Senior Research Scientist - Product Experience

Senior Research Scientist - Product Experience

General Information

Date Published: 13-Nov-2024 Advertising Ends: 27-Nov-2024 Country: New Zealand Location: Manawatu Role Type: Science & Technology Work Type: Permanent ID#: 10605

Position Description

Our Co-operative We are a Co-operative created and owned by Aotearoa New Zealand dairy farmers. Since our beginnings, collaboration, innovation, and passion have enabled us to share the goodness of our dairy with the world. We're committed to caring for the land, our animals, and every drop of milk, producing nutritious food with safe, quality ingredients loved here in New Zealand and around the world. As part of the Fonterra Co-op, you'll be solving for a better future alongside a team connected by solid values as we strive to be a leader in dairy sustainability, dairy innovation and science, with a focus on New Zealand milk. At our Research and Development Centre in Palmerston North, we know the smallest things can make a difference, so we research and develop products that last longer, stretch further, work faster, waste less, withstand more and taste better. About the opportunity | Te whiwhinga mahi We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Research Scientist to join our Product Experience Sciences Team at our Research and Development Centre in Palmerston North on a permanent basis. As our Senior Research Scientist, your primary focus is to enhance the Product Experience team’s capabilities in experimental psychology. This involves deepening our understanding of how sensory information is processed and the contribution of various sensory cues to the overall product experience. You will lead sensory and consumer research workstreams across New Product Development (NPD), New Technology Development (NTD), and breakthrough innovation projects. Key responsibilities include:

• Lead Product Experiment Sciences workstreams in global innovation projects. Design, execute, and oversee consumer research from inception to conclusion, ensuring high-quality data collection and analysis.
• Promote and communicate the importance of understanding the product experience in B2B and foodservice environments, ensuring stakeholders see the full value of product experience insights to support informed business decisions.
• Work in cross-functional and diverse teams to incorporate insights about the product experience into product innovations and business strategies.
• Engage with stakeholders with different backgrounds and seniority. Be comfortable and impactful presenting research findings and insights and providing expert guidance on perceptual and behavioral psychology-related matters.
• Guide and train junior researchers, team members, and students, enhancing their understanding of consumer behavior and introducing novel research methodologies and data analyses.
• Keep up to date with the latest trends and advancements in experimental psychology and sensory science, as well as an interest in exploring how generative AI tools can improve research practices.

About you | Ko wai koe With a background in sensory and consumer science and/or experimental psychology, you’ll apply your expertise in methodologies and experimental design within these fields. Actively engaging with stakeholders and leveraging strong communication skills to interact effectively with diverse audiences. This role presents an excellent opportunity to demonstrate leadership abilities and collaborate to shape the future of R&D at Fonterra. It encompasses strategic thinking, promoting innovation, driving growth, and fostering active staff involvement while establishing trust. To be successful in this role you will need:

• Master’s degree or PhD in Experimental Psychology, Sensory Science, Food Science, or a related field.
• 5 years’ experience within industry or academic research, preferably in a global company. Experience in Dairy would be beneficial.
• Hands-on commercial experience in the sensory and consumer science space.
• Experience in new product development and demonstrating thought leadership.
• Ability to manage complexity and ambiguity while working independently.
• Strong technical directorship, excellent communication skills, coupled with strong collaboration and stakeholder abilities.

Applications will close at midnight on Wednesday, 27th of November. #J-18808-Ljbffr