Application Scientist, Yeast Expert
About The Position
IFF is a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients and health & biosciences, delivering sustainable innovations that elevate everyday products. The Health & Biosciences division channels passion for nature and bioscience into sustainable, life-enhancing technologies for healthcare, food, consumer, and industrial markets. This role serves as a technical subject matter expert in yeast physiology, fermentation performance, and process optimization for fuel ethanol and potable alcohol applications. The position is located in Cedar Rapids, Wilmington, or Palo Alto. The role involves designing and executing fermentation experiments, supporting customer trials, translating data into actionable insights, and collaborating cross-functionally to advance product and technology objectives. Mentoring junior scientists and technicians is also a key aspect of this role.
Requirements
- PhD or Master’s degree in Microbiology, Fermentation Science, Yeast Physiology, Bioprocess Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field
- Industry experience in fuel ethanol and/or potable alcohol fermentation, with hands-on exposure to yeast performance and process challenges
- Strong working knowledge of yeast physiology, stress responses, and substrate interactions in grain-based fermentations
- Demonstrated experience designing and running bench-scale fermentations
- Experience leading or supporting customer trials and working directly with customers in an applied or technical service role
- Strong analytical skills related to fermentation performance, yield optimization, and product evaluation
- Ability to clearly communicate complex technical concepts in written reports and oral presentations
- Proven ability to work independently while contributing effectively within cross-functional teams
- Willingness to travel up to 25% to support customer trials and technical engagements
Nice To Haves
- Exposure to pilot or plant-scale environments is preferred
- Experience presenting technical results to commercial or business-focused audiences
- Prior experience mentoring, coaching, or developing junior scientists or technicians
- Ability to connect scientific insight with application performance and commercial impact
Responsibilities
- Serve as a technical subject matter expert in yeast physiology, fermentation performance, and process optimization for fuel ethanol and potable alcohol applications
- Design, execute, and interpret bench- and pilot-scale fermentation experiments to support internal development projects and customer needs
- Lead and support customer trials, including trial design, execution, on-site troubleshooting, and post-trial data analysis
- Translate fermentation data into clear, actionable technical recommendations and business-relevant insights
- Present technical findings and conclusions to diverse audiences, including Research & Development (R&D), Sales, Business teams, and customers
- Support commercialization of yeast and enzyme solutions through application evaluation, scale-up assistance, and post-launch technical support
- Collaborate cross-functionally within a global, multidisciplinary organization to advance product, technology, and customer objectives
- Mentor and support the development of junior scientists and technicians, strengthening fermentation and analytical capabilities within the lab
Benefits
- Competitive compensation and benefits within a purpose-driven organization
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
