Molecule Discovery Leader

Job SummaryLooking for a role that challenges you while making an impact on products people use every day? We are seeking a highly skilled Molecule Discovery Leader to lead and scale a next-generation molecule discovery engine in China, delivering breakthrough fragrance ingredients and building a world-class innovation hub.IFF is a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients and health & biosciences, we deliver sustainable innovations that elevate everyday products.Scent: Harnessing the full emotional power of scent, driven by pioneering creativity, science, consumer expertise and a mindful approach to fragrance design.​The role is based in Shanghai (hybrid role), China. Be part of a motivated, passionate, and open-minded team where together we can achieve greatness and make a real impact. Your potential is our inspiration.Where you will make the difference In this position, you will play a central role in shaping the future of IFF’s fragrance ingredients palette by driving the discovery of novel, high-value molecules, leveraging advanced scientific approaches and emerging technologies. You will lead and inspire a team of discovery scientists, fostering a culture of creativity, rigor, and breakthrough thinking in molecular design and identification. You will also operate within a highly collaborative ecosystem, engaging closely with R&D experts, perfumers, and business stakeholders to ensure that newly discovered molecules are relevant, scalable, and meaningful in the market. Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities Drive end-to-end discovery programs by orchestrating internal capabilities and external ecosystems, transforming diverse scientific insights into high-impact, validated molecules with clear pathways to development and commercialization.Define and lead a holistic molecule discovery strategy, integrating multiple innovation approaches (computational design, AI-driven discovery, rational design, natural inspiration, and biotechnology) to build a differentiated and sustainable pipeline of novel fragrance ingredients.Position the team at the center of the China innovation ecosystem through strategic partnerships with academia, startups, technology playersDrive collaboration with global R&D, perfumery, data science, and process development teams to translate discovery into business impact What makes you the right fitPhD in chemistry, chemical biology, biotechnology or related field, with strong scientific breadth across small molecule discovery and complementary innovation domains.10+ years of leadership experience in discovery organizations, preferably scent, flavors or pharma, with a proven track record of delivering novel molecules into development pipelines.Demonstrated ability to lead and integrate multiple discovery paradigms, including experimental chemistry, nature-inspired or bio-based innovation or computational / AI-driven designExtensive experience managing complex, multi-pro...