Company Overview:
Wilmar International Limited is Asia’s leading agribusiness group, involved in activities such as oil palm cultivation, edible oils refining, oilseeds crushing, consumer pack edible oils processing, specialty fats, oleochemicals, biodiesel manufacturing, and grains processing. With over 1,000 manufacturing plants and a vast distribution network covering China, India, Indonesia, and more than 50 other countries, Wilmar is supported by a multinational workforce of about 100,000 people.
Job Summary:
We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Research Scientist with a strong background in lipid science to join our dynamic R&D team. The successful candidate will lead innovative research projects on specialty fats, focusing on understanding the factors that influence product stability, texture, and functionality. You will contribute to the design, optimization, and enhancement of fat-based formulations for food applications.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Research & product development
- Conduct detailed investigations into the factors affecting emulsion stability and product texture in various fat-based food systems.
- Lead studies to identify and characterize the physical and chemical interactions between fat and other components (e.g., proteins, emulsifiers, stabilizers) to enhance product performance.
- Explore and implement cutting-edge technologies and novel ingredients to improve product stability, shelf life, and sensory attributes.
- Design, formulate, and prototype new fat-based food products, ensuring that they meet functional, textural, and stability requirements.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure that research outcomes align with product development goals and can be scaled up for commercialization.
- Stay abreast of the latest scientific and technological advancements in lipid science, emulsion technology, and specialty fats.
2. Documentation & Reporting:
- Prepare comprehensive technical reports and research publications based on your findings.
- Present key research outcomes to internal teams, senior management, and external stakeholders, highlighting innovations and practical applications.
3. Collaboration & Mentorship:
- Work closely with R&D, production, and quality teams to translate research findings into commercially viable products.
- Provide mentorship and guidance to junior research assistants and technicians involved in the project, assisting with experimental design, data interpretation, and troubleshooting.
4. Additional Duties:
- Undertake other responsibilities as required to support the broader R&D objectives of the company.
Required Qualifications:
- PhD in Colloid Chemistry, Lipid Chemistry, Materials Science, Food Science, or a closely related field.
- In-depth knowledge of fats, proteins and emulsions, with proven research experience in food systems.
- Expertise in analytical methods for characterizing fats and emulsions (e.g., DSC, NMR, microscopy, rheology) and hands-on experience in fat crystallization and emulsion stability.
- Strong problem-solving skills, creativity, and a drive for innovation in product development.
- Excellent communication skills for reporting complex scientific concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Strong project management skills, with the ability to lead research initiatives, manage timelines, and collaborate effectively across teams.
