Senior Scientist

Job Summary Are you passionate about advancing sustainable flavor innovation through biotechnology and cutting‑edge research? IFF is a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients and health & biosciences. We deliver sustainable innovations that elevate everyday products. Taste:
Crafting unique, technology-enabled flavor designs that define the identity of food and beverage brands, shape trends in flavor building and fuel market success.

The role is based in Union Beach, New Jersey (onsite role). Be part of an innovative, collaborative, and science-driven team where together we can achieve greatness and make a real impact. Your potential is our inspiration.

Drive the development of sustainable flavor ingredients through microbial fermentation, biocatalysis, and natural product discovery. Design and execute laboratory-scale upstream process development programs to support new ingredient innovation pipelines. Conduct instrumental analyses using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) to support flavor characterization and process optimization. Collaborate with flavorists, sensory scientists, and application teams to validate ingredient performance and functionality.

Support scale-up activities, technology transfer, and regulatory review processes to enable commercialization. Partner with regional and global stakeholders to understand market needs and establish product success criteria. Prepare technical reports and communicate research findings to leadership and cross-functional teams. Monitor scientific and industry advancements in taste modulation, flavor science, biotechnology, and fermentation technologies to identify new research opportunities. Propose and advance research initiatives aligned with Taste business and corporate innovation strategies.

• Ph.D. in Food Science, Microbiology, Biochemistry, or a related field with 1-3 years of post-doctoral research experience; or M.S. in a related field with 7+ years of industrial flavor research experience.
• Strong knowledge of flavor chemistry, flavor mechanisms, and sensory interactions.
• Proven experience developing bio-based processes involving fermentation and/or biotransformation of food materials.
• Hands-on experience in microbial strain improvement and high-throughput screening methodologies.
• Understanding of bioreactor operations, fermentation principles, and metabolic pathways.
• Experience with raw material characterization, flavor isolation, extraction, and analytical techniques.
• Proficiency in statistical analysis and interpretation of experimental data.
• Demonstrated ability to assess process economics and commercial feasibility.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and project management skills with the ability to work effectively in a cross‑functional environment.

• Experience in industrial research and development environments within food, flavor, biotechnology, or ingredient industries.
• Knowledge of fermentation scale-up, downstream processing, and flavor fractionation technologies.
• Advanced experience with statistical software and experimental design methodologies.

Opportunity to work on breakthrough technologies shaping the future of sustainable flavor creation. Exposure to global teams, industry-leading scientists, and cross-functional innovation programs. Career development opportunities within a global industry leader. Collaborative and inclusive culture that values scientific curiosity and innovation. Access to learning, development, and technical training programs. Ability to make a direct impact on products enjoyed by consumers around the world.

Compensation ($97,916.00 to $…