Ready to join a team redefining ruminant innovation through advanced biotechnology and next-generation enzyme solutions?
IFF is a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients, and bioscience solutions. Our innovations power everyday products through sustainable, cutting-edge science.
At our Leiden site—home to 37 scientists from 12 nationalities—we have a proud history rooted in the early days of modern biotechnology. Today, we continue to lead the industry in sustainable bio-solutions.
The team engineers microbial cell factories to produce advanced enzymes for food & beverage, home & personal care, animal nutrition, grain processing, biopolymers. We drive innovation from idea to production, using generative AI, advanced biomolecular engineering, high-throughput screening, and full-scale testing at IFF manufacturing plants.
IFF brings a biotechnology-driven approach to the ruminant sector. We address productivity and sustainability challenges by combining enzyme innovation, microbial solutions, and rumen-focused application science. Integration of enzymology, microbiology, and field-oriented research differentiates IFF as a true biotech innovator, offering producers science-grounded, sustainability-aligned solutions.
We are looking for an innovative scientist to join our Leiden R&D team that can link biochemical insight with practical application to advance the sustainability of ruminant nutrition. The successful candidate is a person that thrives in multidisciplinary environments, can independently shape research directions and is able to develop models and assays reflecting in-animal function. Strong scientific discipline, creativity, communication skills, and a passion for technologies that improve performance and reduce emissions are essential to support IFF’s ambition to redefine ruminant innovation.
This role is based out of our Leiden R&D center in an onsite capacity.
Where You’ll Make a Difference
Be an integral part of a diverse global team of scientists and application specialists who together will charter an R&D project to develop and implement solutions for reduction of emissions from ruminants.
Work directly on the application of solutions, primarily enzyme based, to reduce emissions from ruminants.
Establish in vitro lab models, which reflect the functionality in the animal on a molecular level.
Establish and perform enzyme assays.
Biochemical characterization of new enzyme candidates including their stability and performance under ruminal conditions.
Read literature and identify new opportunities for developing novel IFF solutions for the ruminant industry with a sustainability and emission reduction focus.
Work within collaborative teams in an industrial R&D environment that values creativity and ingenuity.
Independently establish and manage internal and external collaborations including with Contract Research Organizations and academic partners, with respect for professional and cultural differences.
What Makes You the Right Fit
Ph.D. in biochemistry or related subject with 3–6-year research experience, preferably in an industry research lab.
Motivated to play a role in developing new solutions to improve the sustainability of ruminant livestock production including reduction of methane emissions
Demonstrated innovative and creative skills in the way to achieve a set goal and shows creative and original thinking in developing innovative solutions for the ruminant livestock industry
Methodical, systematic, and accurate working style with strong attention to detail and the ability to meet deadlines involving complex or new issues.
Strong communication skills at all levels, both internally and externally, with good scientific writing, reporting, and presentation capabilities.
Team player who is self-motivated, capable of working under pressure, and effective in a multi-cultural global environment.
Ability to link customer value to product specifications or product-supporting services to be developed.
Working-level understanding of statistics to support research activities.
Strong passion for bench work and demonstrated ability to initiate and develop new research areas.
How Would You Stand Out
Preferably experience with ruminants and rumen microbiology.
Understanding of oxidative enzyme reactions, methane mitigation, enzyme development or a related scientific field would be advantageous.
Why Choose Us
Join a dynamic, innovative, and multicultural team of highly skilled scientists
Grow professionally and build your career in biotechnology, in an energetic, inclusive, and multicultural environment.
Competitive salary and attractive compensation and benefits, such as:
Individual Choice Budget of 8% of the annual base salary, employee choice to be paid in monthly instalments or to exchange for additional time off up to 15 extra days per year
25 vacation days and 3 bridge days, of which 2 of them are determined by the employer
Annual Incentive Plan.
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
