Lead Technician Food technology, Plant-based ingredients

Job Title: Lead Technician Food technology, Plant-based ingredients
City, Country: Delft, The Netherlands

The Center for Food Innovation (CFI) is looking for a Lead Technician Food Technology to join the Plant-based Ingredients team within the Savory and Protein Ingredients House. At CFI, we drive Research & Development (R&D) for the Taste, Texture & Health (TTH) business unit—developing innovative food ingredients, cost-effective production processes, and sustainable solutions for our customers. Are you ready to shape the future of food innovation? Do you thrive in a collaborative, dynamic environment and bring a proactive mindset to every challenge? Then we might be looking for you!

Your key responsibilities

Accurately plan, prepare, and execute experiments to characterize plant-based ingredients by

physical characterisation techniques such as rheology, texture analysis, DSC, and microscopy techniques.
organizing and interpreting chemical and compositional analyses, executed by analytical science groups
application tests, including gelation, emulsification and foaming tests.

Make model food products to demonstrate the behaviour of the ingredients.
Perform enzymatic incubations to change the properties of the ingredients.
Execute tests on automated high-throughput screening platforms (in collaboration with automation experts)
Analyze and report the collected data, in presentations and written reports, within the scientific community as well as to the business group
Collaborate closely with scientists and experts to design and execute experiments, collect data, and analyze results
Respond to questions from business colleagues to support product application and customers.
Manage labs and equipment, ensuring optimal performance and adherence to safety protocols.

We offer

Sustainability Commitment: Be part of an organization where sustainability isn't just a headline but is embedded in our strategy and processes, enabling you to make a meaningful impact on the world;
Empowered Flexibility: Enjoy a flexible work environment that empowers you to take ownership of your work, driving accountability and fostering a healthy work-life balance;
Inspiring Innovation: Join a company with a rich history of groundbreaking scientific innovation and a future brimming with opportunities to collaboratively create with our customers;
Nurturing Growth: Cultivate your potential in an environment that encourages and supports curiosity, fostering an open mindset for continuous personal and professional development;
Well-Being Priority: Experience a culture that places safety and well-being at its core, caring for both your physical and mental health;
Inclusive Community: Join barrier-free communities within our organization where every employee is equally valued and respected, regardless of their background, beliefs, or identity. Embrace the strength of diversity.

You bring

You have a background in food chemistry, food physics, or food processing and application, typically at the Bachelor (HBO) or Masters’ level.
Preferably, you have experience in food chemistry, food physics, and food processing and application, data analysis and interpretation, optionally enzyme application or material characterisation.
A generalist mindset—flexible, adaptable, and ready to contribute across different techniques and project teams.
A self-driven, can-do attitude with strong organizational skills, capable of managing multiple projects and shifting priorities with ease.
Excellent communication skills in English, both written and verbal, enabling clear collaboration and reporting.

About dsm-firmenich
At dsm-firmenich, we don’t just meet expectations – we go beyond them.
Join our global team powered by science, creativity, and a shared purpose: to bring progress to life.

From elevating health to making fortified food and sustainable skincare, the impact of your work here will be felt by millions – every single day. Whether it’s fragrance that helps you focus, alternative meat that’s 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.

And while you’re making a difference, we’ll make sure you’re 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’re essential to our future.

Because real progress only happens when we go beyond, together.

Inclusion, belonging and equal opportunity statement
At 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 – and that’s exactly the kind of culture we’re building. A place where opportunity is truly equal, authenticity is celebrated, and everyone has the chance to grow, contribute, and feel they belong.

We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we’re serious about making our hiring process as fair and inclusive as possible. From inclusive language and diverse interview panels to thoughtful sourcing, we’re committed to reflecting the world we serve.

We welcome candidates from all backgrounds — no matter your gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or anything else that makes you, you.

And if you have a disability or need any support through the application process, we’re here to help – just let us know what you need, and we’ll do everything we can to make it work.

Agency statement
We’re managing this search directly at dsm-firmenich. If you’re applying as an individual, we’d love to hear from you. We’re not accepting agency submissions or proposals involving fees or commissions for this role.