Lead Expert - Protein Separation & Purification (all genders)

FrieslandCampina; Wageningen; Hybrid; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Train card

€0.23 per km (max 30 km)

200 hours annual leave (option to buy

Flexible work arrangements

Learning and development

Job summary

FrieslandCampina in Wageningen seeks a senior Lead Expert in Protein Separation & Purification to advance dairy protein technologies from research to factory scale. You will drive membrane filtration, chromatography, and other separation methods, shaping the innovation agenda with strategic roadmaps.

You will mentor multidisciplinary teams, collaborate with universities and industry partners, and contribute to IP generation while delivering high-impact process development projects in a global

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemical Engineering, Process Technology, Food Technology, Biotechnology or related field.
• At least 10 years of industrial experience in dairy separation and purification.
• Proven track record in new product development and IP generation.
• Excellent verbal and written English communication; ability to explain complex topics to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Initiate and lead the development of next-generation dairy protein separation technologies, focusing on membrane filtration, chromatography, and new separation methods.
• Shape the long-term technology strategy for separation and purification by identifying future needs and defining roadmaps.
• Build relationships with universities, suppliers, startups and industry partners; represent FrieslandCampina at scientific conferences.
• Mentor and coach colleagues to strengthen scientific excellence and a culture of continuous learning.
• Lead technology workstreams from problem definition to pilot validation and factory implementation, protecting IP.

Skills

Dairy membrane filtration

Protein separation technologies

Scientific communication

Team coaching

English proficiency

Education

PhD in Chemical Engineering, Process Technology, Food Technology, Biotechnology

Job description

We are looking for a Lead Expert - Protein Separation & Purification to strengthen our R&D Process Technology team in our Wageningen Innovation Center. In this senior expert role, you will shape the future of dairy protein separation and purification technologies. You use your deep technical expertise in dairy ingredients to bring scientific advances towards factory implementation. We are explicitly looking for fresh perspectives that help define the agenda for the next generation of protein separation technologies. Will you be the one to tell us where to go?

What we ask

• Recognized expert in dairy membrane filtration and related separation and purification technologies with at least 10 years of relevant industrial experience.
• A proven track record in protein separation technologies, demonstrated through successful new product developments, process improvements, and intellectual property generation.
• PhD in Chemical Engineering, Process Technology, Food Technology, Biotechnology, or related scientific discipline.
• Proven ability to coach and inspire colleagues, foster knowledge development, and contribute to capability building within multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent communication skills in English and the ability to explain complex technical topics to diverse audiences.

We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and experiences. If you are excited about the role but do not meet every qualification, we encourage you to apply and demonstrate why you think you would fit to this role in your cover letter.

What we offer

• A highly visible expert role in protein process development with global impact;
• An international working environment where innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning are central;
• Hybrid working with flexible working hours, a train card and/or €0.23 per km (max. 30 km one way);
• 200 hours of annual leave, with the option to buy or sell up to 40 hours;
• Flexible working arrangements and support for a healthy work-life balance;
• Extensive opportunities for learning, development, and growth in expertise.

Vacancy description

• Initiate and lead the development of next-generation dairy protein separation technologies, focusing on membrane filtration, chromatography, and emerging separation technologies.
• Shape the long-term technology strategy for separation and purification by identifying future capability needs, evaluating emerging technologies, and defining innovation roadmaps.
• Build and maintain relationships with universities, technology suppliers, start-ups and industry partners, represent FrieslandCampina at scientific conferences, and identify external innovations that can strengthen our technology portfolio.
• Act as a role model and mentor for early-career and mid-career colleagues. By coaching, constructively challenging and active knowledge sharing, you help build the next generation of experts, strengthen scientific excellence and foster a culture of continuous learning and curiosity.
• Lead critical technology workstreams within multidisciplinary innovation projects, from problem definition and experimental design through pilot validation up to factory implementation. You generate and protect intellectual property through inventions, patents, and proprietary know-how.
• Act as a leading expert in separation and purification technologies, collaborating with fellow experts across Process Technology to provide technical recommendations, troubleshooting support and strategic guidance to project teams, program managers and senior technology leaders.

At FrieslandCampina, we believe that innovation starts with deep expertise and the courage to challenge conventional thinking. Within R&D, the Membrane Separation & Purification team develops technologies that enable high-value dairy ingredients and efficient manufacturing processes. Based at FrieslandCampina’s Innovation Centre in Wageningen, where we operate our own pilot plant, you will work with experts from process technology, product development and manufacturing to bring new technologies from concept to industrial reality.