Senior Research Associate II

Overview

Overview:

The Senior Research Associate independently develops renovation and innovation products from formulation and laboratory evaluation through application validation, factory trials, scale-up, and transfer to manufacturing. This hands-on role requires regular work in Kemin and external laboratories and the ability to plan and execute factory trials at Kemin’s manufacturing facility. The role serves as the product owner for assigned products from concept to launch.

Responsibilities

Lead Renovation and Innovation Projects

• Lead assigned renovation and innovation projects, or defined R&D workstreams within larger projects, from technical brief through formulation, laboratory evaluation, application validation, factory trials, scale-up, manufacturing transfer, and technical launch readiness.
• Define the technical scope, hypotheses, Critical to Quality requirements, success criteria, milestones, risks, resources, and deliverables with the project sponsor and relevant stakeholders.
• Maintain current project plans and communicate progress, technical decisions, dependencies, risks, delays, and recovery actions before milestones are missed.
• Remain accountable for assigned technical deliverables until agreed acceptance criteria are achieved, required documentation is completed, and outstanding technical issues are formally transferred to the accountable function Perform Hands-On Laboratory and Application Work.
• Spend significant working time conducting experiments and application trials in Kemin laboratories and, when required, at external laboratories, customer facilities, partner facilities, and manufacturing sites.
• Independently formulate prototypes and conduct efficacy, stability, analytical, application-performance, and product-packaging compatibility evaluations.
• Design and execute robust experiments using appropriate controls, replication, statistical methods, and predefined acceptance criteria.
• Maintain complete and traceable records of protocols, raw data, observations, deviations, results, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Ensure laboratory, pilot, and production experiments are documented in accordance with applicable procedures and PIP requirements. The PIP Manual requires these experiments to be recorded in laboratory notebooks and white paper Plan and Run Manufacturing Trials.
• Independently plan, coordinate, and lead on-site factory trials at Kemin’s Gummidipoondi manufacturing facility.
• Establish trial objectives, protocols, material requirements, process parameters, sampling plans, Critical to Quality measures, and acceptance criteria before each trial.
• Work on-site with Operations, Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory, Supply Chain, Engineering, and other relevant functions during trial execution.
• Lead technical troubleshooting, collect and analyze trial data, document conclusions, and ensure agreed follow-up actions are completed.

• Recommend whether a product is ready for reformulation, further testing, repeat trials, scale-up, manufacturing transfer, or technical launch readiness.

Manage R&D Deliverables within PIP

• Serve as the R&D Project Manager for assigned projects, working collaboratively with the Product Manager and the wider Product Innovation Process team.
• Develop and maintain the research plan and ensure assigned R&D activities and documentation are completed according to the applicable PIP stage and agreed schedule. • Provide complete and timely technical data, white papers, trial reports, risk assessments, Critical to Quality evidence, packaging recommendations, and manufacturing-transfer information for PIP reviews and gate decisions.
• Proactively identify technical gaps, coordinate actions with relevant functions, and resolve outstanding requirements before requesting progression to the next PIP stage.
• Maintain accurate PIP documentation in the designated company project-management system.
• Support scale-up, launch, and post-launch technical follow-up, including additional efficacy, stability, quality, application, or manufacturing work when required.

Generate Reliable Data and Technical Recommendations

• Collect, analyze, interpret, and document research and trial data independently, ensuring traceability from raw data to conclusion.
• Apply fit-for-purpose analytical and application methods and confirm that instruments, standards, controls, and methods are suitable for use.
• Review data generated by interns/trainees, identify gaps, and determine whether additional work is required.
• Convert findings into clear recommendations on formulation, efficacy, stability, application performance, packaging, manufacturing feasibility, technical risks, and next steps.
• Use appropriate statistical methods and approved digital and AI-enabled tools to identify trends and improve the speed and quality of technical analysis and decision support.
• Apply independent scientific judgment when reviewing AI-assisted outputs and verify the accuracy, relevance, and reliability of information before use.

