Scientist Microbiology

At Heineken, fermentation and microbiology are at our core, in the production of beer and other beverages. We continue to innovate in this area by exploring new fermentation processes, and creating new beverage categories anchored in fermentation. We’re looking for a Scientist Microbiology to join our R&D team. Your expertise will be key in shaping the future of beverage fermentation and consumer-driven innovations. In addition, your expertise will aid in safeguarding the quality of our products, considering microbial hygiene in a beverage production environment.

What You’ll Do

As a Scientist Microbiology, you’ll be part of the R&D Innovation team and work with colleagues globally (commerce, breweries, and the R&D Hubs in Mexico and South Africa), helping to build the future of HEINEKEN’s portfolio. You will develop a vision and shape the competence area of Microbiology, to elevate our knowledge of the field, and develop the expertise of others. You will lead and collaborate in research projects to develop new fermentation processes and products.

Responsibilities

• Lead and co-develop innovative fermentation research projects that support Heineken’s global portfolio development.
• Implement experimental approaches and fast iterations to fuel consumer-focused innovations.
• Collaborate with global teams to ensure seamless integration of new technologies and processes.
• Shape vision and ambition for the Microbiology competence area.
• Build and maintain strong internal and external networks to share knowledge and drive breakthroughs.
• Provide microbial hygiene and diagnostics expertise, in supporting production locations worldwide, to maintain product and process integrity in our breweries and cideries.

The Team

At our R&D department, we passionately develop knowledge and technology to innovate towards new products and processes and grow the HEINEKEN business. You will join a cross‑disciplinary, multicultural R&D team, working in an agile matrix organization. You will collaborate with colleagues from Marketing, Consumer & Market Insights, Procurement, Finance, Production, Quality and Supply Chain, as well as suppliers and research institutes across the globe.

Who You Are

To be successful in this role, we’re looking for someone with:

• A PhD or equivalent in Bacterial Food Microbiology, Bacteriology, Biotechnology or a related field.
• Ability to shape the competence area of Microbiology, combining vision, creative thinking and creating the framework to build and spread new knowledge.
• Demonstrated experience in applied R&D, preferably in Microbiology, Fermentation, Food production hygiene, or related fields.
• Passion for experimenting and applying new technologies to drive innovation.
• Expertise in data interpretation, with the ability to translate insights into actionable business recommendations.
• Ability to bring across your knowledge of the field to experts and non-experts, and to elevate the knowledge of others.
• Strong interpersonal skills to work together in flexible teams, with diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Drive to build strong, collaborative networks internally and externally to accelerate breakthroughs.

What’s in it for you

• Work in a brand new, state-of-the-art R&D centre.
• Enjoy 20 vacation days per year, plus a flexible budget to add 10 extra days.
• Generous parental leave for both parents.
• Enjoy the benefits of an NS Business Card or receive €0.23 per kilometer for commuting up to 50 kilometers one way.
• A strong pension plan: at HEINEKEN, we contribute 2/3 of your pension, so you can build a secure future while doing meaningful work.
• Grow with us: we offer ample opportunities for you to learn, grow, and explore new career paths, both locally and globally.

Please note: for this role we can only consider candidates who already have the right to work in the Netherlands, as visa sponsorship is not possible.