Lipid Science & Applications Scientist I - Decatur, IL

ADM; Decatur (IL); On-site; USD 49,000 - 91,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with matching

Paid time off

Tuition assistance

Job summary

ADM in Decatur, IL seeks a Scientist I for Lipid Science & Applications / Oil Processing to support pilot plant and lab activities. You will perform lipid analysis, methods development, and scale-up studies, reporting findings with strong documentation.

The role emphasizes safe operation of equipment, adherence to SOPs, and collaboration with cross-functional teams to support Oils business growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor or Master in food science/biology/chemistry/material science.

Responsibilities

• Assist in managing the LS&A lab and maintain calibration of wet chemistry and analytical equipment.
• Follow approved methods and SOPs to support bench and pilot plant work.
• Review, update and write SOPs and perform JSA safety assessments.
• Operate bench and pilot enzymatic interesterification equipment for product development.
• Operate deodorization equipment and assist in scale-up of oil processing.
• Blend oils from bench to pilot area and run pilot plant heat exchanger units.
• Design experiments to study fat/oil modification impacts on physical/chemical behavior in oils and food systems.
• Submit oil samples to central analytical services and interpret results.
• Evaluate and develop methods to characterize oils and fats.

Skills

Lipid science

Lab equipment

Analytical skills

Experimental design

Safety & SOPs

Data reporting

Mechanical aptitude

Education

BS in food science

MS in chemistry or related

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Job description

Lipid Science & Applications / Oil Processing – Scientist I - Decatur, IL

The ADM R&D Lipid Science & Applications Group (LS&A) & Oil Processing Group is seeking candidates for a scientist to work on a variety of projects to support ADM’s Refined Oils business, with emphasis on running and maintaining the pilot plant equipment and laboratory oil processing equipment. This role will also require knowledge in lipids to support basic research, product development, lipid analysis, lipid modification and other areas of lipid product and process support. The candidate will have the responsibility in maintaining laboratory notebooks to effectively capture work done to support the Lipid Science & Applications / Oil Processing group, as well as strong written and verbal skill to report findings of supportive work. The candidate will need to work closely with the ADM LS&A team, Oil Processing team, ADM Refined Oils Sales & Technical Support and ADM Production personnel to support the ADM Oils business.

Job Responsibilities

• Assist in managing the LS&A lab to ensure wet chemistry and analytical equipment is calibrated and maintained appropriately with confidence that analytical information is accurate and reliable.
• Ability to follow approved methods and SOPs to support bench and pilot plant work.
• Ability to review, update and write SOPs and perform job safety assessments (JSA).
• Demonstrate the highest level of safety and consideration for others working in the pilot plant.
• Ability to run benchtop and pilot enzymatic interesterification equipment to support ADM Oils, develop new products and optimize existing products.
• Ability to run bench top and pilot deodorization equipment to support ADM Oils, develop new products and optimize existing products.
• Ability to blend oils from the bench to the pilot area blending tanks (4000 lbs.).
• Ability to run and operate pilot plant scraped surface heat exchanger units.
• Assist in the design of experiments to study the impact of fat & oil modification techniques influence on the physical and chemical behavior of oils and fats in the neat state or in food systems.
• Assist in the design of experiments to evaluate the oxidative stability of oils and fats to better understand the role of antioxidants, storage conditions and processing parameters on the oxidative stability of oils.
• Submit oils samples to central analytical services to support LS&A and Technical Services and interpret the results.
• Evaluate and develop new methods to characterize the physical and chemical properties of oils and fats.
• MS Excel, PowerPoint and Word knowledge, and accurate electronic lab notebook reporting skills to support project work.
• Support R&D in the discovery, development, and scale up oilseeds production and refining processes.
• Support Operations in troubleshooting and optimizing current oilseeds related processes, including working with various feedstocks for manufacture, production, purification, stabilization, and packaging of vegetable oils, fats, and specialty oils to support customers and commercial teams.

Desired Requirements and Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science or Master’s degree within food science, biological science, chemistry or material science curriculums.
• Experience with running and working with food ingredient processing equipment and strong mechanical aptitude.
• Knowledge of oils and fats fundamentals (lipid oxidation, lipid crystallization and function in food systems).
• Knowledge of analytical techniques used to characterize the physical and chemical characteristics of oils and fats.
• Academic or experience in the area of lipid science and applications or food applications.
• Ability to move 420 lb. drums of oil and 2000 lb. totes of oil via electric pallet jack.
• Knowledge of lipid nutrition and nutritional labeling regulation.
• Experimental design and monitoring skills.
• Strong colleague and customer interaction skills.

Excited about this role but don’t think you meet every requirement listed? We encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this role or another one of our openings.

ADM requires the successful completion of a background check.

REF:110455BR

Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Hourly and salaried non-exempt employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours.

If hired, employees will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

The pay range for this position is expected to be between:

$49,000.00 - $91,000.00

Benefits And Perks

• Physical wellness – medical/Rx, dental, vision and on-site wellness center access or gym reimbursement (as applicable).
• Financial wellness – flexible spending accounts, health savings account, 401(k) with matching contributions and cash balance plan, discounted employee stock purchasing program, life insurance, disability, workers’ compensation, legal assistance, identity theft protection.
• Mental and social wellness – Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and Colleague Giving Programs (ADM Cares).

Additional Benefits Include

• Paid time off including paid holidays.
• Adoption assistance and paid maternity and parental leave.
• Tuition assistance.
• Company-sponsored training and development resources, such as LinkedIn Learning, language training and mentoring programs.

Benefits may vary for bargained locations, confirm benefit eligibility with your recruiter.

#IncludingYou

Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging are cornerstones of ADM’s efforts to continue innovating, driving growth, and delivering outstanding performance. We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce and create welcoming, truly inclusive work environments — environments that enable every ADM colleague to feel comfortable on the job, make meaningful contributions to our success, and grow their career. We respect and value the unique backgrounds and experiences that each person can bring to ADM because we know that diversity of perspectives makes us better, together.

We welcome everyone to apply. We are committed to ensuring all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, ethnicity, disability, religion, national origin, language, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

About ADM

At ADM, we unlock the power of nature to provide access to nutrition worldwide. With industry-advancing innovations, a complete portfolio of ingredients and solutions to meet any taste, and a commitment to sustainability, we give customers an edge in solving the nutritional challenges of today and tomorrow. We’re a global leader in human and animal nutrition and the world’s premier agricultural origination and processing company. Our breadth, depth, insights, facilities and logistical expertise give us unparalleled capabilities to meet needs for food, beverages, health and wellness, and more. From the seed of the idea to the outcome of the solution, we enrich the quality of life the world over. Learn more at www.adm.com.

Req/Job ID

110455BR