Senior pharmaceutical botanist

Location: Arbon, Switzerland Department: Nutreco’s Exploration, NutEx Job Type: Full time Start: June 2025

Job summary

The pharmaceutical botanist will be instrumental in the discovery and development of botanical derived food additives, referred to as PhytoComplexes, under the brand name EDGEOS. This position involves research, exploration, analysis and experimentation to identify and validate bioactive compounds from plants that can be used in feed additive formulation. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in botany, biochemistry, pharmacognosy and food sciences, with a solid understanding of complexity science and its implications on product efficacy.

Key responsibilities

Research and analysis:

• Conduct thorough literature reviews to identify potential plant species suitable for use as PhytoComplexes in feed additives.
• Characterize bioactive compounds from plant materials using techniques such as chromatography and spectroscopy.

Experimentation:

• Design and execute laboratory experiments to evaluate the efficacy and safety of plant derived PhytoComplexes.
• Collaborate with chemists and developers to formulate PhytoComplexes and integrate them in feed effectively.

Appreciating complexity:

• Apply principles of complexity science to assess the interactions between various compounds within PhytoComplexes and their holistic effects on feed systems and animal welfare, health and performance.
• Appreciate the multifaceted nature of plants and their potential impact on animals.

Documentation and reporting

• Maintain detailed laboratory notebooks and data records of research findings.
• Prepare comprehensive reports and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.

Collaboration

• In NutEx, collaboration and collaborative mindset are paramount. The role will work closely with cross functional teams, including animal specialists, chemists, marketing teams, regulatory affair specialists, to support product development and market entry for EDGEOS.
• Participate in scientific discussions and contribute to research proposals.

Regulatory compliance

• Ensure that all research activities comply with relevant food safety regulations and guidelines.
• Assist in preparing documentation for regulatory submissions related to new phytocomplexes under the EDGEOS brand.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Senior profile, MsC, PhD is a plus.
• Master's/PhD degree in Botany, Phytochemistry, Ethnobotany or related field.
• Extensive experience in laboratory research.
• Solid understanding of plant biology and pharmacology.
• Strong background in phytochemistry and natural product chemistry.
• Familiarity with advanced analytical techniques such as chromatography and mass spectrometry.
• Proven track record of published research in relevant scientific journals.
• Experience with fieldwork and plant specimen collection.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated passion for sustainable and ethical practices in research.