Jobs in Illinois 2026 (Now Hiring) - Smart Auto Apply

Job Description

Scientist III, Milling and Grain Science - Decatur, IL

Research & Development

Position Summary:

Our Milling, Grain Quality, and Separations Processing focused research group is looking for an experienced scientist to enhance ADM's grain and oilseed processing capabilities.

This position will work simultaneously across multiple projects in support of operation's needs, customer care, performance excellence, and growth projects.

This role will be responsible for understanding business needs and aligning appropriate levels of technical work to meet those needs at the laboratory and pilot levels and will provide support for plant trials and gathering of plant samples.

The holder of this position will be expected to develop experimental designs, execute those designs, analyze and report the results in a clear and concise manner. This position will provide daily management of the milling laboratory, equipment maintenance, safety reviews and supplies procurement, and assist technical staff on training and executing experiments. Interdepartmental interactions and networking with technical leaders and staff are required.

Understanding and communication of experimental results to operational and business importance and application of experiments to the business environment is desired. Occasional domestic travel to other ADM locations will be required.

Previous experience in laboratory or piloting experimental design and execution for new product development or process optimization is highly desired; a good understanding of laboratory equipment and maintenance, methodology, and laboratory safety are highly desirable. Cereal science, protein chemistry, starch chemistry and food applications experience is desirable. This position will be focused primarily on laboratory scale work, but the position will be expected to sometimes work in an industrial plant environment and assist with piloting scaleup demonstration of experiments.

Responsibilities:

• Partner with Research project teams to identify, develop, and implement new grain and oilseeds processing technologies for new products and processes, process improvements, and troubleshooting to deliver best in class solutions before commercialization
• Lead where appropriate as an individual contributor and team member on matrix projects
• Evaluate production processes and develop the best methods for scale-down parameters and pilot testing required to make process changes that increase yield, purity, and/or capacity
• Design experiments for laboratory and piloting trials, collect and organize data, interpret data
• Write detailed reports and prepare comprehensive presentations and communicate at all levels of the organization
• Prepare mass balances of new or existing technologies to understand scale up/scale down
• Collaborate with plant engineers, vendors, and contractors to identify scale-up risks and then develop methods to mitigate
• Provide technical support to existing facilities
• Support pilot trials in industrial environments
• Work with subject matter experts and managers to ensure technical work is done with sound, scientific methods to provide high quality information in a resource efficient manner
• Assist junior team members in development, help develop standard operating procedures, and maintain safe laboratory practices

Education:

• Degreed with demonstrated knowledge in Chemical Engineering, Grain Science, Food Science, Milling Science or related field. An advanced degree (MS) or equivalent experience is preferred.

Experience:

• Two or more years of laboratory or piloting/production experience at a technical level
• BS with 10+ years of industry experience or an advanced degree (PhD or MS) with 5+ years technical experience
• Technical background in the areas of milling, cereal, food science or related area (knowledge of grain and oilseeds processing from agricultural sources preferred)
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with unit operations of food processing or milling applications and ingredient manufacturing

Skills:

• A strong engineering and mechanical aptitude with applied understanding of processing equipment and unit operations including, but not limited to centrifugation, grinding, filtration, dryers, mixers, sizing, dewatering, tempering, and steeping.
• Knowledge of developing basic mass balance and cost models
• Strong chemistry or cereal science/oil seeds science knowledge as applied to processing said materials and final products
• Strong communication, project management and organizational skills that drive timely experimental results
• Strong teamworking skills to encourage open collaboration, feedback and diverse project team members interactions in a matrix project management environment
• Good understanding of statistical analysis (JMP software), concepts, and principles
• Good time management skills
• Ability to lead and manage teams and individuals

Requirements:

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and support all aspects of laboratory and piloting experimental work.
• Ability to manage working on multiple projects with a variety of Research teams in a highly multi-tasked environment.
• Candidate will need to work within established company and laboratory safety guidelines.
• A willingness to spend time in plant areas, tolerate extreme temperatures, walk long distances, stand, climb stairs and ladders and move through close spaces.
• Previous experience in the analysis of foods, biofuels, natural products, industrial fermentations and experience developing multivariate analysis models will be given added consideration.
• Must be willing to travel.

Core Competencies:

• Communication, scientific aptitude, integrity, mechanical aptitude, problem solving, ability to work independently as well as in a diverse team, detail oriented, and safety commitment.

Excited about this role but don't think you meet every requirement listed? We encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this role or another one of our openings.

ADM requires the successful completion of a background check.

REF:105525BR