Are you passionate about analytical chemistry and eager to understand dairy products at the molecular level? Do you enjoy working with advanced chromatographic techniques, particularly GC-MS and GC-FID, and would you like to further develop your expertise in HPLC and UPLC applications?

Within FrieslandCampina's Food Analytics & Functionality team, we are looking for a Research Analyst Analytical Chemistry who will contribute to the development of innovative dairy products and ingredients. Through advanced analytical techniques such as GC-MS, GC-HRMS, HPLC and LC-MS, you will investigate volatile compounds, lipids, proteins, carbohydrates and other dairy components in complex food matrices.

Your analyses provide essential insights into product functionality, stability, flavour quality and consumer experience.

As part of multidisciplinary project teams, you will perform high-quality analytical work, contribute to method improvements, support troubleshooting activities and provide scientific insights that enable successful product innovation across FrieslandCampina's global portfolio.

What we ask

• Minimal BSc degree in Analytical Chemistry, Food Technology, Life Sciences or a related;
• 2+ years of experience in an industrial or research laboratory environment;
• Hands-on experience with gas chromatography techniques (GC-MS) is required;
• Experience with HPLC, UPLC or other LC-based analytical methods is preferred or motivation to develop expertise in these techniques;
• Experience with sample preparation and analysis of complex food matrices;
• Affinity with method optimization, troubleshooting and equipment maintenance;
• Strong interest in analytical data interpretation and scientific problem solving;
• Strong digital skills and interest in laboratory automation and digitalization;
• Good written and verbal communication skills in English;
• A proactive, accurate and pragmatic team player who takes ownership and enjoys collaborating across disciplines.

What we offer

At FrieslandCampina you work on strong, globally loved brands enjoyed by millions every day, like Friso, Campina, Chocomel and Frisian Flag. As a farmer-owned cooperative, we combine an international environment with a clear social and sustainable purpose. We support your growth through training, coaching and internal career opportunities. With trust and autonomy, you can make real impact. Employment benefits:

• Salary between €3,250 and €4,400 gross per month (full-time), depending on experience and fit for the role.
• A work week of 32 to 38 hours, a 5% year-end allowance, 10% company performance-based bonus, 8% holiday allowance and a pension scheme, a train card and/or €0.23 per km (max. 30 km one way).
• 200 hours of annual leave, with the option to buy or sell up to 40 hours.
• Various training and coaching programs to support your development and help you shape your own professional career path;
• An innovative working environment where digitalization and data‑driven research are increasingly important.

Vacancy description

As a Research Analyst Analytical Chemistry, you support research projects, product development programs and business support activities across FrieslandCampina. As a specialist in chromatographic analysis, you generate analytical insights that support innovation, product understanding and technical problem solving across our dairy portfolio.

In this role, you will combine hands-on laboratory work with data interpretation and scientific problem solving to support innovation and product development across FrieslandCampina's dairy portfolio.

• Independently plan, prepare and execute analytical experiments using chromatographic techniques such as GC-MS, GC-FID and HPLC.
• Perform qualitative and quantitative analyses of volatile compounds, fatty acids, lipids, proteins and carbohydrates in dairy products, ingredients and related food matrices.
• Interpret analytical data, identify trends, draw conclusions and communicate findings and recommendations to project teams. 
• Support innovation, shelf-life studies, product optimization and root cause investigations by identifying drivers of product performance, flavour changes, stability issues and other quality-related challenges. 
• Contribute to the development, validation and continuous improvement of analytical methods and workflows. 
• Act as equipment owner for designated analytical instruments, including maintenance, troubleshooting and interactions with suppliers and service providers. 
• Ensure high-quality analytical results through adherence to laboratory standards, best practices and continuous improvement initiatives. 
• Contribute to laboratory digitalization, automation and the evaluation and implementation of new analytical technologies.

Want to work with colleagues from 32 nationalities in R&D who work together intensively in an inspiring environment? Then here is your opportunity. Our Innovation Centre in Wageningen consists of four parts: a large pilot plant with cooling and storage warehouses and three buildings in which the offices and the strictly hygienic laboratories are housed. Pedestrian bridges and atriums connect the different parts with each other. The centre also includes an experience centre, an innovation kitchen and a test bakery. Here, consumers, customers and employees of FrieslandCampina from all over the world can experience our tasty products. In order to accelerate and strengthen our innovation process, we also work together with innovation partners such as Wageningen University & Research, other knowledge institutes, our member dairy farmers, customers and suppliers in the Innovation Centre. 

As an analyst within the Food Analytics & Functionality cluster, you will be part of the R&D Product & Taste expert team, consisting of approximately 40 colleagues across Wageningen and Singapore. The team combines expertise in analytical chemistry, food physics, sensory science and consumer behaviour to support the development of innovative dairy products and ingredients.

Working closely with multidisciplinary project teams, you will contribute analytical insights that help optimize flavour, functionality, stability and product performance across FrieslandCampina's portfolio.

Learn more about our innovation center here:

https://www.frieslandcampina.com/about-us/innovation/innovation-centre-wageningen/