Research and development technician jobs in Lexington, KY

Job Description At Curaleaf, we're redefining the cannabis industry with a strong commitment to quality, expertise, and innovation. As a leading global cannabis provider, our brands-including Curaleaf, Select, and Grassroots-offer premium products and services in both medical and adult-use markets. Join us at Curaleaf to be part of a high-growth, purpose-driven company that champions corporate social responsibility through our Rooted in Good initiative, supporting community outreach and positive change. Here, you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact, drive innovation, and help shape the future of cannabis. Job Title: Confections Formulation Scientist Location: Lexington, KY or Webster, MA (Relocation may be provided for the right candidate) Job Type: Full Time | Exempt Travel: Up to 50-75% to support our confection production facilities across the country Who You Are: You're a product development scientist with experience in confections, gummies, or candy formulation. You understand how hydrocolloids, pectin/gelatin systems, sugars, and emulsions work together to create consistent flavor, texture, and stability - and you know how to translate bench-top trials into scalable production. You bring deep knowledge of ingredient functionality, emulsions, and hydrocolloids, paired with the technical skill to scale formulations from the lab bench to full production. Whether running shelf-life studies, managing formulation data, or collaborating with cross-functional partners, you approach each challenge with precision, organization, and a problem-solving mindset. Above all, you're excited to push boundaries in the growing cannabis edibles space while upholding the highest standards of quality, safety, and compliance. What You'll Do: As a Confections Formulation Scientist, you'll play a central role in developing and scaling innovative cannabis-infused products. You'll conduct formulation trials, lead product testing, and support commercialization to bring new concepts to market. Your work will span from sensory evaluations to regulatory compliance, ensuring each product is safe, consistent, and high-quality. On any given day, you might be: Supporting the development, optimization, and scaling of cannabis-infused edibles through bench trials, pilot runs, and full-scale production Conducting sensory testing, shelf-life studies, and technical evaluations of texture, flavor, and stability using industry tools like viscometers and texture analyzers Maintaining SOPs, batch records, and technical documentation to streamline operations and support audits Ensuring compliance with GMP, food safety, labeling, and cannabis regulations, including coordinating third-party lab testing and interpreting results Managing formulation and ingredient data using MRP systems and formulation software for efficiency and accuracy Sharing data-driven insights that influence innovation, continuous improvement, and collaboration across the team What You'll Bring: 5-8 years of experience in confectionery formulation and/or food manufacturing A bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Food Chemistry, or a related field Hands-on experience in confection formulation and scale-up, with knowledge of production equipment Strong understanding of ingredient functionality, food chemistry, emulsions, and hydrocolloids to design stable formulations Familiarity with GMPs, food safety, and regulatory requirements, with direct experience in sensory testing and shelf-life evaluations Excellent communication and documentation skills, paired with attention to detail and strong organizational abilities Proficiency with Microsoft Office and formulation software Willingness to travel for trials, production support, and industry events Even Better If: You have experience in the cannabis or hemp industry You're familiar with ERP/MRP systems for managing formulations and ingredient tracking You bring experience applying data science or analytics to product development You've supported R&D trials and helped scale products from concept to commercialization Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, talk or hear, use hands to finger or feel, reach with hands and arms, and lift up to 25 lbs. The employee is occasionally required to climb and balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and lift up to 50 lbs. This position requires close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. Work Environment: This position has allergen warnings, potential exposure to dust, pollen, and plant pathogens, requires exposure to cleaning solvents, such as high volumes of isopropyl alcohol, requires daily use of provided PPE, such as masks, hair nets, beard covers, respirators, boot covers, scrubs, non-slip shoes, and Tyvek suits as necessary, requires the ability to work in confined spaces, has exposure to loud noises, including but not limited to air compressors, packaging equipment, and alarms, has exposure to CO2 manufacturing procedures at OSHA approved CO2 levels and requires a high stress tolerance, adaptability, and flexibility. Ability to work in an ever-changing environment. Curaleaf Pay Transparency$78,000-$87,000 USD What We Offer: Career Growth Opportunities Competitive Pay and Benefits Generous PTO and Parental Leave 401(K) Retirement Plan Life/ Disability Insurance Community Involvement Referral Bonuses and Product Discounts Benefits vary by state, role type, and eligibility. Follow us on Social Media: Instagram: @curaleaf.usa Twitter: @Curaleaf_Inc LinkedIn: Curaleaf LinkedIn Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. (TSX: CURA) (OTCQX: CURLF) ("Curaleaf") is a leading international provider of consumer products in cannabis with a mission to enhance lives by cultivating, sharing, and celebrating the power of the plant. As a high-growth cannabis company known for quality, expertise and reliability, the Company, and its brands, including Curaleaf, Select, Grassroots, JAMS, Find and Zero Proof provide industry-leading service, product selection and accessibility across the medical and adult-use markets. Curaleaf International is the largest vertically integrated cannabis company in Europe with a unique supply and distribution network throughout the European market, bringing together pioneering science and research with cutting-edge cultivation, extraction, and production. Home | Curaleaf | Cannabis with Confidence Our Vision: To be the world's leading cannabis company by consistently delivering superior products and services and driving the global acceptance of cannabis. Our Values: Lead and Inspire. Commit to Win. ONE Curaleaf. Driven to Deliver Excellence. Curaleaf is an equal opportunity employer. Curaleaf recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical ability, age, veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. Individuals adversely impacted by the war on drugs are encouraged to apply. Current Curaleaf employees should apply for open positions through our Internal Job Board, which can be accessed via the link on The Leaf.