Principal Scientist

Incredible innovations are enabled through technology and science. We are seeking a passionate scientist to join our Technology Solutions Global R&D team as Principal Scientist. Join an incredible, passionate and diverse team that helps each other learn, grow and develop: just how we like it! As a Principal Scientist you will be asked to: 1) Provide strategic guidance, by driving, consulting on and executing modelling work on our various processes and products for global R&D and Operations. Such models will typically be based on an understanding of the underlying physics or chemistry (“white-box” modelling), but may need to use statistical approaches (“black-box” models) for some parts. You will be the principal scientist, so the methods and approaches for this are your own to choose. 2) Be JDE’s representative to the external scientific community; in which capacity you will maintain and grow links with research institutes, universities and professional bodies, to bring new capabilities and insights back into JDE. For this, we don’t just need you to be a knowledgeable professional but also strongly rely on your interpersonal skills as well as your drive for success. Know that you’ll have a crucial role in creating and protecting the impact we look for in our value chain. With this said, we like you to take responsibility over the following tasks:

• Scientific and computer-modelling role
  • Work in a range of projects as a scientist and computer modeler, where your unique expertise is needed to ensure efficient process, ingredient, pack and machine development. Also act as physical and/or chemical modelling consultant for R&D (and when applicable for Operations) and provide scientific sense-checking in the early phases of projects. As background: coffee itself and its associated processing covers a wide range of scientific disciplines, for example thermal & material diffusion & advection, phase changes such as crystallisation & sublimation, rheology, fluid flows, polymer & colloid science, physics of interfaces, foam stability/ripening, reaction kinetics, acid/base equilibria, granular flows, fracture, and so forth. The Principal Scientist will need familiarity with as many of these areas as possible, to provide input & guidance on project content.
• Mentoring role
  • You will not have direct line management duties, so effectiveness requires guiding other associates and teams in their scientific experiments, data analysis and in developing their own models. In that sense the relationship to other associates may have something of the quality of a “master and apprentices”. Guidance and mentoring extends to interns, PhD and EngD students.
• Internal role-model and external ambassador
  • Champion and exemplify scientific rigour & discipline within R&D. Be a peer reviewer for internal technical reports. Coordinate internal knowledge-sharing sessions, and own & manage the external publication clearance process.
  • Represent JDE in the scientific and professional community at large. This may include acting as board member for the global association for science and information on coffee (“ASIC”), and other professional bodies or academic boards as appropriate to the role.

Requirements

We are looking for a scientist with broad experience across disciplines, the ability to link scientific questions to key business priorities, and with a drive for excellence. Someone that holds themselves accountable and doesn’t shy away from responsibility. Given the nature of the role we feel it's important for you to have a certain level of qualifications (masters or PhD in physics or chemistry), experience as a research scientist (10 years), and a proven track record of delivery in (preferably) a fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) company (7 years in R&D and/or operations); as well as a solid understanding of your own added value. We thrive in diverse teams and look for people that appreciate that as much as we do. We can give you a list of “must haves,” however that’s not how we view your candidacy. We do, of course, take into consideration how much experience you have with summarizing complex information to communicate to stakeholders and experience in interacting with research institutes and mentoring/coaching associates; but ultimately, we look at the bigger picture. But to give you a bit of guidance as to what we feel is needed in this role, we’ll share our “important to have” list with you:

• Autonomous and self-motivated
• Cooperative, with a supportive attitude to co-workers
• Ability to find and communicate simplicity in complex situations
• Desire to mentor and develop others