Senior Research Scientist, Health & Wellbeing

Background & Purpose of the Job 

We are the Global Health & Wellbeing (H&W) team focused on one of Unilever’s largest growth opportunities – the €140bn Health & Wellbeing space defined by Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements (VMS).

We work in an agile, fast-moving environment, collaboratively within the team and with our Unilever colleagues around the world. We work in a project based networked way where everyone needs to be able to take a step back and think strategically as well as rolling up their sleeves and get their hands dirty, to be entrepreneurial and experiment as well as bringing in the best of Unilever and work the structures of a large company, to take charge and lead as well as follow and support others.

Unilever’s Health & Wellbeing Group holds the company’s functional nutrition brands and the portfolio of brands that includes Equilibra (Italy) and US acquired brands Olly, LiquidIV, SmartyPants, Welly,Onnit, and Nutrafol. Each brand is completely unique and focused on giving consumers superior experiences within their respective spaces and target segments. We are committed to continue grow this strategic business for Unilever through a series of acquisitions and international expansion of acquired brands through Unilever’s scale and network in the markets.

Who You Are & What You’ll Do

The Senior Research Scientistwill play a critical role in the Nutritional Sciences and Innovation team (NS&I).  They will be responsible for developing and managing long term Science & Technology pipeline projects for Hydration.As a technical project lead, the Senior Research Scientist will be required to provide expertise in identifyingareas of scientific exploration, hypothesis generation, and the coordination and execution ofexperiments. Further, the role requires the ability to translate science into differentiated and meaningful business applications.  Strong people and networking skills with a true passion for innovation also needed.

The role reports to the Associate Director, Nutritional Sciences and Innovation, Health & Wellbeing and will interface with the Global and Regional R&D teams.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Lead

• Independently develops and execute long term pipeline projects for Hydration for the Global Health and Wellbeing Team and The Collective.

• Establish and manage external research partnerships with 3rdparty contract research labs.Work across The Collective and Unilever R&D to identify and develop transversal pipeline opportunities.

• Interacts with internal stakeholders to optimize transfer of new scientific insights.

• Develops scientific positions and viewpoints relevant to the business.

• Identify and tracks emerging trends and scientific developments withinthe fields of hydration, sports physiology, and exercise science.

Support (within the broader NS&I team)

• Support IP strategy for early-stage pipeline activities.

• Contribute to front end innovation activities including but not limited to workshops, prototyping and claim storming.

• Support claim substantiation activities as a subject matter expert as needed.

What You’ll Need to Succeed

Demonstrated ability to generate scientific hypothesises, design and execute appropriate experiments, and translate the findings into practical applications.

• Ability to translate science into consumer relevant propositions, claims and communication.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to present information in a clear and concise manner to senior management.

• Networking and stakeholder management 

• Attention to detail, excellent organization and time management skills.

• Ability to think flexibly to meet constantly shifting priorities and timelines and to independently provide solutions to issues.

• Problem-solving, troubleshooting skills and ability to find creative solutions.

• Ability to work successfully in a ‘team-based’ environment.

• Ability to manage external collaborations and projects.

• BS in biology, physical sciences, or engineering with 5+ years in-depth experience focused on hydration at a healthcare, consumer goods, food, or pharmaceutical company.

OR MS in biology, physical sciences, or engineering with a focus on hydration, physiology, kinesiology, cellular biology, nutrition scienceswith 3+ years of in-depth, relevant experience

OR PhD focused on hydration, physiology, kinesiology, cellular biology, nutritionsciences, with 2+ years of in-depth, relevant experience.

Pay: The pay range for this position is $84,400 to $126,600. Unilever takes into consideration a wide range of factors that are utilized in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, qualifications and education, and other business and organizational needs.

Bonus: This position is bonus eligible.
Long-Term Incentive (LTI): This position is LTI eligible.

Benefits: Unilever employees are eligible to participate in our benefits plan. Should the employee choose to participate, they can choose from a range of benefits to include, but is not limited to, health insurance (including prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage), retirement savings benefits, life insurance and disability benefits, parental leave, sick leave, paid vacation and holidays, as well as access to numerous voluntary benefits. Any coverages for health insurance and retirement benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.

What We Can Offer You

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