Principal Research Scientist

Principal Research Scientist Growing food manufacturer is hiring for a Principal Research Scientist. The Principal Research Scientist will serve as the internal primary scientific resource on probiotics, applied formulation and analytical testing development within the R&D team, ensuring that prototype development, commercialization and related product analytical release is grounded in scientific rigor and regulatory compliance. Working closely with the R&D Senior Manager and cross‑functional partners, this role operates at the critical interface of analytical protocol development, product commercialization, and quality compliance across snack, confectionery, and nutraceutical applications. And this is how you’ll do it. Probiotics Science & Applied Formulation Serve as the in‑house subject matter expert on probiotic strains, viability, stability, and functionality across diverse food matrices including snacks, confectionery, and nutraceutical formats. Evaluate the impact of food processing parameters (heat, moisture, water activity, pH) on probiotic viability and develop mitigation strategies. Maintain awareness of the evolving scientific and regulatory landscape for probiotics in food and nutraceutical applications globally. Analytical Method Development & Compliance Develop, validate, and standardize analytical methods for probiotic enumeration, identity confirmation, and stability assessment (e.g., plate count, flow cytometry). Research and develop fit‑for‑purpose analytical methods for a broad range of active ingredients applied in snack, confectionery, and nutraceutical formulations, including vitamins and minerals, omega fatty acids and lipid‑based actives, prebiotics and dietary fiber, and botanical extracts and herbal actives. Establish method parameters appropriate to each active ingredient matrix and product format. Ensure all analytical methods comply with industry standards and regulatory requirements (e.g., ISO, USP, AOAC, Codex Alimentarius). Maintain a structured method library and ensure version control, documentation integrity, and accessibility for the broader R&D team. Provide expert oversight on analytical data quality, non‑conformance investigations, and corrective action recommendations. External Lab & Supplier Partnership Identify, qualify, and manage relationships with external certified laboratories for method transfer, validation studies, third‑party testing and auditing. Conduct and lead technical audits of external laboratories to assess scientific capability, data integrity, and compliance standards. Establish clear technical briefs and acceptance criteria for outsourced analytical work. Partner with product development and manufacturing teams to translate lab scale probiotic‑added formulations into commercially viable, scalable processes. Provide scientific input during scale‑up trials, identifying and resolving technical risks related to probiotic viability and product stability. Deliver clear, evidence‑based scientific reports and presentations to manufacturing and operations stakeholders. Support regulatory submissions and product claim substantiation with robust scientific documentation. Operational Excellence Oversee R&D lab operations including instrument qualification, method transfers, and quality system compliance (GMP/GLP as applicable). Manage project timelines, resource allocation, and prioritization across multiple concurrent work streams. Drive continuous improvement in data integrity, reporting accuracy, and turnaround time. Team Knowledge & Scientific Mentorship Act as a technical mentor across the R&D team, identifying knowledge gaps and proactively guiding scientists toward appropriate resources, methodologies, and best practices. Develop and maintain accessible internal knowledge tools to enable team members to build competency independently. Facilitate internal knowledge‑sharing sessions, scientific reviews, and technical workshops to build a culture of continuous learning. Coach team members on scientific communication, including the preparation of technical reports, SOPs, and cross‑functional presentations. Experience and Skills PhD degree in Microbiology, Food Science, Biochemistry, or a closely related discipline. 5+ years of hands‑on industry experience in probiotic research, fermentation science, or applied microbiology within the food, nutraceutical, or related industry. Deep technical expertise in probiotic strain understanding, stability testing, enumeration methods (both CFU method & flow cytometry), and encapsulation technologies. Proven experience in analytical method development, validation, and compliance within a regulated or semi‑regulated environment. Demonstrated experience working with external laboratories, including technical auditing and method transfer. Strong ability to communicate complex scientific concepts clearly to non‑scientific stakeholders. Salary range is $140k - $155k base, bonus and benefits. Role will be on‑site in Passaic County, NJ. #J-18808-Ljbffr LDK Talent Solutions