Senior Research Associate

You will join the Food & Beverage Biosolutions Technical Service team, a collaborative group of scientists and research associates supporting North American food and beverage customers. The team works hands‐on in the lab to demonstrate and optimize enzymatic and microbial solutions for food products and processes, partnering closely with customers to deliver sustainable, biology‐based innovations that support Novonesis’ purpose of Bettering our World with Biology.

What You’ll Do:

• Independently plan and execute laboratory experiments to demonstrate enzymatic performance in food products and processes, generating high‐quality data to support customer applications.
• Provide hands‐on technical support to North American customers by analyzing samples, interpreting results, and developing application insights that enable implementation of enzymatic solutions.
• Perform enzymatic activity and food/ingredient analyses using spectrophotometric and chromatographic techniques (e.g., HPLC, LC‐MS, GC‐MS) and clearly document and communicate results.
• Support development and characterization of food and ingredient prototypes, including plant‐based dairy and meat products, functional foods, protein ingredients, baked goods, and fermented beverages.
• Maintain strong laboratory documentation, safety, and GMP practices, contributing to a safe, efficient, and audit‐ready lab environment.
• Drive continuous improvement through optimization of laboratory methods, workflows, and automation.

What You’ll Need to Be Successful:

• AAS, BS, or MS degree in a scientific discipline such as Food Science, Biochemistry, or Chemistry.
• Hands‐on experience in laboratory‐based scientific roles with the ability to independently plan and execute routine and non‐routine experiments.
• Proven experience with analytical method execution and optimization, including strong expertise using HPLC for peptide/protein analysis and interpretation of chromatographic data.
• Working knowledge of GLPs, SOPs, laboratory safety, and GMP practices; strong documentation skills using electronic lab notebooks.
• Excellent organization, time management, and written/verbal communication in English.

Additional Skills & Interests We Value:

• Experience with LC‐MS or GC‐MS (preferred), Waters Empower, food formulation or processing, DOE, wet‐chemical analyzers, or liquid‐handling systems.
• Understanding of plant‐based or fermented food applications.
• Curiosity, accountability, and enthusiasm for hands‐on experimentation.
• Continuous‐improvement mindset, including optimization of methods, workflows, and efficiency.

What We Offer:

At Novonesis, you’ll join a global community driven by science and impact. You will be part of a team that values collaboration, continuous learning, and opportunities to grow your technical and professional capabilities.

Ways of Working:

• This is a full‐time, on‐site position based in Franklinton, NC.
• Regular on‐site presence is required to support collaborative laboratory activities.
• Ability to work in the United States now and in the future without sponsorship.
• Standard business‐hour schedule.
• Occasional travel up to 10%.

Compensation & Benefits:

Expected base salary: $63,000 – $89,500, depending on experience and qualifications.

Benefits you will enjoy:

• 401(k) with up to a 9% company contribution
• Minimum of 3 weeks vacation, 12 holidays, and 2 weeks of Wellness Time
• Health, Dental, Vision & Life insurance
• Healthcare Savings Account (HSA) with employer contribution
• Employee Assistance Program
• Parental leave
• Tuition reimbursement
• All benefits begin on your first day!

Our purpose guides the way:

In Novonesis, we know that solutions rooted in biology can help solve humanity’s biggest challenges. Since we began more than a century ago, this has been our guide. It’s how we’ve gotten so far. And it’s how we’ll impact the future. Now, more than ever, the world needs change. And with biosolutions, the possibilities for transformation are endless. If our purpose resonates with you, we encourage you to apply.

Opportunities for everyone:

We are committed to an inclusive recruitment process and equal opportunity for all applicants. Therefore we ask you to apply without a cover letter or photo and instead include a few sentences in your CV explaining your motivation for applying. We make all employment decisions based on business needs and welcome candidates with a wide range of backgrounds, including ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status.

Explore other openings:

If this position isn’t the right fit, you may still find other opportunities with us. You’re welcome to explore open roles or create a job agent to stay connected with future opportunities.