Lead Data Scientist

The Lead Data Scientist will lead the design, development, localization, and production deployment of advanced machine learning, generative AI, and agentic solutions for IFF’s Scent business. Working across R&D, formulation, and other business domains, this role will translate complex scientific and business needs into robust models, reusable components, and intuitive AI-enabled applications. The position will adapt globally developed internal AI capabilities for the Chinese market as well as rapidly evaluate and applying state-of-the-art methods to IFF data and use cases. As a data scientist first, the successful candidate must have a strong foundation in Statistics, ML, and AI and preferably have a quantitative STEM background with sufficient scientific fluency to support chemistry-related work, and the technical leadership to collaborate with scientific specialists, guide junior data scientists, and deliver independently within a global, cross-functional organization.

IFF is committed to attracting, retaining, and engaging high-performing employees. We are committed to ensuring that all positions within IFF are filled with the right talent and, where appropriate, this objective is achieved by developing current employees.

At IFF, we encourage internal movement and career development both within functions and cross functions. We work to ensure the most positive experience throughout the application, hiring and transition process for all those involved, the candidate as well as their current manager and the hiring manager.

Job Summary

Looking for a role that challenges you while making an impact on products people use every day? We are seeking a highly skilled Lead Data Scientist to develop and deliver advanced AI and machine learning solutions for the Scent business. In this role, you will translate scientific and business needs into production-ready models and AI-enabled applications, rapidly applying state-of-the-art methods to IFF problems and data. You will be a key driver of our data science delivery engine, accelerating innovation across R&D, formulation, and other business domains.

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 (agile 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’ll Make a Difference

In this role, you will play a critical role in transforming how scientific and business work is performed by embedding AI and machine learning into decision-making and execution. You will lead the translation of complex problems into robust models, reusable components, and intuitive AI-enabled applications as well as help build scalable and differentiated data science capability for IFF.

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities

• Lead the end-to-end design, development, evaluation, and production delivery of advanced machine learning, generative AI, and agentic solutions, translating scientific and business problems into robust, reusable capabilities rather than one-off analyses.
• Rapidly replicate, evaluate, and apply state-of-the-art published methods and models to IFF data and use cases; establish reproducible pipelines, evaluation harnesses, and clear performance criteria to maintain scientific rigor, delivery speed, and technical quality.
• Collaborate closely with the AI Chemist Lead on R&D chemistry and molecular discovery as well as adapt AI applications in the Creative and Consumer domains to the Chinese market.

What Makes You the Right Fit

• PhD or master’s degree in data science, computer science, machine learning, statistics, engineering, chemistry, physics, computational biology, or another quantitative STEM discipline.
• 5+ years of applied data science or machine learning experience in industry, with demonstrated success delivering models and AI-enabled applications from problem definition through production use.
• Proven expertise in:
  • Machine learning, deep learning, statistical modeling, and rigorous model evaluation
  • Generative AI, foundation models, retrieval-augmented generation, and agentic workflows
  • Production ML engineering, reproducible pipelines, APIs, cloud platforms, and MLOps practices

• Solid understanding of:
  • Scientific data and workflows, with the ability to learn chemistry, formulation, and R&D contexts
  • Chinese AI models, local technology ecosystems, deployment constraints, and UX expectations

• Hands-on experience selecting, adapting, fine-tuning, and evaluating AI/ML models for domain-specific applications, including the ability to assess model performance, data quality, limitations, security, and business value.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, convert ambiguous needs into written technical specifications, and deliver reusable components and production solutions with measurable outcomes in a fast-paced, globally distributed environment.
• Strong technical leadership and credibility, with the ability to guide junior data scientists, operate as a peer to leading AI companies and internal experts, influence external partners, and collaborate effectively across data science, engineering, UX, scientific, and business teams.

How Would You Stand Out?

• Recognized applied data science expert, able to translate advanced AI and machine learning approaches into scalable scientific and business outcomes.
• Strong scientific and engineering judgment, capable of critically assessing models, data quality, architecture, user requirements, and operational constraints to drive robust decisions.
• Proven track record of delivering production AI/ML solutions and reusable components that improve innovation speed, decision quality, or workflow effectiveness.
• Deep familiarity with the Chinese AI ecosystem and experience localizing globally developed AI products for Chinese models, infrastructure, language, and user requirements.
• Collaborative and impact-driven leader, thriving at the intersection of data science, science, technology, and business to accelerate practical innovation.

Why Choose Us?

You will have:

• Opportunities to learn, develop, and expand your expertise across regions
• Be exposed to global projects and participation in worldwide initiatives.
• Receive competitive compensation and benefits package, including performance incentives.

Skills

Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Generative AI, Agentic Systems, Data Analysis, Statistical Modeling, Model Evaluation, Python, Scientific Computing, Data Engineering, MLOps, Cloud Platforms, API Development, Research Methodologies, User-Centered Product Development, Stakeholder Expectation Management, Systems and Tools - Research and Development

Competencies

Business insight (5 - Contributing Through Others), Cultivates innovation (5 - Contributing Through Others), Decision quality (5 - Contributing Through Others), Directs work (6 - Contributing Through Others), Manages complexity (6 - Contributing Through Others), Optimizes work processes (4 - Contributing Independently), Strategic mindset (4 - Contributing Independently)

We are a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition, offering our customers a broader range of natural solutions and accelerating our growth strategy. At IFF, we believe that your uniqueness unleashes our potential. We value the diverse mosaic of the ethnicity, national origin, race, age, sex, or veteran status. We strive for an inclusive workplace that allows each of our colleagues to bring their authentic self to work regardless of their religion, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation, or disability.

Visit IFF.com/careers/workplace-diversity-and-inclusion to learn more