Principal Scientist

About Kerry

About the role

We are seeking an exceptional Principal Scientist to join our high-performing Enzyme Applications Team in Naas. This is a highly influential role with the opportunity to drive application excellence across our existing enzyme portfolio while leading breakthrough innovation that will shape future growth across multiple end-use markets.

As a scientific leader within Kerry's biotechnology and innovation network, you will play a pivotal role in translating enzyme science into differentiated customer solutions. Working at the intersection of enzyme technology, nutrition, food science, and commercial impact, you will help unlock new opportunities, enhance customer value, and accelerate the development of next-generation enzyme applications for global markets.

A key focus of this role will be maximizing the value and performance of our established protease portfolio across diverse end-use markets, while identifying and evaluating new application spaces where proteases can deliver meaningful differentiation. Beyond proteases, you will contribute to innovation across a broader range of enzyme classes and adjacent technologies, helping expand the reach and impact of Kerry's enzyme platform.

In this role, you will lead the design, execution, and interpretation of complex experimental programs, applying deep scientific expertise to optimize enzyme performance, validate application benefits, and deliver robust, customer-ready solutions. Your work will directly influence new product development, application strategy, and portfolio growth.

This is an exciting opportunity for a scientist who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and is passionate about transforming cutting-edge enzyme science into commercially successful solutions. You will work closely with multidisciplinary teams across R&D, commercial, regulatory, and innovation functions, helping define how future enzyme technologies are brought to life for customers around the world.

Key responsibilities

• Working closely with Product Line Management, lead and support the development and delivery of next‑generation enzyme technologies to market, while guiding optimization of the existing portfolio to ensure maximum value for customers.


• Identify and prioritize opportunities to develop new technologies for multiple EUMs, that capitalize on the strengths of our protease portfolio


• Generate and oversee analytical data packages that substantiate the technical value proposition of current and future technologies, including the development of new analytical techniques to support where relevant


• Lead the design, screening, and optimization of enzyme systems through hands‑on characterization, activity and stability assessment, formulation development, functionality evaluation in application, and determination of mode of action and kinetic properties


• Lead analysis of complex datasets, interpret experimental results, and deliver clear, evidence‑based technical reports and presentations to internal and external stakeholders


• Translate scientific insights into practical, scalable solutions for customers and industry partners, ensuring alignment with broader portfolio strategy.


• Collaborate closely with cross‑functional experts in Product Line Management, R&D, IP, Regulatory, Quality, and Commercial teams to deliver science‑backed, customer‑focused enzyme solutions.

Qualifications and skills

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Biotechnology, Food Science or related field. PhD preferable but not essential


• Previous experience in R&D within the Biotechnology or Food Science Industry highly preferrable


• A genuine curiosity and passion for biotechnology, with a drive to shape the future of innovation in the food, feed and beverage industry. 


• Experience in enzyme characterisation, including the development, optimization, and interpretation of enzyme assays and enzyme analytical methodologies. Experience with Protease enzymes and protease enzyme application is highly desirable.


• An strong understanding of enzyme functionality and the transformative impact enzymes bring to food, beverage and feed industrial applications & production processes


• Ability to analyse complex datasets, extract meaningful insights, and translate them into clear, actionable recommendations for stakeholders


• Comfortable working at speed across multiple projects, coordinating stakeholders, and ensuring timely, high‑quality delivery of results


• Laboratory proficiency spanning GLP practices, method validation, and routine use of analytical instrumentation, including spectrophotometry and HPLC.