Principal Scientist – Food Innovation

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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.