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

dsm-firmenich; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

dsm-firmenich in San Diego, CA is seeking an Associate Scientist to advance analytical chemistry and natural products discovery for health, nutrition, and beauty applications. You will isolate and characterize bioactive ingredients, collaborate with global teams, and scale promising fractions for further testing.

Requirements include a Master's degree in Analytical Chemistry or related field, 3+ years of experience in isolation/characterization, and strong analytical skills with HPLC/LC-MS/NMR.

Qualifications

• 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 entrepreneurial innovation.
• Strong analytical chemistry skills with the ability to use cutting-edge technologies to speed up isolation, analysis, and characterization of complex molecules.
• Familiarity with analytical equipment including HPLC, LC-MS, preparative HPLC, and NMR.
• Familiarity with medicinal chemistry and Structure-Activity-Relationship (SAR).
• Familiarity with molecular networking and computational tools for speeding up discovery.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and collaborative mindset.

Responsibilities

• Generate extracts and fractions from raw natural materials (plants, fungi) per project priorities and OKRs.
• Process natural products fractions for receptor screening within health, nutrition, taste, perfumery, and beauty programs.
• Isolate and characterize promising hits or compounds from natural extracts.
• Collaborate with global science teams to drive project success, e.g. biotech reaction profiling.
• Scale up promising natural fractions and compounds for further evaluation.
• Maintain and troubleshoot analytical equipment within the Naturals Lab.

Education

Master's degree in Analytical Chemistry

Natural Products and Pharmacognosy

Synthetic Chemistry

Job description

Associate Scientist, Analytical Sciences & Natural Products

Location: San Diego, CA

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.

Key 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

We Offer:

• A science led company with cutting edge research and creativity everywhere - from Science and Research breakthroughs to sustainability gamechangers, you'll work on what's next
• A unique career paths with growth that keeps up with you - you join an industry leader with highly motivated, professional, multicultural, and interdisciplinary team that will develop your expertise and leadership
• A chance to impact millions of consumers every day
• A community where your voice matters and a culture that lifts you up - with collaborative teams, shared wins, and people who cheer each other on
• Competitive pay, career growth opportunities, and outstanding benefit programs
• A highly collaborative Science and Research community with over 2000 scientists and more than 700M in yearly Science and Research investments

You Bring:

• 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.

The salary or hourly wage scale provided reflects the pay range dsm-firmenich expects to pay the successful candidate for the position. Individual pay offered will be based on the applicant’s job-related skills, experience, relevant education, or training, and primary work location. This position is also eligible for bonuses and benefits, which are not included in the pay scale provided. Salary $100,000-$120,000.

In addition to base salary, we also offer a comprehensive total rewards package, inclusive of annual incentive pay, a retirement savings plan, health care coverage, paid time off, recognition programs and a broad range of other benefits. All benefits and incentives are subject to eligibility requirements.

About dsm-firmenich

At dsm-firmenich, we don't just meet expectations - we go beyond them.

Join our global team powered by science, creativity, and a shared purpose: to bring progress to life.

From elevating health to making fortified food and sustainable skincare, the impact of your work here will be felt by millions - every single day. Whether it's fragrance that helps you focus, alternative meat that's better for the planet, or reducing sugar without losing flavor, this is where you help shape the future of nutrition, health, and beauty for everyone, everywhere.

And while you're making a difference, we'll make sure you're growing too. With learning that never stops, a culture that lifts you up and the freedom to move across businesses, teams, and borders. Your voice matters here. And your ideas? They're essential to our future.

Because real progress only happens when we go beyond, together.

Inclusion, belonging and equal opportunity statement

At dsm-firmenich, we believe being a force for good starts with the way we treat each other. When people feel supported, included, and free to be themselves, they do their best work - and that's exactly the kind of culture we're building. A place where opportunity is truly equal, authenticity is celebrated, and everyone has the chance to grow, contribute, and feel they belong.

We're proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we're serious about making our hiring process as fair and inclusive as possible. From inclusive language and diverse interview panels to thoughtful sourcing, we're committed to reflecting the world we serve.

We welcome candidates from all backgrounds - no matter your gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or anything else that makes you, you.

And if you have a disability or need any support through the application process, we're here to help - just let us know what you need, and we'll do everything we can to make it work.

Agency statement

We're managing this search directly at dsm-firmenich. If you're applying as an individual, we'd love to hear from you. We're not accepting agency submissions or proposals involving fees or commissions for this role.