Sr. Scientist I

IFF; Benicarló; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Pension plan

Life insurance

Employee assistance program

Job summary

IFF is seeking a Senior Scientist I in Delivery Systems R&D to lead fragrance delivery projects from concept through scalable production. You will drive technical strategies, supervise complex experiments, and partner with cross-functional teams to translate breakthrough ideas into manufacturable solutions.

You will mentor junior staff, shape experimental approaches, and ensure compliance with safety and quality standards while delivering business value and competitive differentiation across

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Colloid Science, Physical Chemistry, or closely related field; MSc with strong industrial R&D experience acceptable.
• Ability to lead technical workstreams within a broad technical area with limited supervision.
• Experience coordinating projects, managing technical complexity, and turning hypotheses into actionable recommendations.
• Strong scientific and technical expertise with the ability to communicate complex results to global audiences.
• Excellent written and oral communication, presenting to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Proven collaboration with global, matrixed teams and ability to influence stakeholders.
• Commitment to safety, documentation quality, and regulatory/compliance expectations.
• Track record of delivering impactful technical solutions aligned with business goals.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical programs focused on fragrance delivery, encapsulation, controlled release, and related technologies.
• Develop technical approaches, experimental strategies, and project plans aligned with business objectives.
• Design experiments, interpret data, define next steps, and communicate results to stakeholders.
• Identify materials, ingredients, and platforms offering competitive advantages.
• Act as technical lead on multidisciplinary teams and manage project areas with independence.
• Support scale-up, manufacturing readiness, and commercialization with Process R&D and Operations.
• Create robust documentation, invention disclosures, and patent-support materials.
• Mentor junior scientists and engineers to strengthen experimental discipline.
• Contribute to external scouting, collaborations, and safe lab practices.

Skills

Scientific leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Technical program leadership

Communication skills

Education

PhD in Chemistry or related

Job description

Job Summary

Join us in redefining the future of fragrance delivery. Do you have the scientific expertise, innovative mindset, and technical leadership skills to transform breakthrough ideas into scalable solutions that delight consumers worldwide?

IFF is a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients, and health & biosciences. We deliver sustainable innovations that elevate everyday products.

Harnessing the full emotional power of scent, driven by pioneering creativity, science, consumer expertise and a mindful approach to fragrance design.

As a Senior Scientist I within the Delivery Systems R&D organization, you will contribute to the strategic development of next-generation fragrance delivery technologies that support business growth and technology differentiation.

You will lead technical workstreams, develop scientific approaches, drive innovation programs and support the translation of new delivery concepts into scalable and manufacturable solutions.

This position requires a strong scientific foundation combined with the ability to lead complex technical programs, influence cross-functional teams and mentor more junior technical contributors.

Where You'll Make a Difference

• Lead technical programs focused on fragrance delivery, encapsulation, controlled release, formulation, and other related delivery technologies.
• Develop technical approaches, experimental strategies, and project plans aligned with business, innovation, and commercialization objectives.
• Design and execute experiments, interpret complex data, define next steps, and communicate scientific conclusions to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Identify new materials, ingredients, process routes, and technology platforms that provide a technical and/or competitive advantage.
• Act as the technical lead or functional representative on multidisciplinary project teams, managing assigned project areas with a high degree of independence.
• Support scale-up, manufacturing readiness, and commercialization activities in partnership with Process R&D, Operations, Quality, Regulatory, and Commercial functions.
• Generate robust technical documentation, invention disclosures, patent-support materials, reports, and presentations to enable project progression and knowledge sharing.
• Mentor junior scientists, engineers, and technicians, strengthening experimental discipline and scientific problem-solving across the group.
• Contribute to external technology scouting, open innovation evaluation, assessment of potential partners or technology providers, and promote safe laboratory and pilot plant practices while ensuring compliance with applicable quality, EHS, and documentation expectations.

What Makes You the Right Fit

• PhD in Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Colloid Science, Physical Chemistry, or a closely related scientific discipline; or MSc with substantial relevant industrial experience in R&D, technology development, formulation, materials science, encapsulation, delivery systems, or related fields.
• Demonstrated ability to develop differentiated technical approaches, translate science into business value, and lead technical workstreams within a broadly defined technical area with limited supervision.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating projects, managing technical complexity, and structuring ambiguous technical problems into clear hypotheses, experiments, technical conclusions, and actionable recommendations.
• Strong scientific and technical expertise, with the ability to design, execute, interpret, and communicate complex technical findings to global and cross-functional audiences.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to present technical information effectively to technical, non-technical, and globally diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to work effectively with global, technically diverse, and matrixed teams, demonstrating collaborative leadership and the ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders and drive alignment.
• Strong commitment to safety, scientific rigor, documentation quality, and business-oriented execution, ensuring high standards of compliance, quality, and technical integrity.
• Demonstrated execution excellence, balancing scientific depth with urgency, quality, innovation, and successful project delivery against business objectives.
• Proven ability to manage complexity, support strategic decision-making, and deliver impactful technical solutions that create business impact and commercialization value.

How Would You Stand Out?

• Experience and knowledge in microencapsulation, fragrance and/or flavor delivery systems, controlled release technologies, consumer product formulation, and a strong background in polymer science, colloid science, interfacial science, material science, physical chemistry, or analytical characterization.
• Experience supporting scale-up, manufacturing transfer, process development, and commercialization of new technologies, translating technical innovation into practical business applications.
• Track record of technical leadership, invention disclosures, patents, publications, external collaborations, or technology scouting, with experience in home care, personal care, fine fragrance, flavors, consumer products, or specialty materials industries.

Why Choose Us?

IFF offers an attractive compensation and benefits package designed to support your health, wellbeing, and work-life balance, including:

• Comprehensive medical coverage for you, with optional coverage for your family.
• Pension plan to support your long-term financial security.
• Life and accident/disability insurance.
• Benefits Club with exclusive discounts and savings on everyday purchases and vacation packages through a wide network of providers.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP), offering discreet access to a wide range of wellbeing, financial, and personal support services for you and members of your household.
• Work in an inclusive and collaborative environment where diverse perspectives are valued.

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