Remote Sustainability & Packaging Innovation Analyst

RTI International; Durham (NC); Hybrid; USD 76,000 - 93,000; Full time

Job summary

RTI International in Research Triangle Park, NC, is seeking an Innovation Analyst focused on food and consumer-packaged goods to conduct rigorous research on sustainability trends, circular economy, and technology opportunities.

You will lead horizon-scanning, evaluate emerging technologies across academia, startups, and industry, and translate findings into actionable recommendations for clients across commercial, government, and NGO sectors.

Qualifications

• 1–2 years of experience related to sustainability, circular economy, or packaging.
• Bachelor's degree in science or engineering with interdisciplinary R&D experience.
• Business acumen and familiarity with innovation management, technology transfer/commercialization, or consulting.
• Strong scientific communication for technical and non-technical audiences; strong analytical and time-management skills.
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to work beyond your core field; comfort learning new scientific or technical domains quickly.
• Team-centric mindset and strong interpersonal skills; ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Detail-oriented, self-directed, and comfortable working both independently and collaboratively.
• Proficiency with MS Office (PowerPoint, Excel, Word) and collaboration tools (e.g., Teams); a desire to learn and drive responsible use of artificial intelligence technologies in scientific research.

Responsibilities

• Conduct primary and secondary research on market, technology, regulatory, and sustainability trends in CPG and food.
• Lead and support foresight and horizon-scanning activities; develop scenarios to inform strategy.
• Scout and assess emerging technologies, partners, and business models across academia, startups, and industry; evaluate feasibility, scalability, and potential impact.
• Deliver research that supports our clients’ circular economy initiatives (e.g., packaging, materials recovery, waste valorization, supply chain resilience) and advise on pathways from lab to market for emerging technologies.
• Synthesize complex information into clear, compelling deliverables (reports, presentations, workshops) for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Leverage artificial intelligence tools responsibly, balancing adoption of leading-edge tools with a high bar for scientific rigor, quality, and validation of findings by human experts.
• Collaborate with cross-functional, international teams; manage tasks, timelines, and client communications to deliver high-quality work on time.
• Facilitate meetings and present interim and final findings to clients and stakeholders.
• Contribute to a positive, inclusive team culture while upholding RTI’s mission and values.

Skills

Sustainability experience

Circular economy

Packaging knowledge

Innovation management

Technology transfer

Consulting

Scientific communication

Analytical skills

Time management

Adaptability

Teamwork

Interpersonal skills

Attention to detail

Self-directed

AI in research

Education

Bachelor's degree in science or engineering

Tools

MS Office

Microsoft Teams

Job description

RTI International in Research Triangle Park, NC, is seeking an Innovation Analyst focused on food and consumer-packaged goods to conduct rigorous research on sustainability trends, circular economy, and technology opportunities.

You will lead horizon-scanning, evaluate emerging technologies across academia, startups, and industry, and translate findings into actionable recommendations for clients across commercial, government, and NGO sectors.