Senior Scientist - Decatur, IL

Company: Archer Daniels Midland
Location: Decatur
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

Senior Scientist - Decatur, IL Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt Position Overview ADM is a global leader in plant-based nutrition, offering innovative solutions that meet consumer demand for great taste, texture, and health. As a Senior Scientist – Food Processing, you will play a critical role in advancing ADM’s research and development efforts in plant-based ingredients. Using cutting-edge laboratory technologies, you will focus on ingredient and material characterization of Plant Protein Ingredients during Extraction and Extrusion processes to drive innovation and productivity projects that achieve commercial success. This position reports to the Technical Director of Food Processing Technology within the Human Nutrition Research team. Key Responsibilities Innovation & Characterization Develop and implement advanced characterization techniques to understand the structure/function and performance of feed ingredients, intermediates and protein extrudates in food applications - Conduct hands-on analytical testing to characterize materials Leverage scientifically valid approaches to develop and refine ingredient characterization methodologies Evaluate and acquire new instruments and technologies for ingredient characterization - ensuring safe commissioning, SOP development, and compliance with safety standards. Design and execute benchtop scale trials to assess new and improved protein extraction or extrusion process Stay abreast of industry trends and identify emerging technologies to enhance ADM’s R&D capabilities. Collaborate with other experts within ADM Research (Material Science, Analytical) and with outside Innovation and Academic Partners to solve technical problems Assist our Operations and Manufacturing partners with trouble shooting and root-cause analysis for issues at Industrial Scale Data-Driven Research Collaborate with extrusion and extraction teams to guide the capture and analysis of data during trials – providing insights to enable achievement of project goals. Organize and manage trial data to support advanced analytics and future experimental planning. Partner with data scientists to derive insights and inform decision-making for new product and process development. Act as the Subject Matter Expert for statistical analysis and scientific experimental design Project Leadership Lead R&D projects from concept to commercialization, including experimental design, data analysis, and stakeholder communication. Document and communicate results through accurate trial documentation and reporting Utilize project management tools to effectively manage projects Safety & Compliance Champion lab safety by maintaining compliance with safety protocols, documentation, and training. Qualifications Education & Experience M.S or Ph.D. in Food Science, Food Engineering, or a related field. 5 years of experience in food processing, with a proven track record of developing and scaling food technologies from ideation to commercialization. Technical Expertise Expertise in plant-based food processing and extrusion technology. Strong knowledge of ingredient characterization methods and their application in food product development. Proficiency in data analysis and collaboration with data science teams. Other Skills & Attributes Excellent interpersonal and communication skills for cross-functional collaboration. Strong project management skills with the ability to lead multiple initiatives. A proactive mindset with a passion for innovation and problem-solving. Travel Requirements Willingness to travel globally up to 25%. Why Join ADM? Access to state-of-the-art R&D facilities and equipment. Opportunity to shape the future of plant-based food innovation. Collaborate with a diverse team of industry leaders and experts. Be part of a company committed to sustainability, innovation, and safety. 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:105667BR About ADM At ADM, we unlock the power of nature to provide access to nutrition worldwide. With industry-advancing innovations, a complete portfolio of ingredients and solutions to meet any taste, and a commitment to sustainability, we give customers an edge in solving the nutritional challenges of today and tomorrow. We’re a global leader in human and animal nutrition and the world’s premier agricultural origination and processing company. Our breadth, depth, insights, facilities and logistical expertise give us unparalleled capabilities to meet needs for food, beverages, health and wellness, and more. From the seed of the idea to the outcome of the solution, we enrich the quality of life the world over. Learn more at www.adm.com. IncludingYou Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging are cornerstones of ADM’s efforts to continue innovating, driving growth, and delivering outstanding performance. We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce and create welcoming, truly inclusive work environments — environments that enable every ADM colleague to feel comfortable on the job, make meaningful contributions to our success, and grow their career. We respect and value the unique backgrounds and experiences that each person can bring to ADM because we know that diversity of perspectives makes us better, together. We welcome everyone to apply. We are committed to ensuring all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, ethnicity, disability, religion, national origin, language, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law Benefits and Perks Enriching the quality of life for the world begins by taking care of our colleagues. In addition to competitive pay, we support your diverse needs with a comprehensive total rewards package to enhance your well-being, including: Physical wellness – medical/Rx, dental, vision and on-site wellness center access or gym reimbursement (as applicable). Financial wellness – flexible spending accounts, health savings account, 401(k) with matching contributions and cash balance plan, discounted employee stock purchasing program, life insurance, disability, workers’ compensation, legal assistance, identity theft protection. Mental and social wellness – Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and Colleague Giving Programs (ADM Cares). Additional benefits include: Paid time off including paid holidays. Adoption assistance and paid maternity and parental leave. Tuition assistance. Company-sponsored training and development resources, such as LinkedIn Learning, language training and mentoring programs. *Benefits may vary for bargained locations, confirm benefit eligibility with your recruiter. Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Hourly and salaried non-exempt employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours. If hired, employees will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors. The pay range for this position is expected to be between:

Keywords: Archer Daniels Midland, Champaign , Senior Scientist - Decatur, IL, Science, Research & Development , Decatur, Illinois