Job Summary

Are you ready to shape the future of natural flavor innovation through cutting-edge biotechnology and collaborative 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.

IFF in Union Beach, NJ is seeking a Scientist – Upstream Development, Natural Flavor Ingredients to join our Food Biotech R&D team!

It’s an exciting time to be part of IFF’s Food Biotech team. As a research scientist, you will play a pivotal role in the development of natural flavors and taste modulation ingredients aligned with corporate strategies and business goals. You will work semi-independently and within a highly collaborative team environment, contributing to upstream discovery and bio-based process development.

Be part of an innovative and dynamic team where together we can achieve greatness and make a real impact. Your potential is our inspiration.

Where You’ll Make a Difference

Advance technologies that transform sustainable raw materials into high-value flavor ingredients via microbial fermentation and biocatalysisSupport lab and bench-scale process development for upstream discoveryDesign and conduct microbial strain screening experimentsPerform instrumental analysis (GC-MS, HPLC, LC-MS) to study flavor chemistry and molecular mechanismsCollaborate with flavorists, sensory scientists, and application teams to validate ingredient performanceSupport scale-up processes and assist in supply chain and regulatory reviewWrite organized reports and present findings to cross-functional teamsReview patents and scientific literature to propose aligned research initiatives

What Makes You the Right Fit

Ph.D. in Food Science, Microbiology, Biochemistry, or related field with 0–3 years of postdoctoral experience, or MS with 5+ years in industrial flavor researchUnderstanding of bioreactor principles and metabolic pathwaysExperience with instrumental analysis (HPLC, GC-MS)Strong knowledge of flavor chemistry and microbial strain screeningExperience in sensory evaluation (taste and smell)Proficiency in statistical data analysisSelf-motivated with a strong sense of ownership and teamworkEffective communication and interpersonal skillsAbility to work in a cross-functional team environment

How Would You Stand Out?

Industrial laboratory experience in fermentation and downstream processingExperience with high-throughput screening for strains and metabolitesKnowledge of flavor fractionation and reconstitution for target profilesExperience in molecular modeling and in silico screening of small molecules and peptides

Why Choose Us?

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurancePaid parental leave (16 weeks)401(k) with 6% company matchCareer development programs and tuition reimbursementEmployee assistance programsInclusive and collaborative work environment

Total Base Pay Range: 67.200,00 - 96.000,00

We are a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition, offering our customers a broader range of natural solutions and accelerating our growth strategy. At IFF, we believe that your uniqueness unleashes our potential. We value the diverse mosaic of the ethnicity, national origin, race, age, sex, or veteran status. We strive for an inclusive workplace that allows each of our colleagues to bring their authentic self to work regardless of their religion, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation, or disability.

Visit IFF.com/careers/workplace-diversity-and-inclusion to learn more

Salary Ranges:

$76800- $96000