Evaluate and Recommend Packaging

• Evaluate and recommend appropriate packaging formats, materials, pack sizes, and technical specifications based on product compatibility, stability, customer application, storage, transportation, regulatory requirements, cost, and manufacturing capability.
• Plan and execute packaging compatibility and stability studies, and coordinate packaging trials when required.
• Work collaboratively with the Product Manager, Operations, Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory, Supply Chain, Procurement, Finance, Marketing, and Sales to test and finalize packaging through the applicable PIP stage-gate process.
• Include approved packaging specifications, compatibility evidence, storage requirements, and handling instructions in the technical transfer package.

Build Scientific, Product, and Digital Expertise

• Review relevant scientific literature, patents, competitor technologies, market developments, and customer requirements.
• Translate scientific and industry knowledge into technical hypotheses and potential renovation or innovation opportunities.
• Use approved AI and digital tools to improve literature reviews, patent-search preparation, experimental planning, data analysis, technical writing, and knowledge management.
• Protect confidential, proprietary, customer, and personal information when using AI or other digital tools and comply with applicable company policies.
• Do not rely on AI-generated content as a substitute for scientific evidence, qualified technical judgment, required approvals, or documented experimental work.
• Serve as the technical subject-matter expert for assigned products and maintain accurate, current, and reusable product knowledge.
• Prepare and review technical reports, protocols, white papers, presentations, internal publications, product guidance, and training materials.

Drive Cross-Functional Commercialization

• Proactively build and maintain effective working relationships with the PIP team and key functions, including Operations, Manufacturing, Finance, Marketing, Sales, Regulatory, Quality, Supply Chain, Procurement, Engineering, Technical Service, and global R&D.
• Work collaboratively throughout the PIP process to align technical development with customer needs, product cost, commercial potential, packaging requirements, regulatory requirements, manufacturing feasibility, and launch priorities.
• Provide the technical inputs required for product costing, commercial evaluation, customer value assessment, scale-up planning, and investment decisions.
• Proactively engage relevant functions to resolve issues, obtain decisions, complete actions, and advance projects through the applicable PIP stages.
• Provide technically accurate content, product demonstrations, and training for Innovation Days, customer engagements, product launches, and internal capability development.
• Capture and apply learnings from laboratory work, application trials, customer trials, factory trials, scale-up, launch, and post-launch review.

Coach and Strengthen R&D Capability

• Provide practical instruction, technical coaching, and safe-working guidance to interns/trainees
• Coordinate approved project activities assigned to interns or junior colleagues and review their technical outputs promptly.
• Provide clear, evidence-based feedback against agreed scientific, documentation, quality, and safety standards.
• Develop and improve methods, templates, protocols, and working practices that strengthen scientific quality, execution speed, consistency, and knowledge retention.
• Promote responsible and effective use of approved statistical, digital, and AI tools within the R&D team.

Maintain Laboratory Safety, Quality, and Operational Discipline

• Maintain assigned laboratory areas, instruments, materials, inventory, and safety responsibilities in accordance with documented laboratory accountabilities.
• Apply 5S principles and maintain a safe, organized, and inspection-ready working environment.
• Ensure equipment readiness and coordinate calibration, preventive maintenance, repairs, inventory, and material availability.
• Develop and maintain SOPs, research protocols, analytical and application methods, risk assessments, and safety procedures within the role’s authority.
• Report safety, quality, equipment, cybersecurity, confidentiality, or data-integrity concerns promptly and ensure agreed corrective actions are completed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline. • Strong laboratory, experimental design, data analysis, and basic statistical skills.• Scientific curiosity, practical problem-solving, and an interest in renovation and innovation.• Organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to prioritize and deliver assigned projects. • Able to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment. • Strong written and verbal communication skills in English. • Proficient in Microsoft Office and comfortable using approved AI and digital tools to support research and productivity. • Willing to conduct hands-on work in laboratories and manufacturing facilities.

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