Food Application & Product Development Specialist

Food Application & Product Development Specialist (Full-time) About GOVA : We are a Helsinki-based food-tech startup developing a new technology platform for sugar reduction and replacement. Our technology is tested by food and ingredient companies in Finland and international markets. GOVA R&D and application teams are based at the University of Helsinki, Viikki Campus. We are looking for an experienced Food Application & Product Development Specialist to integrate our technology into finished food products through hands-on formulation and problem-solving skills, while collaborating with customers from lab development to industrial production. About the Role : Developing finished food products using Gova sugar-reduction technology. Hands-on working with different applications including bakery, chocolate, dairy, beverages and other food products. Develop and optimize food formulations. Conducting sensory analysis on taste, texture, mouthfeel, stability and overall product quality. Having knowledge of food ingredients interactions and identify and resolve formulation challenges. Evaluate the scalability of formulations from lab to industrial production. Support customer trials, pilots and industrial scale-up. Collaborate directly with R&D and product development teams of food manufacturers and ingredient companies. Document formulations, processes, observations and results. Help build GOVA application knowledge as our technology expands into new product categories. About the Requirements: We are looking for a candidate with academic background in Food science & Technology and relevant experience in food formulation and product development, combining a strong scientific understanding with practical, hands-on expertise. The ideal candidate has: Strong hands-on experience in food formulation and product development. Experience in a food manufacturing company, ingredient company, application lab or similar industrial environment. Understanding of formulations and processes change when moving from lab to industrial scale. Strong knowledge of food ingredients, texture, processing and sensory evaluation. Hands-on capability to formulate, evaluate, and solve formulation challenges independently. Practical, curious, and problem-solving mindset. Strong English Communication skills. Willingness to travel internationally when needed. Why GOVA? Being a part of dynamic and ambitious team working on one of the food industry biggest challenges on reducing sugar while creating products consumer acceptance. Having a key role in expanding GOVA technology across different food applications and markets. Collaborate with international food and ingredient companies and help bring products from lab to industrial production and international market. How to Apply? If you are interested in joining GOVA and contributing to innovative food product development, please submit your C.V and Cover Letter to gova@gova.fi by September 30, 2026.