R&D Lab Technician - Feed Formulator

Oberland Agriscience Inc. is a sustainable black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) farm in Halifax, NS. We are dedicated to closing the food loop in our region and making a positive contribution to our planet. Oberland’s high-performing team rears BSFL in our zero-waste facility, delivering exceptional productivity per hectare and yielding nutrient-rich, low-environmental impact products.

Partnering with local food producers and distributors, Oberland upcycles organic waste and food production by-products such as spent grains from local craft breweries to grow BSFL on an industrial scale. Oberland actively plays a role in a more sustainable circular economy in Atlantic Canada.

Oberland generates high-quality sustainable protein products from the larvae, marketed and sold under the Obie’s BSFL brand, and is seeking certification on an insect-derived fertilizer product for home gardens and agricultural lands.

Job Summary

We are seeking a detail-oriented and data-driven professional to join our team as an R&D Lab Technician / Feed Formulator. This role focuses on feed formulation, laboratory experimentation, data analysis, and formulation validation to support product development and production readiness.

The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting R&D initiatives, maintaining formulation accuracy and consistency, and improving operational efficiency across the organization. This position is well suited for a technically minded individual who enjoys analytical problem-solving, laboratory work, and working with data and formulation systems in a fast-paced research environment.

Key Responsibilities

Formulation & Data Management

• Develop, validate, and optimize feed formulations, and maintain formulation databases
• Ensure ingredient specifications, nutritional values, assay results, and formulation inputs are accurate and current
• Serve as the primary technical lead for formulation release, ensuring formulations are production-ready
• Support production troubleshooting and internal technical requests
• Maintain consistency and alignment across formulation and operational systems

Laboratory & R&D Support

• Conduct laboratory experiments, testing, and product analysis to support R&D projects
• Assist with trial design, sample collection, method development, and data interpretation
• Maintain accurate records of experiments, results, and technical documentation
• Prepare technical reports, summaries, and presentations of findings
• Collaborate with operations, production, and purchasing teams to support project goals and timelines
• Stay current with emerging technologies, ingredients, and industry developments

Collaboration & Professionalism

• Build strong working relationships with internal teams and external partners
• Demonstrate professionalism, accountability, and attention to detail in all aspects of work
• Contribute positively to a collaborative, hands-on, and fast-paced team environment
• Lead by example and embody company values and cultural commitments

Qualifications & Skills

• Post-secondary education in Nutrition, Animal Science, Biochemistry, Food Science, or a related field is required
• Knowledge of feed formulation principles and practical experience formulating diets is required
• Strong numerical, analytical, and quantitative problem-solving skills
• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy
• Proficiency working with databases, spreadsheets, laboratory data, and formulation systems
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining organized records
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team
• Experience working in an R&D laboratory environment with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)
• Hands-on attitude and willingness to work in both laboratory and production environment
• Experience in food, feed manufacturing, or product development environments; GMP facility and feed formulation software experience is an asset

Pay: $50,000.00-$60,000.00 per year

Benefits

• Casual dress
• Dental care
• Disability insurance
• Extended health care
• Life insurance
• On-site parking
• Paid time off
• Vision care

Ability to commute/relocate

• Halifax, NS: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)

Application question(s)

• What interested you in applying for a position Oberland Agriscience?

Work Location: In person