Principal Scientist

At Corbion, we exist to champion preservation in all its forms, preserving food and food production, health, and our planet.

Are you passionate for sustainability? Would you like to make a difference with your Polymer Technology knowledge and experience in Corbion’s mission to Preserve what Matters? As Principle Scientist Polymer Technology, you will be one of the team leads in the Polymer Technology group, one of the core technologies of Corbion’s Innovation Center, at our location in Gorinchem. This is the largest R&D site of Corbion world-wide with labs, office space and a pilot plant. On this site, the largest lactic acid derivative production facility is also found, serving our core business units as well as the plant which serves biomedical applications in our Health & Nutrition business.

Corbion Innovation Center’s Polymer Technology group is focusing on developing and transferring bioresorbable and implantable polymer products and technologies transitioning from bench scale to production in the field of bioresorbable polymers for medical devices or pharmaceutical applications. Furthermore, you will focus on troubleshooting and providing plant support to our production facilities in the Netherlands and United States as well as providing support to our global business development.

This multifaceted role requires a strong background in polymer material science and encompasses various key activities including customer driven research, polymer design by translating target product profile into polymer chemistry, technology transfer, trouble-shooting, process optimization as a basis for techno-economic and sustainability evaluation, and scale-up. We offer you the opportunity to further deepen the knowledge in synthesis and purification of bioresorbable polymers, innovate and develop polymeric materials that improve the quality-of-life of patients.

You will help shape the future direction of this discipline, alongside other core contributors and internal experts. In addition, you will lead a diverse team of polymer experts, composed of members with different levels of expertise. You will address their needs for development, engagement and support, while managing innovation project staffing through distribution and allocation of your direct reports.

Responsibilities:

• Drive the development of new polymer technologies in innovation projects, as project, technical or workstream lead.
• Act as subject matter expert in Polymer Science
• Contribute to innovation by developing new products and processes that advance the field.
• Lead the design, planning, and execution of complex research and innovation projects, from conception through to completion ensuring high technical quality standards.
• Ensure that all research activities align with organizational goals and comply with relevant regulations and procedures (GMP/GLP).
• Promote a culture of continuous learning by sharing knowledge and best practices within the team.
• Work closely and effectively with cross-functional teams of the Innovation Center.
• Demonstrate strong leadership and collaborative behavior with commitment to safety, innovation and quality.
• Manage a team of 3-6 polymer scientists and technicians, with emphasis on their health, wellbeing and engagement. In addition, support project staffing process, while having in mind the project needs, personal and competence growth within process technology roadmap.

Requirements

• At least 10 years of industrial work experience, preferably in polyester-based polymer technology, with knowledge of materials and (processing) technologies used in the medical and pharmaceutical industry.
• Master's Degree, ideally in related scientific field.
• Experience in product - and process development, preferably in the medical - or pharmaceutical industry.
• Knowledge of IP-management and driving IP strategy for product and processes developed.
• Experience in scale-up - and transfer activities, including process validation.

• Experience in technical project management, in particular with driving techno-economic assessments in projects.
• Experience in working with different business functions (e.g. Quality and Operations) and championing data-driven decision making and critical thinking.
• Passion for innovation and sustainability with commitment to deliver on promises and eagerness to deliver through collaboration.
• Pro-active mindset with strong conceptual thinking skills, complemented by good analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Empathetic and caring personality, team player, preferably coupled with direct leadership experience as line manager and/or (technical) project manager.
• Ability for effective cross-functional -, cross-level communication and stakeholder management.

About Corbion 
Corbion is the global market leader in lactic acid and its derivatives, and a leading supplier of emulsifiers, functional enzyme blends, minerals, vitamins, and algae ingredients. We use our unique expertise in fermentation and other processes to deliver sustainable solutions for the preservation of food and food production, health, and our planet. For over 100 years, we have been uncompromising in our commitment to safety, quality, innovation and performance. Drawing on our deep application and product knowledge, we work side-by-side with customers to make our cutting-edge technologies work for them. Our solutions help differentiate products in markets such as food, home & personal care, animal nutrition, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and bioplastics. In 2023, Corbion generated annual sales of €1,443.8 million and had a workforce of 2,727 FTE. Corbion is listed on Euronext Amsterdam. For more information: www.corbion.com

Corbion does not accept unsolicited resumes from individual recruiters or third party recruiting agencies in response to job postings. No fee will be paid to third parties who submit unsolicited candidates directly to our hiring managers. All candidates must be submitted by approved Corbion vendors who have been expressly requested to make a submission by our Talent Acquisition team for a specific job opening. No placement fees will be paid to any firm unless such a request has been made by the Corbion Talent Acquisition team and such candidate was submitted to the Corbion Talent Acquisition Team.