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Senior Scientist, Human Milk Research

City: Evansville

We are Reckitt

Home to the world's best loved and trusted hygiene, health, and nutrition brands. Our purpose defines why we exist: to protect, heal and nurture in the relentless pursuit of a cleaner, healthier world. We are a global team united by this purpose. Join us in our fight to make access to the highest quality hygiene, wellness, and nourishment a right and not a privilege.

Research & Development

In Research and Development, we're full of highly skilled talents that include Scientists, Engineers, Medical, Clinical and Regulatory professionals - all working to create a cleaner, healthier world. With nine Centres of Excellence, we continually seek out new opportunities by using science, our entrepreneurial flare and our fearless innovation to develop and enhance our existing portfolio, never compromising on quality or performance.

We do the right thing, always, by ensuring we act with responsibility and integrity, by complying with regulatory legislation across the globe, whilst ensuring our products are safe for our consumers and are to the highest quality.

The size of our organisation means you'll have the opportunity to learn and work in different functions within R&D, giving you exposure to different disciplines, teams and environments. You will also have access to our Research and Development Academy, designed to develop our team and allow you to grow in our great organisation.

About the role

Human milk is a highly complex and dynamic biological system, and understanding its role in early-life health is a critical scientific priority. Mead Johnson Nutrition is seeking a Senior Scientist to join its Human Milk Preclinical Research team in Evansville, Indiana, to advance discovery science exploring how human milk shapes infant health outcomes. The first 1,000 days of life are a crucial period for neurocognitive, immune, and microbiome development, with lifelong implications, and human milk plays a central role in these processes. This role calls for deep expertise in milk biology and nutrition, along with proficiency in modern research tools and a passion for hypothesis-driven science. The successful candidate will design innovative studies, collaborate with leading academic and R&D partners, and translate scientific insights into real-world nutritional solutions that can impact global health across the lifespan.

Your responsibilities

Lead rigorous research on human milk composition, function, and its impact on infant and lifelong health outcomes
Design and execute innovative, hypothesis-driven experiments using advanced analytical platforms and biological models
Translate scientific discoveries into actionable product innovations across infant, child, and adult nutrition
Establish thought leadership through publications, conferences, and engagement in scientific forums
Build and maintain strategic collaborations with leading academic, clinical, and technology partners
Serve as a key scientific partner across R&D and business teams, ensuring innovations are grounded in strong evidence
Oversee global human milk biorepository operations, ensuring sample integrity, data quality, and ethical compliance
Leverage cutting-edge methods, including multi-omics and AI-driven analytics, to accelerate discovery and modernize research workflows

The experience we're looking for

Advanced degree (Ph.D. preferred, M.S. considered) in biology, nutrition, biochemistry, food science, or a related life science field
3+ years of research experience in human milk biology, lactation science, nutrition, or a closely related discipline
Expertise in analytical techniques (e.g., omics) and/or experimental biological models (in vitro, in vivo, in silico)
Hands-on laboratory mindset with willingness to actively engage in bench research
Demonstrated scientific impact through peer-reviewed publications, presentations, or patents
Experience managing and delivering successful research collaborations
Proficiency with digital tools and AI-enabled data analysis methods
Strong communication skills, with the ability to convey complex concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences, combined with curiosity, collaboration, and a focus on translating science into real-world impact

This role is not currently sponsoring visas or considering international movement at this time.

The skills for success

Commercial Awareness, Collaborator, Product Lifecycle Management, Regulatory, Ability to challenge the status quo, Propose improvement, Accountability, Adaptability, Business Strategy, Objective Setting, Consumer Needs, Change Leadership, Task Execution Under Pressure, Business Partnership, Collaboration, Partnership building.

What we offer

With inclusion at the heart of everything we do, working alongside our four global Employee Resource Groups, we support our people at every step of their career journey, helping them to succeed in their own individual way. We invest in the wellbeing of our people through parental benefits, an Employee Assistance Program to promote mental health, and life insurance for all employees globally. We have a range of other benefits in line with the local market. Through our global share plans we offer the opportunity to save and share in Reckitt's potential future successes. For eligible roles, we also offer short-term incentives to recognise, appreciate and reward your work for delivering outstanding results. You will be rewarded in line with Reckitt's pay for performance philosophy.

Salary Range

USD $99,000.00 - $149,000.00

Pay Transparency

The base salary range for this role will vary based on experience in job and industry, training and education, skills relevant to the position, and other factors permitted by law. In addition to the base salary, the position is eligible for an annual discretionary bonus, which is subject to change each year. Reckitt offers eligible employees competitive benefits including medical, prescription, dental, vision, and life and disability insurance; paid time off for vacation, sick and Company recognized holidays; a 401(k) plan; 16-week paid parental leave or 26 weeks for the birthing parent; adoption and fertility support; tuition reimbursement; discounts; and much more. Our compensation and benefits packages aim to give our talent the reward, protection, and peace of mind they deserve. If reasonable accommodation is needed to complete your application, please contact NAtalentacquisition@reckitt.com. Reckitt is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals.

Equality

We recognise that in real life, great people don't always 'tick all the boxes'. That's why we hire for potential as well as experience. Even if you don't meet every point on the job description, if this role and our company feels like a good fit for you, we still want to hear from you. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, disability or medical condition; colour, ethnicity, race, citizenship, and national origin; religion, faith; pregnancy, family status and caring responsibilities; sexual orientation; sex, gender identity, gender expression, and transgender identity; protected veteran status; size or any other basis protected by appropriate law.

Nearest Major Market: Evansville
Job Segment: Clinical Research, Medical Research, Nutrition, Counseling, Neurology, Healthcare