Polymer Scientist

Does the idea of exploring polymer properties and turning insights into innovative applications inspire you?

IFF is a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients, and bioscience solutions. Our innovations power everyday products through sustainable, cutting-edge science.

At our Leiden site—home to 37 scientists from 12 nationalities—we have a proud history rooted in the early days of modern biotechnology. Today, we continue to lead the industry in sustainable bio-solutions.

Our R&D team designs microbial cell factories to create engineered enzymes used in food & beverages, home & personal care, animal nutrition, grain processing, biopolymers, and more. We drive innovation from idea to production, using generative AI, advanced biomolecular engineering, high-throughput screening, and full-scale testing at IFF manufacturing plants.

IFF Health & Biosciences is currently developing a new family of polysaccharides with broad industrial potential. This work spans biocatalysis, polymer process design, and application development, requiring strong cross-functional collaboration.

We are looking for an enthusiastic Polymer Scientist to join our Designed Enzymatic Biomaterials (DEB) platform within the R&D team in Leiden. In this role, you will apply your expertise in polymer and material science to explore physical polymer properties and translate insights into innovative applications and product development. You will also collaborate closely with cross‑functional partners, including process development.

Success in this role requires strong hands‑on laboratory skills, a proactive mindset, and the ability to connect scientific findings to business needs—such as cost‑in‑use considerations and competitive product or process evaluations.

This Leiden-based role involves close interaction with international IFF teams. Occasional travel to R&D sites in Europe and North America may be required, along with participation in online meetings outside standard working hours.

Where You’ll Make a Difference

• Focus on understanding the fundamental material science properties of the polysaccharides and their chemical derivatives, and how these properties can add value in customer applications

• Identify new opportunities for polysaccharides in diverse industrial applications

• Develop and optimize lab workflows, be involved in laboratory and customer pilot trials

• Contribute to lab management, by developing and building laboratory capabilities

• Assure digitalization of generated data

• Interact with internal and external cross-functional scientific teams

• Read and apply relevant scientific literature

• Present research activities at internal and external meetings

What Makes You the Right Fit

• MSc in Material Science, Physical Chemistry or similar discipline with 1-2 years of industrial experience

• Strong hands-on lab skills with excellent attention to detail and record-keeping

• Proven problem-solving abilities and ability to work independently

• Effective in fast-growing, dynamic, and evolving environments

• Highly motivated, curious, and proactive in scientific work

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; strong team player

• Adaptable, eager to learn, and fluent in spoken and written English

How You Would Stand Out

• Experience with water-soluble polymer formulation/characterization or biodegradable polymer design is a plus

• Knowledge of polysaccharide material processing is advantageous

Why Choose Us?

• Join a dynamic, innovative, and multicultural team of highly skilled scientists

• Grow professionally and build your career in biotechnology, in an energetic, inclusive, and multicultural environment.

• Competitive salary and attractive compensation and benefits, such as:

• Individual Choice Budget of 8% of the annual base salary, employee choice to be paid in monthly instalments or to exchange for additional time off up to 15 extra days per year

• 25 vacation days and 3 bridge days, of which 2 of them are determined by the employer

• Annual Incentive Plan.

We are a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition, offering our customers a broader range of natural solutions and accelerating our growth strategy. At IFF, we believe that your uniqueness unleashes our potential. We value the diverse mosaic of the ethnicity, national origin, race, age, sex, or veteran status. We strive for an inclusive workplace that allows each of our colleagues to bring their authentic self to work regardless of their religion, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation, or disability.

Visit IFF.com/careers/workplace-diversity-and-inclusion to learn more