What are the responsibilities and job description for the Principal/Senior Scientist position at Balchem Corporation?
COMPANY OVERVIEW:
Balchem Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets specialty ingredients that improve and enhance the health and well-being of life on the planet, providing state-of-the-art solutions and the finest quality products for a range of industries worldwide. Our corporate headquarters is located in Montvale, New Jersey and we have a broad network of sales offices, manufacturing sites, and R&D centers, primarily located in the US and Europe. Founded in 1967, Balchem is a publicly traded company (NASDAQ BCPC) with annual revenues over $900 million and a market cap exceeding $4.0 billion. The company consists of three business segments: Human Nutrition & Health; Animal Nutrition & Health; and Specialty Products. Balchem employs over 1,400 people worldwide who are engaged in diverse activities, committed to developing the company into global market leadership positions. To learn more about our dynamic, stable and growing company, visit www.balchem.com.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Senior/Principal Scientist will lead strategic, long-term research initiatives within Balchems Animal Nutrition & Health business. This role is ideal for a highly experienced scientist with deep expertise in chemistry and proven success in driving innovation from concept through commercialization. The successful candidate will spearhead complex R&D projects, develop next-generation technologies, and serve as a thought leader in advancing Balchems scientific capabilities. This position requires a visionary approach to problem-solving, strong communication in multidisciplinary teams, and the ability to translate scientific breakthroughs into commercial success.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Lead and design advanced research programs focused on chemical formulation, encapsulation technologies, and material science for animal nutrition applications.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Supply Chain, Commercial, and Regulatory teams to ensure seamless scale-up.
- Monitor global technology trends, assess competitive landscapes, and identify opportunities for disruptive innovation.
- Serve as the internal subject matter expert on microencapsulation, agglomeration, and rumen-protected nutrient technologies
- Champion safety and quality standards across all R&D activities.
- Participate in team meetings and contribute ideas for improving processes and formulations.
- Apply advanced experimental design (DOE) and statistical modeling to accelerate discovery and optimize performance.
- Conduct literature searches to support ongoing projects and summarize findings for the team.
- Represent Balchem at industry conferences and technical forums.
- Perform duties as assigned.
- The working environment will include office, laboratory, pilot plant, and manufacturing environments and may require up to 10% business travel.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- 5-10 years of progressive experience in R&D within specialty chemicals, food, nutraceutical, or pharmaceutical industries.
- Ph.D. in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Material Science, Physics, Food Science, or Polymer Science.
Required Skills
- Demonstrated expertise in formulation chemistry
- Deep knowledge of polymer chemistry, including controlled-release systems.
- Experience with polymeric formulations, emulsions, and encapsulation technologies.
- Experience with advanced material characterization techniques (DSC, rheology, microscopy, texture analysis, etc.).
- Proven track record of leading complex projects from ideation to commercialization.
- Strong publication and patent history showcasing innovative contributions.
- Proficiency with DOE and statistical tools.
- Exceptional leadership, communication, and collaboration skills.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills.
- History of successful scale-up in industrial settings.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and protect intellectual property, including patent drafting and strategy.
Preferred Skills
- Experience with the chemistry and functional properties of lipids.
- Expertise in colloid and interface science.
- Knowledge of powder technology, including granulation, agglomeration, and particle engineering.
- Proficiency in analytical instrumentation such as HPLC, GC-MS, FTIR, NMR, and particle size analysis.
- Ability to leverage AI-powered platforms.\
- Familiarity with regulatory frameworks for animal feed and related products.
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Balchem is committed to a workplace culture that values and promotes diversity, inclusion, equal employment opportunities, and a work environment free of harassment and hostility.
The salary range for this role is between $120,000 and $150,000 per year.