Lead Polymer Chemist

23h23 hours ago

IFF

Wilmington, US · Full-time · $150,000 – $210,000

About this role

IFF is a world-class science company working to bring creative solutions to health, consumer, and industrial markets. IFF’s Health and Biosciences division seeks talented scientists to develop sustainable solutions across Probiotics, HMO, Fibers, Cultures, Enzymes, and Biopolymers for Household & Personal Care, Animal Nutrition, Human Nutrition, and Biofuels.

The Lead Polymer Chemist role in the Biological and Interfacial Sciences team synthesizes new materials, develops processes, and explores applications in home and personal care. This lab-based position at the Experimental Station in Wilmington, Delaware, drives enzymatically derived biopolymers from discovery to scale-up.

Work closely with business, regulatory scientists, biochemists, and chemical engineers in multi-functional teams. Partner with process engineers for global manufacturing scale-up. Lead by example and mentor scientists while maintaining state-of-the-art knowledge in biomaterials.

Translate business needs into research strategies, execute application studies for structure-property relationships, and engage stakeholders for commercial success. Lead ideation, patent drafting, IP strategy, and occasional customer interactions. Prepare technical reports, presentations, and regulatory documents.

IFF strives for an inclusive workplace valuing diverse ethnicity, national origin, race, age, sex, veteran status, religion, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation, and disability.

Requirements

Expertise in polymer synthesis and functionalization
Knowledge of enzymatically derived biopolymers and biocatalysts
Experience developing processes for scale-up to manufacturing
Proficiency in application studies for home and personal care products
Strong understanding of structure-property relationships in biomaterials
State-of-the-art knowledge in biomaterials
Project management skills for defining scope, impact, and deliverables
Ability to collaborate in multi-disciplinary teams with biochemists and engineers

Responsibilities

Design, initiate and execute polymer synthesis and functionalization for new product development projects
Partner with biochemists, molecular biologists, engineers, and application experts to discover novel biopolymer biocatalysts
Work closely with process and production engineers to scale-up new products at global manufacturing sites
Translate business needs into research strategies and develop fundamentals to bring new chemistry from concept to commercial success
Execute application studies to develop structure-property relationships in home care, personal care, and food applications
Lead and independently drive R&D projects in multi-functional research teams and mentor scientists
Prepare data summaries, technical reports, presentations, protocols, and regulatory documents
Lead ideation, patent application drafting, and intellectual property strategy development

Benefits

Inclusive workplace valuing diverse ethnicity, national origin, race, age, sex, and veteran status
Environment allowing authentic self regardless of religion, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation, or disability
Global leader offering broader range of natural solutions in taste, scent, and nutrition