Can you unlock the secrets of Maillard reactions to create bold, authentic flavors? Would you like to make a real impact on how the world experiences taste?
Come join us, International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF) is a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients, and health and biosciences. We deliver sustainable innovations that elevate everyday products.
This opportunity sits within our Taste business unit where we craft unique, technology-enabled flavor designs that define the identity of food and beverage brands, shape trends in flavor building and fuel market success.
We’re looking for a Maillard Reaction Scientist to join our Taste R&D team in Tilburg. The ideal candidate will bring 10–15 years of experience in the flavor industry as a reaction chemist, with deep expertise in Maillard chemistry, food chemistry, and organic chemistry. This role is focused on developing novel savory and meat-like flavor systems through advanced reaction chemistry, strengthening our capabilities in this area.
The position requires strong knowledge of Maillard pathways, organic chemistry, and the behavior of flavor compounds in complex food matrices, supporting our mission to drive innovation in taste through scientific excellence.
Where You’ll Make a Difference
Lead advanced research projects focused on Maillard reaction pathways to create novel savory and meat-like flavor systems.
Design and run experiments to test flavor performance, sensory impact, and stability in diverse food applications.
Develop and optimize reaction systems that deliver bold, authentic taste experiences.
Analyze complex data using tools like GC, GC-MS, LC-MS, and SYFT to guide flavor development.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams — including creation, applications, analytical, and regulatory — to turn scientific insights into consumer-ready solutions.
Contribute to a culture of continuous learning by offering guidance and sharing knowledge with peers and early-career scientists.
Stay ahead of industry trends and scientific advancements to fuel innovation.
Represent the company at conferences and with external partners, showcasing your expertise.
What Makes You the Right Fit
10–15 years of hands-on experience in reaction flavor chemistry, with a strong focus on Maillard reactions.
M.Sc. or Ph.D. in Food Chemistry, Flavor Science, Organic Chemistry, or a related field.
Proven ability to innovate and solve complex problems in applied flavor science.
Excellent communication skills and a collaborative mindset.
How Would You Stand Out?
Experience in savory flavor development.
Familiarity with flavor delivery systems, including encapsulation and controlled release.
Expertise in enzymatic and / or microbial bioconversions for flavor generation.
Knowledge of flavor regulations and compliance.
Why Join Us?
At IFF, we combine science and creativity to deliver solutions that make a difference. We offer:
Be part of a mission-driven culture where your work truly makes a difference.
Opportunity to lead strategic initiatives with global impact.
Strong focus on employee well-being and engagement.
Enjoy competitive compensation and benefits designed to support your well-being.
We are a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition, offering our customers a broader range of natural solutions and accelerating our growth strategy. At IFF, we believe that your uniqueness unleashes our potential. We value the diverse mosaic of the ethnicity, national origin, race, age, sex, or veteran status. We strive for an inclusive workplace that allows each of our colleagues to bring their authentic self to work regardless of their religion, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation, or disability.
Visit IFF.com/careers/workplace-diversity-and-inclusion to learn more
