driven by curiosity. defined by results.
push the boundaries of what can be
achieved in a Sensient R&D career
Want to shape innovation instead of just supporting it? Then you belong on the Sensient Research & Development (R&D) team.
You’ll work in an environment that encourages experimentation, rewards curiosity, and gives you the room to grow your expertise
while creating solutions people can’t get through the day without.
everything you do will touch every life
At Sensient, your ideas don’t sit on a shelf. They show up in products found in homes, stores, and communities around the world. From the
foods families love to the personal care items they rely on, your work becomes part of the moments that shape their days and nights.
plant-based applications
ice cream
As the market leader in frozen dessert flavors, extracts, ingredients, and formulations, we fuel the future of taste and texture.
lipsticks
With our premium pigments, bases, emollients, pearls, and fillers, we have all the ingredients to bring a show stopping lip product to life.
savory solutions
We bring together flavorist expertise and science to lead the way in savory innovation, combining cross-category insight and flavor systems to deliver bold taste and visual appeal.
Sensient is a fantastic place to get into research and development because you get to touch so many different products and work with so many different brands. If you want to take on a new challenge, you can move within the team to put your bold curiosity to work on a different project.
Application Scientist
within R&D, we have a number of teams for
you to do amazing work
No matter which team you're on, you'll be empowered to learn, grow, and make a global impact from day one.
Analytics Team
The research you’ll lead, using instrumentation like HPLC, GC, and GC-MS, will ensure both technical excellence and financial success beyond anything thought possible.
Flavor Creation Team
Develop innovative flavors across diverse market segments, including Beverage, Savory, and Sweet. You’ll develop impactful, tailored solutions that will exceed market expectations.
Sensory Team
Design and execute next-level sensory and consumer research. By delivering actionable insights, you’ll provide an entirely new level of understanding of our products and the consumers who use them.
No matter which team you're on, you’ll be empowered to learn, grow, and
make a global impact from day one.
3 questions for a R&D expert
Take a deeper dive into food science with Erika James, Application Scientist.
-
How does R&D fit into the big picture at Sensient?
A: Every day is an exciting challenge of crafting new ingredients and food products. This can take the form of developing a new product, adapting an existing one to remove an unwanted ingredient, extending shelf life, or helping to scale up a home recipe or back-of-house foodservice recipe.
-
Do you think of food science as an art form?
A: Food science blends creativity with chemistry. You have to imagine bold flavor combinations that elevate a category, not just calculate them. Taste is subjective, so crafting something that hits exactly what a customer wants or surprises them with something delightfully new, is as much art as science.
-
What advice would you give future food scientists?
Stay hungry, literally and metaphorically. Keep seeking inspiration. Engage in as many different food experiences as you can. It’s all “for science.”
I get the opportunity to coach and teach my team on the development of products from cookies and cakes to icings and compound coatings, seasonings, macaroni and cheese, and even cereals. The work we do is incredibly fun.
