Job Title: Senior Scientist for Hydrocolloids Application
We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced senior scientist to join our team in the development and optimization of hydrocolloid solutions for the food and beverage segments. As a senior scientist, you will play a key role in contributing scientific expertise to project teams, supporting innovation initiatives, and ensuring the successful application of hydrocolloids in diverse industrial contexts.
The ideal candidate will have a strong background in the physical chemistry of hydrocolloids, rheology, formulation, and application development. They will also possess excellent communication and presentation skills, capable of influencing both scientific and business stakeholders.
Responsibilities:
* Scientific Leadership & Innovation:
o Design and conduct lab- and pilot-scale experiments to develop applications in food and beverage products
o Apply knowledge of hydrocolloids to solve technical challenges in food formulation and processing
o Contribute to projects in non-food applications (e.g., personal care, industrial) as needed, supporting cross-sector innovation
* Project & Resource Management:
o Manage assigned projects, timelines, tasks, resources, and reporting to ensure timely delivery of results
o Conducts external collaborations and research programs, ensuring scientific and business objectives are met
* Customer-facing & Strategic Guidance:
o Act as a domain expert, contributing to mid-term strategy development through your specialized knowledge in hydrocolloids and biopolymers
o Serve as a technical expert in direct interactions with key customers, providing guidance on hydrocolloid selection, formulation, and troubleshooting.
o Lead technical presentations, product demonstrations, and training sessions for customers and partners
o Gather market feedback and translate market needs into actionable R&D projects and solutions
* Team Mentorship & Development:
o Mentor and coach junior scientists, fostering a culture of scientific excellence and continuous learning
o Support teams through complex technical challenges and experimental design related to hydrocolloids
* Stakeholder Engagement & Communication:
o Represent the company at key customer level on complex projects
o Work closely with strategic project managers on the project definition and coordinates product launches from the application development perspective
o Represent the company in external scientific forums, building the company's visibility and network within the hydrocolloids community
Qualifications:
* PhD or Master's degree in Food Science, Material Science, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field
* Minimum 10 years of experience in hydrocolloids in industrial R&D settings with hands-on experience on applications
* Proven track record of scientific innovation, including patents, publications, and/or product development
* Deep expertise in the physical chemistry of hydrocolloids, rheology, formulation, and application development
* Experience managing complex projects and external collaborations
* Familiarity with regulatory frameworks, industrial-scale processes, and market requirements in relevant industries
* Excellent communication and presentation skills, capable of influencing both scientific and business stakeholders
* Result-driven
* Entrepreneurial mindset with resilience in navigating uncertainty and ambiguity
* Highly collaborative, adaptable, and proactive in driving cross-functional alignment
* Fluent spoken, written English; German and/or French are a plus
Required Skills:
* Application Development
* Communication and presentation skills
* Expertise in physical chemistry of hydrocolloids
* Fluent English
* Formulation
* Hydrocolloids Applications
* Industrial R&D settings
* Rheology