Principal Scientist

Astrix Inc.; Elgin (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Astrix Inc. is seeking an experienced Principal Scientist to lead our Technical Services team. This role focuses heavily on hands-on lab research and enzyme technology development for food applications, with responsibilities spanning product ideation to commercialization.

You will mentor scientists, drive strategic growth, and ensure GMP/SQF compliance while delivering high-impact scientific content to customers and internal stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Food Science, or related field.
• 3–5+ years of progressive R&D experience, preferably in food/biotech enzyme areas.
• Industrial enzyme applications experience is highly preferred.
• Experience with patent filings.
• Strong GMP, SQF, and food safety knowledge.
• Hands-on lab skills with GC, HPLC, and spectrophotometry.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Spend 75% of time on hands-on laboratory research and bench-scale work.
• Lead development of multiple innovative product applications annually.
• Identify new product opportunities via industry research and customer engagement.
• Support patent filings and contribute technical data for promotions.
• Mentor a multidisciplinary team and drive department growth.
• Oversee lab operations, safety, and GMP/SQF compliance.
• Collaborate with global teams and external partners.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Technical presentations

Education

Ph.D. in Chemistry/Biochemistry/Biotechnology/Food Science

Tools

GC

HPLC

Spectrophotometry

Job description

Job Type: Direct Hire
Employment Status: Exempt / Salaried
Salary: $100,000–$120,000 annually, depending on experience
Schedule: Full-Time
Department: Technical Services
Reports To: Technical Services Manager

Position Overview

Our client is seeking an experienced Principal Scientist to join their Technical Services team. This is a highly hands-on R&D leadership role with approximately 75% of the position focused on laboratory research and bench-scale experimentation.

The Principal Scientist will lead innovative product development initiatives, with a particular focus on enzyme applications within the food industry. This individual will identify new product opportunities, develop and optimize enzyme technologies and blends, support commercialization efforts, contribute to patent development, and serve as a technical resource for customers, Sales, and Marketing.

The successful candidate will also oversee and mentor a multidisciplinary team of scientists while helping drive the strategic growth and technical capabilities of the department.

Key Responsibilities

• Spend approximately 75% of the workday conducting hands-on laboratory research and bench-scale experimentation.
• Lead the development of at least three innovative product applications annually, from initial concept through commercialization.
• Identify new product application opportunities through industry research, conferences, market analysis, and customer engagement.
• Support and contribute technical data toward a minimum of two patent applications annually.
• Lead the design and conceptualization phase of new product development initiatives.
• Develop and optimize enzyme technologies and blends for food industry applications.
• Provide scientific data and technical content for promotional materials, webinars, customer presentations, and other business development initiatives.
• Deliver high-level scientific presentations to internal stakeholders, customers, and domestic/international industry conferences.
• Serve as a primary technical resource for Sales and Marketing teams.
• Lead joint R&D projects with key customers and external research partners.
• Establish and maintain relationships with food research institutes, universities, and other external technical organizations.
• Provide technical and analytical support to existing and prospective customers to support business retention and market expansion.
• Collaborate with global R&D teams to share technical knowledge and align research initiatives.
• Oversee laboratory operations, including equipment maintenance, laboratory safety, organization, and implementation of 5S principles.
• Ensure compliance with GMP, SQF, food safety requirements, and the company's quality management system.
• Maintain accurate laboratory notebooks, research documentation, data analysis, and visualizations.
• Identify and immediately *escalate* food safety concerns, quality issues, or deviations through appropriate channels.
• Assist with management of the annual Technical Services team budget.
• Prepare client call reports and monthly progress reports in accordance with departmental requirements.
• Recruit, train, mentor, and develop laboratory personnel.
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide ongoing coaching and professional development for direct reports.
• Help build and maintain a high-performing technical team.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Leadership Responsibilities

This position will provide direct leadership and oversight to a multidisciplinary team of scientists, including assistant and senior-level research personnel.

Responsibilities include:

• Recruiting and onboarding laboratory personnel.
• Training and mentoring team members.
• Setting performance expectations and providing ongoing feedback.
• Conducting performance evaluations.
• Supporting employee development and career growth.
• Managing personnel transitions and compensation-related activities.
• Optimizing departmental resources and overall team performance.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Food Science, or another related scientific discipline.
• 3–5+ years of progressive R&D experience, preferably within the food, biotechnology, enzyme, or related industry.
• Demonstrated experience with industrial enzyme applications, particularly within food-related applications, is highly preferred.
• Proven experience with product development and commercialization.
• Experience contributing to or leading patent filings.
• Experience leading cross-functional R&D projects.
• Previous experience supervising, mentoring, or leading scientific personnel.
• Strong understanding of GMP, SQF, food safety, and quality systems.
• Hands-on laboratory experience with analytical instrumentation such as GC, HPLC, and spectrophotometry is highly preferred.
• Advanced scientific reasoning and analytical problem-solving abilities.
• Strong strategic thinking and ability to solve complex technical challenges.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to interpret complex scientific literature, regulatory standards, and technical reports.
• Ability to prepare compelling technical presentations, reports, and scientific materials.
• Strong presentation skills with the ability to communicate complex scientific concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to balance significant hands-on laboratory responsibilities with strategic, administrative, and leadership duties.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate scientific documentation.
• Ability to work collaboratively with R&D, Sales, Marketing, customers, and external research partners.