Principal Scientist

**Principal Scientist**Science & ResearchElgin, IL, US+ Added - 27/02/2026Pay Rate Low: 100000 | Pay Rate High: 120000**Principal Scientist - Food Innovation****Elgin, IL (Onsite)****Industry:** Food Ingredients / Biotechnology**Level:** Senior / Individual Contributor + Leadership**About the Opportunity**We're partnering with an innovative global leader in enzyme-based food solutions to hire a **Principal Scientist** to drive next-generation product innovation. This is a highly visible role blending **hands-on research, commercialization, and strategic leadership** . You'll lead breakthrough product development, collaborate with global teams, and shape the future of food applications through cutting-edge enzyme technology.This role is ideal for a **PhD-level scientist** who thrives at the intersection of **lab work, innovation, and real-world impact** .**What You'll Do**+ Lead **end-to-end development of novel food applications** , from concept through commercialization+ Conduct **hands-on laboratory research (~75%)** , including bench-scale experimentation and analytical testing+ Develop **3+ new product applications annually** to drive market growth and revenue+ Support **intellectual property development** , contributing data for patent filings+ Serve as a **technical expert** for internal teams, customers, and industry events+ Present research at **domestic and international conferences**+ Collaborate cross-functionally with **Sales, Marketing, and global R&D teams**+ Lead **joint innovation projects with strategic customers and research institutions**+ Mentor and develop **junior scientists and laboratory staff**+ Ensure compliance with **GMP, SQF, and food safety standards****Leadership Impact**+ Build and mentor a **high-performing scientific team**+ Guide technical strategy and research direction+ Influence innovation pipelines and long-term R&D priorities+ Support department performance, budgeting, and operational excellence**What We're Looking For****Required:**+ PhD in Food Science, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, or related scientific discipline+ Strong background in **R&D within food, ingredients, or biotech**+ Proven success in **product development and commercialization**+ Experience leading **cross-functional or customer-facing innovation projects****Preferred:**+ Experience with **industrial enzymes or enzyme applications**+ Hands-on experience with **GC, HPLC, or spectrophotometry**+ Patent contributions or IP development experience+ Conference presentations or scientific publicationsINDBH\#LI-ES1We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.