Associate Scientist, Analytical Sciences & Natural Products - San Diego, CA

dsm-firmenich•San Diego, CA

6d•$100,000 - $120,000•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a highly skilled (analytical) chemist with strong natural products background to contribute to our next-generation health and chemical senses ingredients discovery program. You will collaborate with our global R&D community of chemists, data scientists, and biologists to explore computer-aided and receptor-driven discovery of new bioactive ingredients and their application in health, nutrition, and beauty. This role provides a unique opportunity to engage with cutting-edge science, collaborate across global teams, and help shape the future of natural ingredient discovery.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Analytical Chemistry, Natural Products and Pharmacognosy, or in Synthetic Chemistry.
At least 3 years’ experience in activity/properties-guided isolation and characterization of bioactive and bio-functional ingredients.
Record of accomplishments demonstrating high drive and keen entrepreneurial innovation.
Strong analytical chemistry skills with the ability to use cutting-edge technologies to speed up the isolation, analysis, and characterization of complex molecules.
Strong understanding and expert handling of a broad range of analytical equipment used in the isolation, analysis, and characterization of natural products, including HPLC, LC-MS, preparative HPLC, and NMR.
Familiarity with modern medicinal chemistry and Structure-Activity-Relationship (SAR)
Familiarity with molecular networking and other computational tools useful for speeding up the discovery of natural products
Great team player and effective communicator with a strong drive for collaboration, excellence, and impact
Excellent problem-solving skills with proven ability to innovate and thrive both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment.

Responsibilities

Generate extracts and fractions from raw natural materials (e.g. plants, fungi) in alignment with project priorities and OKRs
Process new natural products fractions for receptor screening in the context of health, nutrition, taste, perfumery, and beauty projects, as well as other programs as necessary
Isolate and contribute to the characterization of promising hits or compounds of interest from natural extracts
Collaborate with other science experts around the globe to drive project success, e.g. biotech reaction profiling.
Scale up promising natural fractions and compounds for further evaluation
Actively participate in the maintenance and troubleshooting of analytical equipment within the Naturals Lab