Technical Services Manager
-
our stories We work together in person to put the needs of our customers first and get results. Be different. Be Sensient. -
Lorem Ipsum 2 Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. -
Lorem Ipsum 2 Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. -
-
the Americas We offer multiple locations across the United States, Latin America, and Canada. Choose the one you’re most interested in to learn more about it and see available roles. -
EMEA region We offer multiple locations across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Choose the one you’re most interested in to learn more about it and see available roles. -
APAC region We offer multiple locations across the Asia-Pacific region. Choose the one you’re most interested in to learn more about it and see available roles. -
who we are We’re on a mission across the globe to unlock the potential of our customers’ food, pharmaceutical, and personal care products. -
what we do We develop and manufacture flavors, colors, and extracts that bring our customers’ products to life. Our products positively impact the daily experience of millions. -
tips for your application Interested in applying to join us, but not sure how to begin? We’ve compiled a list of tips and advice from some current employees to help you get started. -
sustainability Sustainability is central to our mission at Sensient. Everyone here is dedicated to working together to bring sustainable innovations to the world. This includes vegan flavors, low-carbon products, natural and organic ingredients, and so much more. -
careers in research & development Where innovation is born and applied. If you’re an analytic thinker, scientific researcher, and driven winner, our Research and Development (R&D) department is where you can take control of your career. -
learning & development We offer a variety of unmatched opportunities for training designed to help you develop your skills. Each program is tailored to specific areas of focus and intended to bring out your best while setting you up for a long, exciting, and fruitful career at Sensient. Take control of your future and learn more about our development programs. -
key hiring areas at Sensient Technologies Many paths to success. With a variety of categories and locations, it’s important to find the role that fits you best. -
global locations At Sensient, we believe in the power of collaborating face-to-face, in person. With locations around the world, we offer plenty of opportunities to build the career that best suits you. Learn more about our global locations. -
faq You have questions? here are our answers to the most frequently asked questions people have about a career with Sensient. -
-
coaching at Sensient Having a strong coaching culture is a top priority for Sensient. We are committed to helping our employees grow and develop in their roles to meet their future career goals. -
sales careers Are you ambitious with a competitive spirit? Do you want to be rewarded for your hard work and results? Does your professional success matter to you? If so, join Sensient’s elite sales team. -
-
-
-
working at juneau Discover what makes working at the Juneau, WI facility unique! With a rich history, and a close-knit team of under 100 employees, this location offers a collaborative work environment where personal connections thrive. -
Why Sensient? -
working in st. louis Discover what it's like working at our Colors Headquarters! With a dynamic work environment, you’ll have opportunities to learn, grow, and contribute with a focus on innovation and career development. -
your future starts at Sensient Unleash the power of bold flavors and bright colors and experience the thrill of developing products that are essential to hundreds of millions of users. Learn more about who we are and how our teams work together to create innovative solutions. -
-
career growth at Sensient Unlock your potential with Sensient's growth programs. Bring your grit, and we'll teach you the rest. Explore opportunities in research, sales, manufacturing, and more. -
career changers: build a sales career at Sensient For driven professionals ready to turn expertise into sales success at Sensient. -
early days at Sensient Success starts here. Explore Sensient’s world-class onboarding experience built to help you feel welcomed, prepared, and supported from your first day onward. -
our business goal at Sensient Discover how Sensient’s technology, scale, and people power innovation across food, beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and industrial applications—shaping products used every day around the world. -
discover Sensient's culture: innovation, collaboration, and growth Explore the culture at Sensient, where innovation, collaboration, and customer focus drive success. Learn how employees grow their careers, take ownership, and thrive through continuous learning. -
sales training programs: fast-track your career with Sensient Learn about Sensient's Sales Rep Trainee Program and Inside Sales Representative roles. Gain hands-on training, mentorship, career growth opportunities, and the skills to build a successful sales career. -
a performance culture built on ownership and results At Sensient, performance isn’t optional. People take ownership, deliver results, and continuously improve. It’s a culture that challenges you and supports you to go further. -
natural colors are changing the industry: how Sensient is leading the transition Discover how natural colors are reshaping the industry. Learn how Sensient’s expertise and long-term investment help customers navigate the shift from synthetic to natural colors while driving future growth. -
working at amboy Discover what makes our Amboy, Illinois facility a great place to build a career. We create sweet flavor solutions for chocolates, baked goods, beverages, and more. Join a growing team creating products enjoyed around the world. -
in-office culture at Sensient Five days in the office isn't for everyone. Learn why Sensient associates believe working together in person leads to stronger collaboration, faster learning, meaningful relationships, and career growth. -
tech and innovation at Sensient Technology, collaboration, and expertise come together at Sensient to turn ideas into industry-leading solutions. -
working at kingston Learn more about our Canadian Colors site in Kingston, Ontario, where we create innovative color solutions for customers across Canada and the U.S. Explore our growing facility, career opportunities, and commitment to innovation. -

stay connected
Don't miss what's next at Sensient. Sign up for job alerts and join our Talent Community to receive updates on relevant opportunities, upcoming events, and insights into the people, products, and careers that make an impact every day.
Sign Up