Pay Rate Low: 100000 | Pay Rate High: 120000
Principal Scientist - Food Innovation (Enzymes)Location: Greater Chicago Area
Direct Hire
$100K-$120K Our client is seeking a
Principal Scientist to lead R&D initiatives focused on enzyme technologies and food applications. This is a hands-on scientific leadership role responsible for developing innovative ingredient solutions, supporting product commercialization, and serving as a technical subject matter expert.
Key Responsibilities: - Lead R&D programs focused on enzyme-based food applications and innovative product development
- Execute hands-on laboratory research and bench-scale experimentation, with approximately 75% of the role spent in the lab
- Design and execute experiments, formulation studies, and product development projects from concept through commercialization
- Develop novel enzyme blends and food applications designed to support revenue growth and market expansion
- Conduct laboratory and pilot-scale trials with internal teams, customers, co-packers, and external research partners
- Identify new product opportunities through customer engagement, market research, industry trends, and conferences
- Partner with Sales and Marketing as a technical resource to support customer projects, business development, and technical marketing initiatives
- Provide technical expertise and support to existing and prospective customers
- Lead high-level technical presentations for internal stakeholders, customers, and industry conferences
- Collaborate with universities, food research institutes, and external R&D organizations on joint innovation initiatives
- Contribute technical data and scientific research to support intellectual property and patent development
- Supervise, mentor, and develop laboratory personnel and multidisciplinary scientific teams
- Oversee laboratory operations, equipment maintenance, safety, 5S practices, and quality standards
- Maintain accurate laboratory documentation and ensure compliance with GMP, SQF, food safety, and corporate quality requirements
- Collaborate with global R&D teams to share scientific insights and support consistent research initiatives
Qualifications: - PhD in Food Science, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, or a related scientific discipline (MS with significant industry R&D leadership experience may be considered)
- 3+ years of progressive R&D experience in food, enzymes, or applied biotechnology
- Strong knowledge of enzyme functionality and applications within food systems
- Experience with industrial enzyme applications strongly preferred
- Proven experience developing and commercializing food products, ingredient technologies, or enzyme-based applications
- Hands-on laboratory research and experimental design experience
- Experience with analytical techniques such as GC, HPLC, spectrophotometry, or chromatography
- Experience leading, mentoring, or supervising scientific personnel preferred
- Experience with customer-facing technical support, presentations, or cross-functional R&D projects preferred
- Strong scientific reasoning, problem-solving, communication, and strategic thinking skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities while balancing hands-on laboratory research with strategic and administrative responsibilities
This job description is a complete list of all desired skills, but not all are required. We strongly encourage candidates who have some of the skills to apply. We look forward to a conversation to learn more about you!
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