Lead Technician

Job title \u2013 Lead Technician\n\nLocation \u2013 Delft, The Netherlands \n\nJoin dsm-firmenich\u2019s Center for Food Innovation and help shape the future of savory and plant-based ingredients. As a Lead Technician in Food Technology, you\u2019ll collaborate with multidisciplinary experts to develop next-generation yeast extracts and other food ingredients supporting our Taste Texture and Health business. If you enjoy hands-on experimentation, turning insights into innovation, and working in a dynamic R\u0026D environment where curiosity and teamwork drive real impact, this opportunity is for you. \n\nYour key responsibilities\n\n * Independently plan, prepare, and execute lab experiments\u2014ranging from enzymatic incubations and extractions to rheological measurements and the preparation of food-grade samples for tasting\u2014using biochemical assays when needed.\n * Design experiments based on technical hypotheses, analyze the resulting data, and engage in meaningful discussions with scientists and fellow lab technicians.\n * Present findings with clarity, draw conclusions, and propose next steps to move the work forward.\n * Embrace automated workflows and explore the potential of AI to enhance experimentation and data analysis where relevant.\n * Manage labs, take ownership of analytical equipment and ensure optimal performance, proper maintenance and troubleshooting when necessary.\n * Prioritize safety in every task, ensuring and adherence to safety protocols, embedding it as a core part of your daily routine.\n\n\n\nWe offer\n\n * A Purpose-Driven Mission \nBe part of an organization where sustainability is more than a goal\u2014it\u2019s embedded in our strategy and daily practices, empowering you to make a real impact on the world around you.\n * Flexibility with Ownership \nThrive in a flexible work environment that encourages you to take ownership, drive accountability, and maintain a healthy work-life balance.\n * A Legacy of Innovation \nJoin a company with a rich history of scientific breakthroughs and a future full of opportunities to co-create with our customers.\n * Room to Grow \nDevelop your potential in a culture that values curiosity and supports continuous personal and professional growth.\n * Well-Being at the Core \nWork in an environment where safety and well-being\u2014both physical and mental\u2014are prioritized and genuinely cared for.\n * A Truly Inclusive Culture \nBelong to a community where everyone is valued and respected, regardless of background, beliefs, or identity. Diversity is not just welcomed, it\u2019s celebrated.\n\n\n\nYou bring\n\n * A BSc or MSc in Food Technology, (Applied) Biochemistry, Biotechnology, or a related Life Sciences field.\n * Hands-on experience with enzymatic incubations, ideally across various substrates such as carbohydrates and proteins.\n * Preferably over 5 years of laboratory experience in Life Sciences, preferably within an R\u0026D or innovation setting. Familiarity with food-grade environments is a plus.\n * A generalist mindset\u2014flexible, adaptable, and ready to contribute across different techniques and project teams.\n * A self-driven, can-do attitude with strong organizational skills, capable of managing multiple projects and shifting priorities with ease.\n * Excellent communication skills in English, both written and verbal, enabling clear collaboration and reporting.\n\n\n\nAbout dsm-firmenich \nAt dsm-firmenich, we don\u2019t just meet expectations \u2013 we go beyond them. Join our global team powered by science, creativity, and a shared purpose: to bring progress to life. \n \nFrom elevating health to making fortified food and sustainable skincare, the impact of your work here will be felt by millions \u2013 every single day. Whether it\u2019s fragrance that helps you focus, alternative meat that\u2019s better for the planet, or reducing sugar without losing flavor, this is where you help shape the future of nutrition, health, and beauty for everyone, everywhere.\n\nAnd while you\u2019re making a difference, we\u2019ll make sure you\u2019re growing too. With learning that never stops, a culture that lifts you up and the freedom to move across businesses, teams, and borders. Your voice matters here. And your ideas? They\u2019re essential to our future. \n\nBecause real progress only happens when we go beyond, together.\n\nOur application process \n\nInterested in this position? Please apply online by uploading your resume in English via our career portal. Due to privacy regulations, we can only actively interact with applications via our career portal. \n\nInclusion, belonging and equal opportunity statement \nAt dsm-firmenich, we believe being a force for good starts with the way we treat each other. When people feel supported, included, and free to be themselves, they do their best work \u2013 and that\u2019s exactly the kind of culture we\u2019re building. A place where opportunity is truly equal, authenticity is celebrated, and everyone has the chance to grow, contribute, and feel they belong. \nWe\u2019re proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we\u2019re serious about making our hiring process as fair and inclusive as possible. From inclusive language and diverse interview panels to thoughtful sourcing, we\u2019re committed to reflecting the world we serve. \n \nWe welcome candidates from all backgrounds \u2014 no matter your gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or anything else that makes you, you. \n \nAnd if you have a disability or need any support through the application process, we\u2019re here to help \u2013 just let us know what you need, and we\u2019ll do everything we can to make it work.\n\nAgency Statement\n\nWe\u2019re managing this search directly at dsm-firmenich. If you\u2019re applying as an individual, we\u2019d love to hear from you. We\u2019re not accepting agency submissions or proposals involving fees or commissions for this role.\n