Flavour Scientist

Unilever: Flavour Scientist Opportunity

ABOUT UNILEVER

With 3.4 billion people in over 190 countries using our products every day, Unilever is a business that makes a real impact on the world. Work on brands that are loved and improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We are driven by our purpose: to make sustainable living commonplace, and it is our belief that doing business the right way drives superior performance. At the heart of what we do is our people – we believe that when our people work with purpose, we will create a better business and a better world.

At Unilever, your career will be a unique journey, grounded in our inclusive, collaborative, and flexible working environment. We don’t believe in the ‘one size fits all’ approach and instead we will equip you with the tools you need to shape your own future.

We want our business to flourish, and we know that our success depends on others flourishing around us. That's why our purpose is to make sustainable living commonplace, and why sustainable, long-term growth is at the heart of our business model.

ABOUT FOODS R&D

Foods is the largest Business Group (BG) in Unilever with global multibillion-dollar brands such as Knorr and Hellman’s and many strong regional and local brands. Foods BG’s vision is to be a Force for Good in Foods. Foods R&D develops and delivers unmissably superior products and solutions that are Boldly Healthier for People and Planet, rooted in differentiated science and technology. With our global innovation center Hive, in the heart of the Silicon Valley of Food, in Wageningen, The Netherlands, and our network of R&D teams across the world, we work closely with many internal and external partners to create market-winning innovations. Increasingly, Digital and Data are the currency of how we work in R&D, from discovery through product development and deployment. New developments in AI and Data Science will be the crucial differentiator for us to win.

JOB PURPOSE

Unilever is the place where you can bring your purpose to life with the work that you do – creating a better business and a better world. If you love flavors, sensory science, have a hands-on attitude and are curious to understand their behavior and engineering solutions, then this role is just for you!

The Science & Technology team at the Global Foods Innovation Center, Wageningen is looking for a new Flavour Scientist to join their team. This role is based in a team that is focused on delivering innovative flavour solutions across different food product segments. The overall aim of the team is to convert ideas into technologies and scientific understanding, which, in collaboration with Global Innovation and Regional Design teams, will need to be brought to market implementation. The Flavour Scientist is responsible for generating new insights, understanding and solutions in topics of Flavour-Matrix Interaction Taste, Flavour & Sensory Perception, Oral Sensing and Flavour Modulation. They will use a combination of literature and experimental research to generate the above. Over time, the Flavour Scientist is expected to become the key point of contact on the above topics within the team. The Flavour Scientist will work closely with other Flavour Scientists within the team. The Flavour Scientist is accountable for study design and execution of experiments in kitchen, laboratory along with necessary analytical and sensory characterization (internally & externally). They will report in an electronic lab journal, team presentations and contribute to formal research reports. The Flavour Scientist will also be involved in writing formal research study proposals for internally/externally funded research projects.

WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE?

• Develop internal knowledge and capabilities on topics related to Flavour-Matrix Interaction, Taste, Flavour & Sensory Perception, Oral Sensing and Flavour Modulation.
• Understand the state of the art on the above and related topics and generate research study ideas that can solve taste/flavour/sensory challenges present across Unilever Foods portfolio ranging from Bouillons to Dressings
• Work in collaboration in Global Innovation and where relevant Regional Design teams to understand challenges and provide scientifically backed solutions to their taste/flavour/sensory challenges
• Set up experiments in kitchen and laboratory to generate model systems, recipes, product formulations to understand/prove phenomena
• Setup and manage sensory evaluation through internal and external capabilities
• Where relevant, leverage flavour composition analysis methods such as GC-MS, LC-MS, NMR and alike to gain further understanding.
• Leverage existing and forge new collaboration to expand measurement/analytical techniques to quantitate/measure key components or elements linked to flavour/taste - sensing/perception
• Work according to HACCP standards.
• Coherently report, interpret and discuss experimental series and advise follow up
• Tracking and reporting of processing conditions and results.
• Fully operational (or trained to be) in use of Unilever data management systems for ingredient and product management as Electronic Lab Notebook, LIMS Product Lifecycle Management, etc.

EXPERIENCES & QUALIFICATIONS

• PhD in Food Science & Technology / Flavor Science / Sensory Science
• At least 4 to 6 years of academic research experience (can include PhD experience)
• 0 to 3 years working experience in an industrial R&D environment with focus on Foods & Beverages
• Strong knowledge and experimental experience related to at least one or more of the following topics – Flavour-Matrix Interaction, Taste, Flavor & Sensory Perception, Oral Sensing and Flavour Modulation.
• Has prior knowledge and experience with sensory principles, tasting, measurement/analytical techniques of key elements linked to flavour tasting/sensing/perception (preferred - Nose-space analysis, PTR-MS) and flavour compositional analytical techniques (LC-MS, GC-MS, NMR)
• Has experience working in food-grade lab environments
• Proven scientific way of thinking and handling (thinks before doing, stepwise and logic approach of problem-solving).
• Experienced in using Microsoft Tools (Word, Outlook, Excel, PPT, TEAMS) and Statistical Software (e.g. JMP).
• Team player who likes to work in multi-disciplinary teams.
• Hands-on attitude and strong desire to learn new skills.
• The position is in an environment where tasting is essential. Candidates with good tasting ability without dietary restrictions (e.g., due to food allergies) are preferred.

WHAT IS IN IT FOR YOU?

• Attractive total remuneration package: excellent company pension, bonus, share scheme.
• Flexible cross-disciplinary career opportunities and a wealth of training opportunities & wellbeing resources whenever and wherever.
• Plenty of company-paid holidays to further ensure your work-life balance is maintained.
• We encourage an inclusive culture, which comes to life with interchangeable public holidays, paid paternity leave of 6 weeks and our transgender policy.
• Under the Hybrid Working principles, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 40%-60% in the office or at customers, suppliers or partners to connect and collaborate. For the time you work from home, we will ensure you are well equipped. When you are at the office, you can enjoy our tasty canteen with prepped food and own products.
• Informal culture and being the first one trying our new products.
• My Fitness Plan (reduction on your Fitness Subscription).
• Homework allowance
• Company laptop and mobile phone
• Green Mobility Policy.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Unilever is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, disability, age, parenthood, pregnancy or any other basis protected by applicable law, and will not be discriminated against.

By highlighting the gender diversity at the workplace, Unilever encourages women equally men to apply. If you look for a job after a long career break or after any type of leave, do not hesitate to apply.