Associate Product Development Scientist

Missouri Ag Connection; Saint Charles, Northern (MO, KY); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) retirement plan

Parental leave & fertility coverage

Tuition reimbursement

Generous PTO

Job summary

Bunge is seeking an Associate Product Development Scientist to support R&D activities across sample room operations, pilot plant trials, and analytical testing. You will work with project leaders and cross-functional teams in a STEM environment, performing experiments and documenting results.

The role emphasizes troubleshooting, data analysis, and formulation scale-up, with collaboration across R&D, Quality, Regulatory, and Operations. Health benefits and professional growth are offered.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM field with 1-5 years of experience or Master’s degree with 0-2 years of experience.
• Hands-on experience in laboratory or pilot plant settings preferred.
• Familiarity with analytical instrumentation and experimental design.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks with minimal supervision.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills.
• Proactive mindset with a passion for learning and innovation.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a backup or lead for sample room and pilot plant operations, ensuring smooth execution of trials and sample preparation.
• Support R&D development work by conducting analytical testing using techniques such as DSC, GC, HPLC, PLM, and chemical reaction monitoring.
• Execute experiments under the guidance of project leads, maintaining accurate records and adhering to established protocols.
• Assist in the preparation and scale-up of formulations for pilot plant and production trials.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including R&D, Procurement, Quality, Regulatory, and Operations to support project goals.
• Maintain laboratory equipment and ensure a clean, safe, and organized work environment.
• Participate in data collection, analysis, and reporting to support decision-making and product development.
• Demonstrate initiative in troubleshooting, problem-solving, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Uphold high standards of job ethics, confidentiality, and scientific integrity.

Skills

STEM degree

Lab experience

Analytical instruments

Strong communication

Education

BSc/MSc in STEM

Job description

City: St. Louis

State: Missouri (US-MO)

Country: United States (US)

Requisition Number: 48624

A Day in the Life:

As an Associate Product Development Scientist, you will play a key role in supporting research and development activities across sample room operations, pilot plant trials, and analytical testing. This position is ideal for individuals with a STEM background who are task-driven, curious, and capable of working independently while collaborating closely with project leaders and cross-functional teams.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Serve as a backup or lead for sample room and pilot plant operations, ensuring smooth execution of trials and sample preparation.
• Support R&D development work by conducting analytical testing using techniques such as Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Gas Chromatography (GC), HPLC, Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM), and chemical reaction monitoring.
• Execute experiments under the guidance of project leads, maintaining accurate records and adhering to established protocols.
• Assist in the preparation and scale-up of formulations for pilot plant and production trials.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including R&D, Procurement, Quality, Regulatory, and Operations to support project goals.
• Maintain laboratory equipment and ensure a clean, safe, and organized work environment.
• Participate in data collection, analysis, and reporting to support decision-making and product development.
• Demonstrate initiative in troubleshooting, problem-solving, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Uphold high standards of job ethics, confidentiality, and scientific integrity.

Skills/Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM field with 1-5 years of experience or Master's degree with 0-2 years of experience.
• Hands-on experience in laboratory or pilot plant settings preferred.
• Familiarity with analytical instrumentation and experimental design.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks with minimal supervision.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills.
• A proactive mindset with a passion for learning and innovation.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs.

Benefits:

• Health Benefits Offering choices so you can enroll in medical, dental and vision plans that meet your individual needs.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan Investing in your future with an automatic 5% company contribution AND matching up to 4% of your contributions.
• Family Support Supporting new and growing families by providing 6 weeks of 100% paid parental leave and fertility coverage.
• Tuition Reimbursement after one year of service, eligible for tuition expenses reimbursement of up to $5000 per year.
• Time Off Providing generous PTO based on professional work experience
  • 0 9 years: 25 days
  • 10 19 years: 30 days
  • 20+ years: 35 days

At Bunge (NYSE: BG), our purpose is to connect farmers to consumers to deliver essential food, feed and fuel to the world. As a premier agribusiness solutions provider, our team of 34,000 dedicated employees partner with farmers across the globe to move agricultural commodities from where they’re grown to where they’re needed in faster, smarter, and more efficient ways. We are a world leader in grain origination, storage, distribution, oilseed processing and refining, offering a broad portfolio of plant-based oils, fats, and proteins. We work alongside our customers at both ends of the value chain to deliver quality products and develop tailored, innovative solutions that address evolving consumer needs. With 200+ years of experience and presence in over 50 countries, we are committed to strengthening global food security, advancing sustainability, and helping communities prosper where we operate. Bunge has its registered office in Geneva, Switzerland and its corporate headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri. Learn more at Bunge.com.

Every day our people exemplify these values, which represent Bunge at its core:

We Are One Team Collaborative, Respectful, Inclusive
We Lead The Way Agile, Empowered, Innovative
We Do What's Right Safety, Sustainability, With Integrity

If this sounds like you, join us! We value and invest in people who believe in our purpose and are excited to live it every day people who are #ProudtoBeBunge