Research Scientist

Research Scientist – Gut Health & Clinical Research

The Research Scientist is responsible for building the scientific foundation that differentiates our gut health portfolio through innovative research and evidence-based product development. This role designs, manages, and executes preclinical and clinical research to generate robust scientific substantiation, support regulatory-compliant structure/function claims, and advance a pipeline of science-based initiatives.

Working closely with Product Development, Regulatory, Marketing, Product Education, and Quality, this scientist translates complex microbiome science into compelling, consumer-relevant product benefits that are easily understood.

• Lead and complete 1–3 priority preclinical studies supporting upcoming product launches and patent opportunities.
• Strengthen scientific substantiation by developing differentiated, regulatory-compliant structure/function claims.
• Advance innovation by identifying and evaluating emerging gut health ingredients, technologies, and research opportunities.
• Partner with Marketing and Product Education to translate science into compelling product stories and field education.
• Support innovation and renovation initiatives that strengthen the company's long-term gut health portfolio.

Scientific Research & Innovation

• Design, manage, and execute preclinical and clinical research programs in partnership with internal teams and Contract Research Organizations (CROs).
• Critically evaluate emerging science, patents, and competitive technologies to identify innovation opportunities.
• Develop research strategies that support a 3–5 year gut health innovation pipeline.

Scientific Substantiation

• Develop defensible scientific substantiation for structure/function claims through literature evaluation, research findings, and clinical evidence.
• Author scientific dossiers, white papers, technical summaries, and ingredient substantiation documents.
• Translate microbiome science into differentiated product positioning across digestive health, immune health, metabolic health, and the gut-brain axis.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Collaborate with Regulatory, Marketing, Product Development, Product Education, Quality, and Legal to ensure scientific accuracy and compliance.
• Develop educational content and scientific training that equips internal teams and the field with evidence-based product knowledge.
• Provide scientific leadership throughout product development and commercialization.

External Scientific Engagement

• Build relationships with CROs, academic researchers, Scientific Advisory Boards, and industry partners.
• Attend scientific conferences and evaluate emerging research, ingredient technologies, and partnership opportunities.
• Support Quality with scientific evaluation of Serious Adverse Event reports when needed.

• PhD in Microbiology, Nutrition Science, Biochemistry, or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum of 2 years of relevant industry experience or postdoctoral research.
• Experience designing, managing, analyzing, and interpreting preclinical and clinical research.
• Strong scientific writing, literature evaluation, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while collaborating across cross-functional teams.

• Four or more years of relevant industry experience.
• Expertise in probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics, fermentation-derived ingredients, or microbiome science.
• Experience in weight management and/or cardiometabolic health.
• Peer-reviewed publications and experience supporting product claim substantiation.