Associate Scientist II - Nutrition - Columbus, OH

Thornton Tomasetti; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 55,000 - 111,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career development

Free medical coverage

Strong retirement plan

Tuition reimbursement

FreeU education benefit

Job summary

Abbott in Columbus, OH, is seeking an Associate Scientist II to develop and optimize nutrition products for commercial launch. You will create formulations that improve performance, support claims, and ensure regulatory compliance while strengthening supply chain resilience.

The role requires a MS or BS in Food Science (or related field) with relevant experience, strong analytical and collaborative skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.

Qualifications

• MS in Food Science or related field with 0–3 years, or BS with 3–7 years of experience.
• Preferred: experience in food, nutrition, beverage, dairy or related product development environments.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, communication, and teamwork skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Experience with experimental design, data analysis, and technical reporting preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize nutritional products for commercial launch by creating formulations that improve product performance and meet regulatory requirements.
• Lead defined project workstreams from line extensions and renovations to new product innovations.
• Support product development activities from concept through commercialization.
• Conduct experiments to optimize nutritional, microbiological, sensory, and physical attributes.
• Prepare technical reports and communicate project updates to stakeholders.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams including Marketing, Operations, Quality, Regulatory, Purchasing, and Legal.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Communication

Teamwork

Education

MS in Food Science or related field

BS in Food Science or related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

PowerPoint

Job description

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 122,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

Job DESCRIPTION: Associate Scientist II

About Abbott

Our nutrition business develops science‑based nutrition products for people of all ages, from helping babies and children grow to keeping adult bodies strong and active. Millions of people around the world count on our leading brands – including Similac®, PediaSure®, Pedialyte®, Ensure®, and Glucerna® – to help them get the nutrients they need to live their healthiest lives. At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and your family, be your true self, and live a full life.

• Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.
• Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year.
• An excellent retirement savings plan with a high employer contribution
• Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program, and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree.
• A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries worldwide and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.
• A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as the best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.

Opportunity

Our location in Columbus, OH, currently has an opportunity for an Associate Scientist II. In Research & Development (R&D) our ambition is to provide innovative high‑quality products, creating sustainable value, delivering superior user experience and enhancing health outcomes at all stages of life.

What You’ll Do

Day to day activities may include but are not limited to the following:

Primary Function: Develop and optimize nutritional products for commercial launch by creating formulations that improve product performance, support product claims, meet regulatory requirements, and strengthen supply chain resilience. Support the technical development of nutritional products and lead defined project workstreams ranging from line extensions and renovations to new product innovations. Support product development activities from concept through commercialization.

Major Responsibilities

• Support the planning and execution of experiments to optimize the nutritional, microbiological, sensory, and physical attributes of new and existing products.
• Conduct laboratory and pilot‑scale trials; document observations, analyze results, and communicate conclusions and recommendations.
• Interpret experimental results and recommend appropriate next steps and action plans.
• Support scale‑up, production readiness, and commercialization activities.
• Prepare technical reports and communicate project updates to stakeholders.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams including Marketing, Operations, Quality, Regulatory, Purchasing, and Legal.
• Support the evaluation of ingredients, formulations, and technical solutions to achieve product development objectives.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation in accordance with quality and regulatory requirements.

Accountability/Scope: Independently execute assigned project activities and contribute to the successful delivery of product development initiatives. Identify technical challenges, risks, and opportunities, and recommend data‑driven solutions in collaboration with project teams. Build technical expertise in nutritional product development, ingredient functionality, and the New Product Development process. Deliver high‑quality work through sound scientific practices, attention to detail, and timely execution. Apply continuous improvement principles by evaluating existing approaches and incorporating new tools, technologies, and ways of working. Develop an understanding of business priorities, consumer needs, and product requirements to support project objectives.

Required Qualifications

• MS in Food Science or a related scientific field with 0-3 years of relevant experience, or BS in Food Science or a related scientific field with 3-7 years of relevant experience.
• Preferred: Experience in food, nutrition, beverage, dairy, or related product development environments preferred.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, communication, and teamwork skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Experience with experimental design, data analysis, and technical reporting preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to stand for extended periods while supporting laboratory, pilot plant, and production activities.
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds as needed to support R&D trials.

MISC

This is an on‑site role - not a remote role. Sponsorship: we will not provide sponsorship of any kind for this role (including OPT). Relocation assistance is not offered for this role.

The base pay for this position is $55,300.00 – $110,700.00 In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.

JOB FAMILY: Research and Discovery DIVISION: ANRD Nutrition Research & Development LOCATION: United States > Columbus : RP04 ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS: WORK SHIFT: Standard TRAVEL: Yes, 5 % of the Time MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE: No SIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES: Continuous sitting for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hour day), Keyboard use (greater or equal to 50% of the workday)

Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities/Women/Individuals with Disabilities/Protected Veterans.

EEO is the Law link - English: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_English.pdf EEO is the Law link - Espanol: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_Spanish.pdf

Abbott is about the power of health. For more than 135 years, Abbott has been helping people reach their potential — because better health allows people and communities to achieve more. With a diverse, global network serving customers in more than 160 countries, we create new solutions — across the spectrum of health, around the world, for all stages of life. Whether it’s next‑generation diagnostics, life‑changing devices, science‑based nutrition, or novel reformulations, we are advancing some of the most innovative and revolutionary technologies in healthcare, helping people live their best lives through better health. The people of Abbott come to work each day with relentless energy, enthusiasm and a promise to enhance the health and well‑being of millions of people. They push the boundaries to help manage and treat some of life’s greatest health challenges. We invite you to explore opportunities at Abbott, to see if your talents and career aspirations may fit with our openings. An equal opportunity employer, Abbott welcomes and encourages diversity in our workforce.