. The enthusiasm generated by the teams' drive to make change and business happen is truly inspiring. Back in 2018, the R&D team did not exist. Today, the R&D team consists of 10 members worldwide, proving that Interfood is ready to invest in valuable ideas and innovations which drive progress and success.

What do you expect from your new colleague?
In order to feel at home in Interfood, you need to be able to be a star in communication both with R&D, production and commercial stakeholders both internally and externally. You should have strong interest in how food ingredients work in food applications, and be open for change and a self-starter. A couple years of experience in the B2B food ingredients or food development industry is key in this role.

Loes Hoppenreijs
R&D Manager

Why Interfood?
Interfood operates at the heart of the global dairy market, a unique position for R&D. Rather than focusing on a single product, we work across a broad portfolio of dairy ingredients and applications. This exposure provides deep insight into ingredient functionality, market dynamics, and real-world application performance.

What do you expect from your new colleague?
You are genuinely excited about research and discovery. New findings energize you, and you are eager to share insights with colleagues and partners. You enjoy working in a collaborative environment where ideas are openly discussed and challenged.

You are flexible and supportive, comfortable navigating both scientific depth and practical application. You are not afraid to challenge assumptions and you welcome being challenged in return.

If you thrive in an environment where curiosity, ownership, and collaboration drive progress, you will feel at home in our team.

Our offer

Competitive compensation and benefits.
A dynamic and innovative work environment.
Opportunities for professional growth and development.
40 hour work week, 25 holidays.
Free delicious and healthy lunch and breakfast.
Participate in fun team activities.
Free gym inside our office.
Travel within Europe.

About Interfood

Step into our Bladel office and experience the energy of our team.

A workplace where collaboration, passion, and innovation come together—because great things happen when people enjoy what they do.

We are a leading player in commodity trading in dairy products. We operate globally with 14 offices worldwide and with a team of over 380 colleagues, we connect suppliers and customers. With more than 50 years of experience, we empower our partners by providing in-depth market knowledge, strategic insights, and risk management solutions that create real impact across the dairy supply chain.

We empower our people with autonomy, we encourage them to take responsibility and make decisions. We don’t just offer a job; we offer a career with multiple paths for personal and professional development. In our informal culture, we provide our employees with the opportunity to make a meaningful impact. We believe in the power of teamwork, and our "Together for Better" philosophy drives our collaborative approach, creating a world-class team. And we foster a culture of well-being by promoting healthy, active lifestyles and supporting mental health.

When you join us, you enter a world where expertise, strategy, and action come together. We offer the opportunity to grow and succeed in an ever-evolving global market, while actively engaging in sustainable practices that drive innovation and shape the future of our industry.

Are you looking for an international company where you can develop both professionally and personally? Do you thrive in a dynamic environment but also value collaboration in a close-knit, informal team? Then Interfood is the ideal employer for you.

Explore our current vacancies and learn more about our organization.

Will you become our new team member?

Apply now