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Senior Food Scientist Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

Senior Scientist I

Durham, NC ยท On-site

$88K - $120K/yr

Join our mission of revolutionizing food security and transforming agriculture. At Syngenta, our ... To support this mission, Syngenta is seeking a Senior Scientist in Durham, NC. This role will be ...

Senior Scientist I

Durham, NC

$88K - $120K/yr

Join our mission of revolutionizing food security and transforming agriculture. At Syngenta, our ... To support this mission, Syngenta is seeking a Senior Scientist in Durham, NC. This role will be ...

Senior Scientist I

Durham, NC ยท On-site

$88K - $120K/yr

Join our mission of revolutionizing food security and transforming agriculture. At Syngenta, our ... To support this mission, Syngenta is seeking a Senior Scientist in Durham, NC. This role will be ...

Join our worldwide teams of agricultural pioneers in creating a more resilient and equitable food ... In this senior individual-contributor role, you will: * Solve complex problems across crop growth ...

Plant Manager

Middlesex, NC ยท On-site

$135K - $155K/yr

Collaborate with senior management to develop and execute plant strategies * aligned with company ... Degree in Food Science, Engineering, or equivalent work experience

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Showing results 1-20

Senior Food Scientist information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$53.9K

$116.2K

$169.1K

How much do senior food scientist jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior food scientist in Raleigh, NC is $116,160.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $98,700.00 and $145,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a senior food scientist do?

A Senior Food Scientist leads research and development efforts to create new food products, improve existing ones, and ensure food safety and quality. They analyze ingredients, develop formulations, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet regulatory standards and consumer preferences. Additionally, they may oversee lab testing, troubleshoot production issues, and optimize manufacturing processes. Their role requires a strong understanding of food chemistry, sensory evaluation, and industry trends.

What are the common career growth opportunities for a senior food scientist?

As a Senior Food Scientist, you can advance into roles such as Principal Scientist, R&D Manager, or Director of Product Innovation, depending on your organization's structure. Many professionals also move into specialized areas like regulatory affairs, quality assurance leadership, or global product strategy. Gaining experience with large-scale product launches and leading multidisciplinary teams can enhance your qualifications for these advanced positions. Continuous learning and staying updated with industry trends further support long-term career progression.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the senior food scientist position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Food Scientist, you need a thorough understanding of food chemistry, product development, and food safety regulations, typically backed by an advanced degree in food science or a related field. Experience with laboratory instrumentation, sensory evaluation techniques, and regulatory compliance software is often required, along with certifications such as HACCP or SQF. Strong project management, leadership, and effective communication skills help you coordinate across cross-functional teams and mentor junior staff. These abilities are vital to drive innovative product development, ensure regulatory compliance, and support the commercial success of food products.

Is there a demand for senior food scientists?

There is strong demand for senior food scientists due to ongoing innovation in food products, safety regulations, and consumer health trends. Employers seek experienced professionals with skills in product development, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance, often requiring advanced degrees and industry certifications. Job opportunities are available in food manufacturing, research institutions, and consulting firms.

What is a senior food scientist?

A senior food scientist is a professional responsible for developing, testing, and improving food products, often leading research projects and ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards. They typically have advanced knowledge of food chemistry, microbiology, and processing techniques, and may oversee junior staff or collaborate with cross-functional teams.

What are the most commonly searched types of Food Scientist jobs in Raleigh, NC?

The most popular types of Food Scientist jobs in Raleigh, NC are:

What are popular job titles related to Senior Food Scientist jobs in Raleigh, NC?

For Senior Food Scientist jobs in Raleigh, NC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Senior Food Scientist jobs in Raleigh, NC look for?

The top searched job categories for Senior Food Scientist jobs in Raleigh, NC are:

What cities near Raleigh, NC are hiring for Senior Food Scientist jobs?

Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most Senior Food Scientist job openings:

Infographic showing various Senior Food Scientist job openings in Raleigh, NC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 72% Full Time, 27% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $116,160 per year, or $55.8 per hour.

Senior Scientist I

Syngenta

Durham, NC โ€ข On-site

$88K - $120K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 20 days ago


Job description

Company Description

About Syngentaย 

At Syngenta Seeds Field Crops,ย we'reย shaping the future of agriculture and empowering farmers to meet the ever-growing demand for food and fuel.ย We'reย a global Ag Tech powerhouse, headquartered in the United States, with passionate, local experts collaborating with farmers to deliver solutions that create market opportunities.ย ย We unite precision breeding, advanced biotechnology trait choice, and digital platforms for unmatched in-field performance.ย ย Our seeds help mitigate risks such as disease,ย insect,ย weed, and extreme weather pressures, all while promoting sustainable farming practices that protect and enhance our planet. Join our mission of revolutionizing food security and transforming agriculture.ย 

Job Description

At Syngenta, our goal is to build the most collaborative and trustworthy team in agriculture, providing top-quality seeds and innovative crop protection solutions that improve farmers' success. To support this mission, Syngenta is seeking a Senior Scientist in Durham, NC. This role will be responsible for establishing high throughput bioassays on multiple pathogens including plant parasitic nematodes in lab and Greenhouse environments. As well as drive the discovery, development, and delivery of innovative biotech disease-resistant traits by conducting hands-on experiments, collaborating with key experts and functions both within and outside of Syngenta.

Accountabilities:

  • Design, execute, and analyze laboratory, greenhouse, and field experiments to evaluate crop resistance and tolerance to plant diseases, including soybean cyst nematode.
  • Lead disease screening activities, including inoculum collection, culture maintenance, inoculation, disease assessment, and data reporting.
  • Drive the discovery and development of innovative traits and solutions that address critical disease challenges in agriculture.
  • Develop and validate disease resistance and susceptibility correlations across multiple environments and testing systems.
  • Generate hypotheses, design experiments, and provide data-driven recommendations to advance research and breeding objectives.
  • Serve as a plant pathology and nematology subject matter expert, identifying and implementing best practices, new technologies, and scientific advancements.
  • Collaborate across multidisciplinary teams to communicate results, influence key decisions, and deliver solutions that meet grower and business needs.
Qualifications
  • Ph.D. in Plant Pathology, Nematology, Genetics, Genomics, or a related scientific field.
  • 4+ years of experience in crop resistance research focused on plant parasitic nematodes.
  • Strong knowledge of molecular plant immunity, crop genetics, and plant pathology.
  • Hands-on experience conducting laboratory, greenhouse, and field research studies.
  • Experience designing, executing, and interpreting complex scientific experiments.
  • Proven ability to solve scientific challenges using data-driven approaches and innovative thinking.
  • Expertise in nematode production, infection assays, phenotyping, and data analysis.
  • Experience managing research projects and delivering results within established timelines.
  • Strong communication skills with the ability to present scientific findings to diverse audiences.
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary team environment.
Additional Information

What We Offer:ย 

  • A culture that celebrates belonging and collaboration, promotes professional development and strives for a work-life balance that supports the team members. Offers flexible work options to support your work and personal needs.ย 
  • Full Benefit Package (Medical,ย Dentalย & Vision) that starts your first day.ย 
  • 401k plan with company match, Profit Sharing & Retirement Savings Contribution.ย 
  • Paid Vacation, Paid Holidays, Maternity and Paternity Leave, Education Assistance, Wellness Programs, Corporate Discounts, among other benefits.ย 

Syngenta has been ranked as aย top employerย by Science Journal. Learn more about ourย teamย and our mission here:ย https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVCN_51GbNIย 

Syngenta is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training,ย promotionย or any other employment practices for reasons ofย race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.ย 

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