Senior Lead Scientist

Are you passionate about using science to solve complex industrial challenges and develop enzyme solutions that create meaningful business impact? IFF is a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients and health & biosciences. We deliver sustainable innovations that elevate everyday products. Health & Biosciences channels our passion for nature and bioscience into sustainable, life-enhancing technologies that power innovative solutions across healthcare, food, consumer and industrial markets. The role is based on-site in Palo Alto, California. Be part of a motivated, passionate and open-minded team where together we can achieve greatness and make a real impact. Your potential is our inspiration.

We are seeking a Senior Lead Scientist in Biochemistry and Analytical Chemistry to provide scientific leadership in the discovery, characterization and development of enzymes for our Grain business. You will combine deep expertise in biochemistry, enzymology, analytical chemistry and mechanistic assay development to guide multidisciplinary programs from concept through technology development. As a recognized technical expert, you will help shape scientific strategy, solve complex challenges involving industrially relevant substrates and mentor scientists across the organization. Where You’ll Make a Difference Lead innovative research programs in enzyme engineering, catalysis, protein chemistry and biochemical mechanisms, translating scientific questions into clear experimental strategies. Develop kinetic and thermodynamic models that explain enzyme performance and guide protein engineering priorities and decision-making. Investigate enzyme interactions with complex matrices, including carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, plant-derived materials, fermentation broths and other industrial substrates. Develop, validate and deploy robust biochemical, enzymatic and analytical assays for screening, mechanistic characterization and process development, including high-throughput and medium-throughput workflows where appropriate. Lead the implementation and interpretation of advanced analytical methods, including liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), high-performance and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC/UPLC), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), ultraviolet-visible and fluorescence spectroscopy, chromatographic separations and biophysical characterization methods. Integrate analytical, biochemical and process datasets to identify performance bottlenecks, generate actionable insights and support rigorous technical decisions. Partner across protein engineering, microbial engineering, fermentation, applications, bioinformatics and computational teams, while supporting technology transfer and scale-up activities as needed. Mentor scientists and research associates, strengthen best practices in experimental design and data quality, and contribute to intellectual property through invention disclosures, patents, publications and scientific presentations. What Makes You the Right Fit Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Enzymology, Analytical Chemistry or a related scientific discipline. Typically 10 or more years of relevant industrial and/or postdoctoral experience in biochemistry, enzymology, analytical chemistry, industrial biotechnology or a related field. Demonstrated expertise in enzyme characterization, protein chemistry and/or mechanistic biochemistry. Deep understanding of enzyme kinetics, reaction mechanisms, binding interactions, thermodynamics and quantitative data analysis. Proven experience developing, validating and implementing biochemical, enzymatic and analytical assays. Hands-on experience interpreting data from advanced analytical techniques used to characterize proteins, metabolites, reaction products and complex mixtures. A strong record of solving complex scientific problems involving biological systems, heterogeneous materials or