Senior Scientist - Hydrocolloids Application (m/f/d)

As a Senior Scientist for Hydrocolloids Applications, you will play a key role in developing and optimizing hydrocolloid solutions for the food and beverage segments. You will contribute scientific expertise to project teams, support innovation initiatives, and ensure the successful application of hydrocolloids in diverse industrial contexts. Experience in non-food applications (such as personal care or industrial uses) is considered a strong plus, broadening the impact of your work across multiple sectors. This position is ideal for a hands‑on experienced scientist with deep technical knowledge and a passion for practical problem‑solving in both established and emerging markets.

Responsibilities

Scientific Leadership & Innovation

• Design and conduct lab- and pilot scale experiments to develop applications in food and beverage products.
• Apply knowledge of hydrocolloids to solve technical challenges in food formulation and processing.
• Contribute to projects in non-food applications (e.g., personal care, industrial) as needed, supporting cross‑sector innovation.

Project & Resource Management

• Manage assigned projects, timelines, tasks, resources and reporting to ensure timely delivery of results.
• Conduct external collaborations and research programs, ensuring scientific and business objectives are met.

Customer-facing & Strategic Guidance

• Act as a domain expert, contributing to the mid‑term strategy development through your specialized knowledge in hydrocolloids and biopolymers.
• Serve as a technical expert in direct interactions with key customers, providing guidance on hydrocolloid selection, formulation, and troubleshooting.
• Lead technical presentations, product demonstrations, and training sessions for customers and partners.
• Gather market feedback and translate market needs into actionable R&D projects and solutions.

Team Mentorship & Development

• Mentor and coach junior scientists, fostering a culture of scientific excellence and continuous learning.
• Support teams through complex technical challenges and experimental design related to hydrocolloids.

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication

• Represent the company at key customer level on complex projects.
• Work closely with strategic project managers on the project definition and coordinate product launches from the application development perspective.
• Represent the company in external scientific forums, building the company’s visibility and network within the hydrocolloids community.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. 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.