Principal Scientist – Food Science (Enzyme Applications) - 257152
Listed on 2026-08-18
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Research/Development
Research Scientist
Principal Scientist – Food Science (Enzyme Applications)
Location: Western Suburbs of Chicago (On-site)
Position Type: Full-Time, Direct Hire
Travel: Up to 25% (Domestic & International)
About Us
Join a long-established leader in the custom food science industry! We pride ourselves on creating bespoke enzyme solutions engineered specifically to meet our clients' exact specifications.
When you join our team, you’re joining a company known for exceptional employee tenure, a collaborative environment, and an outstanding culture that our team members consistently rate as a great place to work. If you are looking for a stable, high-impact role where your expertise is valued and your career can thrive, we would love to hear from you.
Position Overview
We are seeking a Principal Scientist to join our 5-person R&D laboratory. This pivotal role balances hands-on bench testing of enzyme applications in food systems with high-level technical client engagement.
As a key scientific voice for the company, you will lead custom product development, leverage analytical instrumentation, mentor laboratory staff, and serve as a technical liaison to international and domestic clients.
Key Responsibilities
- R&D & Product Innovation: Lead R&D initiatives and execute hands-on bench work. Design of Experiments (DOE) to drive new product innovation and fulfill custom client specifications.
- Analytical Testing: Utilize advanced analytical assays—including HPLC, GC, and spectrophotometry—to evaluate and optimize enzyme performance in complex food matrices.
- Client Liaison & Technical Support: Serve as a primary technical resource by presenting research findings directly to clients, delivering technical presentations at industry trade shows, and collaborating directly on tailored customer solutions.
- Leadership & Mentorship: Supervise, mentor, and direct the daily work of 1–2 direct reports within the R&D lab team.
- IP & Documentation: Draft comprehensive technical reports, research papers, and documentation to support potential patent filings and maintain internal knowledge assets.
- Travel: Travel up to 25% (domestically and internationally) for customer meetings, technical support, and industry conferences.
Qualifications & Requirements
- Education: Ph.D. in Food Science, Biochemistry, Biology, or a closely related scientific discipline.
- Industry Experience: 3+ years of relevant industry experience, including direct experience working with enzymes in an R&D or food product development capacity (e.g., food manufacturing, dairy processing, baking, or related sectors).
- Application Expertise: Deep, practical expertise in food applications.
- Intellectual Property: Must be a named author or co-author on at least one patent.
- Communication Skills: Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, with proven ability to present complex technical topics to clients and stakeholders.
- Leadership Skills: Strong natural leadership capabilities; prior formal leadership/supervisory experience is a strong plus.
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