Senior Scientist, Arla Foods Ingredients Innovation Center - Nr. Vium

Are you an experienced scientist eager to turn science into solutions with commercial impact? Are you motivated by scientific exploration and by applying insights to transform early ideas into robust development paths for nutritional ingredients? Then we have an exceptional opportunity for you.

Arla Foods Ingredients (AFI) is an independent company within the Arla Foods Group and a global leader in milk- and whey-based ingredients across categories that include bakery, beverages, dairy, infant, medical and sports nutrition. Together with our customers, research partners and others, we discover and deliver ingredients and products that can advance lifelong nutrition for the benefit of consumers around the world. Our dedicated team of scientists plays a pivotal role in developing innovative ingredients.

You can read more about working in Arla Foods Ingredients here: Job & Career | Arla Foods Ingredients

How you will make an impact 

Your new workplace will be the Arla Foods Ingredients Innovation Centre (AFIIC) in Nr. Vium, with the opportunity to work from home 1 or 2 days a week. You will join a strong R&D environment with around 90 skilled and dedicated scientists, technicians, and specialists with extensive expertise in protein science, fractionation, process technology, enzyme application, and project management.

As a Senior Scientist in the Product Exploration team, you will play a central role in progressing early product ideas and shaping technical direction in the earliest phases of innovation. Operating at the interface of science, technology and business, you will contribute with scientific insight to support and guide development and project portfolio decisions. Your responsibilities will include:

• Progress early-stage product ideas from hypotheses to proof of concept and first prototypes


• Design, execute and interpret laboratory and pilot-scale trials in close collaboration with technicians and operators


• Translate scientific understanding into product development plans and data-driven feasibility evaluations


• Collaborate across R&D, application, nutrition science and commercial functions to generate and mature new product ideas


• Communicate scientific insights, risks and recommendations to support project and portfolio decisions

What will make you successful 

You have a strong scientific background and several years of experience from an industrial innovation or development environment. Experience with developing and producing whey‑ or milk‑based ingredients is an advantage.

You hold an MSc or PhD in biochemistry, molecular biology, engineering, dairy science, food science or a related life‑science discipline. Preference will be given to candidates with a PhD.

In addition, you bring:

• Extensive experience with protein chemistry including protein characterization and purification


• Solid understanding of process technology and hands-on experience with pilot-scale processing, such as membrane filtration, chromatography, or related separation technologies


• Working knowledge of milk proteins, lipids, minerals, and their unique characteristics


• Previous experience with development of milk- or whey-ingredients and understanding of related applications is desirable


• Experience participating in and contributing to cross-functional projects; project management experience is an advantage

As a person, you are comfortable working early in the innovation funnel, where not all answers are known. You bring curiosity and the ability to navigate this ambiguity. You balance independence with active collaboration to move ideas forward. You enjoy connecting insights across disciplines and translating scientific complexity into clear, actionable development directions. You are a strong communicator, confident in engaging colleagues across both technical and commercial functions.

What do we offer? 

At Arla Foods Ingredients, we combine a strong drive for progress with deep scientific expertise in food products and production technology, and a strong commitment to sustainability. This allows us to develop innovative milk‑ and whey‑based ingredients that deliver nutritional and functional value to customers worldwide. You will join a team where collaboration, trust and shared curiosity bring us together and fuel our creativity and our drive for product development.

Would you like to join us? 

If you want to discover and deliver powerful nutrition with us, seize this exciting opportunity. Please apply as soon as possible as we will process applications on a continuous basis and close the recruitment once the right candidate is found.  

For additional information, please call Senior R&D Manager, Camilla Lund Nikolajsen at +45 9131 8024

Shape the Future of Dairy

Arla is a global leader in the dairy industry, committed to enabling good food choices that make life better, providing people with natural, sustainable nourishment, while taking care at every step to ensure Arla is a choice they can feel good about. If you are looking to shape the future with an ambitious global cooperative that truly cares about your growth, where everyone feels valued and empowered, and collaboration is the core of culture, Arla is a choice you can feel good about.

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