Lipid Science & Applications Scientist I - Decatur, IL

About the role

The ADM R&D Lipid Science & Applications Group (LS&A) & Oil Processing Group is seeking candidates for a scientist to work on a variety of projects to support ADM’s Refined Oils business, with emphasis on running and maintaining the pilot plant equipment and laboratory oil processing equipment.

Responsibilities

• Aid in managing the LS&A lab to ensure wet chemistry and analytical equipment is calibrated and maintained appropriately.
• Follow approved methods and SOPs to support bench and pilot plant work.
• Review, update and write SOPs and perform job safety assessments (JSAs).
• Show the highest level of safety and consideration for others working in the pilot plant.
• Run benchtop and pilot enzymatic interesterification equipment to support ADM Oils, develop new products and optimize existing products.
• Run bench top and pilot deodorization equipment to support ADM Oils, develop new products and optimize existing products.
• Blend oils from the bench to the pilot area blending tanks (4000 lbs.).
• Operate pilot plant scraped surface heat exchanger units.
• Design experiments to study the impact of fat & oil modification techniques on the physical and chemical behavior of oils and fats in the neat state or in food systems.
• Design experiments to evaluate the oxidative stability of oils and fats to better understand the role of antioxidants, storage conditions and processing parameters on the oxidative stability of oils.
• Submit oils samples to central analytical services to support LS&A and Technical Services and interpret the results.
• Evaluate and develop new methods to characterize the physical and chemical properties of oils and fats.
• Use MS Excel, PowerPoint and Word knowledge, and accurate electronic lab notebook reporting skills to support project work.
• Support R&D in the discovery, development, and scale up oilseeds production and refining processes.
• Support Operations in troubleshooting and optimizing current oilseeds related processes, including working with various feedstocks for manufacture, production, purification, stabilization, and packaging of vegetable oils, fats, and specialty oils to support customers and commercial teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science or Master’s degree within food science, biological science, chemistry or material science curriculums.
• Experience with running and working with food ingredient processing equipment and strong mechanical aptitude.
• Knowledge of oils and fats fundamentals (lipid oxidation, lipid crystallization and function in food systems).
• Knowledge of analytical techniques used to characterize the physical and chemical characteristics of oils and fats.
• Academic or experience in the area of lipid science and applications or food applications.
• Ability to move 420 lb. drums of oil and 2000 lb. totes of oil via electric pallet jack.
• Knowledge of lipid nutrition and nutritional labeling regulation.
• Experimental design and monitoring skills.
• Strong colleague and customer interaction skills.