Scientist, Milling and Grain Science - Decatur, IL

Position Summary

Our Milling, Grain Quality, and Separations Processing focused research group is looking for an experienced scientist to enhance ADM’s grain and oilseed processing capabilities.

The position will work simultaneously across multiple projects in support of operation’s needs, customer care, performance excellence, and growth projects. It will provide daily management of the milling laboratory, equipment maintenance, safety reviews and supplies procurement, and assist technical staff on training and executing experiments. Interdepartmental interactions and networking with technical leaders and staff are required. Understanding and communication of experimental results to operational and business importance and application of experiments to the business environment is desired.

Occasional domestic travel to other ADM locations will be required. Previous experience in laboratory or piloting experimental design and execution for new product development or process optimization is highly desired; a good understanding of laboratory equipment and maintenance, methodology, and laboratory safety are highly desirable. Cereal science, protein chemistry, starch chemistry and food applications experience is desirable. The position will be focused primarily on laboratory scale work but may also involve working in an industrial plant environment and assisting with piloting scale‑up demonstrations.

• Partner with research project teams to identify, develop, and implement new grain and oilseed processing technologies and process improvements before commercialization.
• Lead projects as an individual contributor and team member on matrix projects.
• Evaluate production processes and develop the best methods for scale‑down parameters and pilot testing required to make process changes that increase yield, purity, and/or capacity.
• Design experiments for laboratory and piloting trials, collect and organize data, interpret data.
• Write detailed reports and prepare comprehensive presentations and communicate at all levels of the organization.
• Prepare mass balances of new or existing technologies to understand scale up/scale down.
• Collaborate with plant engineers, vendors, and contractors to identify scale‑up risks and then develop methods to mitigate.
• Provide technical support to existing facilities.
• Support pilot trials in industrial environments.
• Work with subject matter experts and managers to ensure technical work is done with sound scientific methods to provide high quality information in a resource efficient manner.
• Assist junior team members in development, help develop standard operating procedures, and maintain safe laboratory practices.

• Degreed with demonstrated knowledge in Chemical Engineering, Grain Science, Food Science, Milling Science or related field. An advanced degree (MS) or equivalent experience is preferred.

• Two or more years of laboratory or piloting/production experience at a technical level.
• BS with 10+ years of industry experience or an advanced degree (PhD or MS) with 5+ years technical experience.
• Technical background in the areas of milling, cereal, food science or related area (knowledge of grain and oilseed processing from agricultural sources preferred).
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with unit operations of food processing or milling applications and ingredient manufacturing.

• Strong engineering and mechanical aptitude with applied understanding of processing equipment and unit operations including centrifugation, grinding, filtration, dryers, mixers, sizing, dewatering, tempering, and steeping.
• Knowledge of developing basic mass balance and cost models.
• Strong chemistry or cereal science/oilseed science knowledge as applied to processing said materials and final products.
• Strong communication, project management and organizational skills that drive timely experimental results.
• Strong team working skills to encourage open collaboration, feedback and diverse project team members interactions in a matrix project management environment.
• Good understanding of statistical analysis (JMP software), concepts, and principles.
• Good time management skills.
• Ability…