Application Scientist

IFF•Cedar Rapids, IA

About The Position

Are you passionate about innovation that transforms everyday products into extraordinary experiences? IFF is a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients and health & biosciences, we deliver sustainable innovations that elevate everyday products. Health & Biosciences: Channeling our passion for nature and bioscience into sustainable, life-enhancing technologies that power innovative solutions across healthcare, food, consumer and industrial markets. The role is tied to either our Cedar Rapids, Wilmington, or Palo Alto location. Be part of a creative, agile team where together we can achieve greatness and make a real impact. Your potential is our inspiration.

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; exposure to pilot or plant-scale environments is preferred
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

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

Opportunity to work on impactful, industrial-scale fermentation challenges with real customer outcomes
Blend of hands-on laboratory work and customer-facing technical leadership
Collaborative, global team environment with strong cross-functional interaction
Exposure to product development through commercialization and post-launch support
Commitment to scientific excellence, learning, and professional growth
Competitive compensation and benefits within a purpose-driven organization

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