R&D Associate Director

Louis Dreyfus Company is a leading merchant and processor of agricultural goods. Our activities span the entire value chain from farm to fork, across a broad range of business lines, we leverage our global reach and extensive asset network to serve our customers and consumers around the world. Structured as a matrix organization of six geographical regions and ten platforms, Louis Dreyfus Company is active in over 100 countries and employs approximately 18,000 people globally.

LDC’s plant protein business unit R&D group is looking for a Director R&D Plant Proteins to lead the research on the next generation of sustainable plant protein ingredients for application in food and beverage products. Director R&D Plant Proteins will work closely with the Engineering team on process scale up and will support the Application team in product development.

Main accountabilities:

• Lead the research on the next generation of sustainable, plant protein ingredients for application in food and beverage products
• Manage analytical platforms and associated data analysis pipelines for R&D and QA/QC.
• Develop new methods to extract protein fractions from various plant sources for food applications.
• Manage protein extraction and analytical team with advanced people skills, develop and advance their career and be able to create a sense of team, coordination, and connection.
• Set up protein characterization platform to assess physico-chemical and functional properties of various protein fractions.
• Ensure all the methods are captured in SOPs and results are reported in quality and timely manner
• Collaborate with the Engineering team to test and optimize protein down-stream processing methods at pilot plant scale
• Collaborate with the Application team on plant-based product development and characterization
• Set up and lead research collaborations with relevant external partners

Experience:

• Experience in (plant) protein extraction
• Deep understanding of (plant) protein structures and functionality
• Demonstrated ability and commitment to work effectively in a team, leading and mentoring research scientists, associates, assistants, collaborating with fellow scientists and engineers, and setting an example of scientific and people management excellence for the team.
• Experience in methods and equipment used to assess protein physicochemical and functional properties
• Demonstrated ability to conceive original ideas, articulate them clearly and design experiments to test them.
• Experience in developing methods and operating LC-MS, GC-MS, SEM, DSC
• Experience in working on analytical characterization of volatile and non-volatile chemistry in complex food matrices, such as lipids, proteins and oligosaccharides

Education:  

• PhD in protein chemistry, biochemistry, biophysics, biotechnology, analytical chemistry, or related fields.
• 6-8 years of experience (in relevant industry)

Languages:

• Written and verbal English language proficiency

Other skills and competencies:

• Experience in LIMS, NCBI tools is a plus

What We Offer

We provide a dynamic and stimulating international environment, which will stretch and develop your abilities and channel your skills and expertise with outstanding career development opportunities in one of the largest and most solid private companies in the world.

- Comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental and vision care coverage, flexible spending account plans, employee assistance program, life insurance and disability coverage
- 401k with Company Match
- Family Friendly Benefits including childbirth and parental leave, fertility and family building benefits
- Paid Time Off (PTO) and Paid Holidays
- Flexible work available (not applicable to all roles)

Diversity & Inclusion

LDC is driven by a set of shared values and high ethical standards, with diversity and inclusion being part of our DNA. LDC is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity, equity and inclusion.

LDC encourages diversity, supports local communities and environmental initiatives. We encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

Equal employment opportunity (EEO)

Louis Dreyfus Company provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Sustainability

Sustainable value is at the heart of our purpose as a company.

We are passionate about creating fair and sustainable value, both for our business and for other value chain stakeholders: our people, our business partners, the communities we touch and the environment around us