Scientist in Smell Psychophysics & Olfactometry

Work Location: Satigny, Switzerland
Hybrid

As innovators in nutrition, health, and beauty, dsm-firmenich reinvents, manufactures, and combines vital nutrients, flavors, and fragrances for the world’s growing population to thrive. With our comprehensive range of solutions, with natural and renewable ingredients and renowned science and technology capabilities, we work to create what is essential for life, desirable for consumers, and more sustainable for the planet. dsmfirmenich is a Swiss-Dutch company, listed on the Euronext Amsterdam, with operations in almost 60 countries and revenues of more than €12 billion. With a diverse, worldwide team of nearly 30,000 employees, we bring progress to life™ every day, everywhere, for billions of people.
At dsm-firmenich, being a force for good is not optional. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion is a shared responsibility woven into our daily work to not only benefit our People, Customers & Communities but also drive business value. Equal access to opportunities is a given, belonging is a shared feeling, authenticity is celebrated.

We are seeking a Scientist with deep technical expertise in Olfactory Perception and
Psychophysics. This role focuses on advancing our understanding of the perceptual, cognitive, and mechanistic processes that underlie all aspects of odor perception. The successful candidate will lead a small team and innovative research program, collaborate with multidisciplinary R&D teams, and translate rigorous perceptual science into actionable insights for fragrance innovation. If you are passionate about olfactory science and human chemosensory perception, we encourage you to apply and join our global Perception & Cognitive Neuroscience team.

Key Responsibilities:
Design, implement, and oversee a broad range of olfactory psychophysical assessments from fundamental tests such as detection thresholds to the development and application of innovative perceptual paradigms that probe temporal dynamics, mixture interactions, odor quality perception, and other higher-order aspects of odor perception.
Analyse and interpret perceptual and psychophysical data using advanced statistical
and computational approaches.
Present results and ideas to peers and business partners; produce high-quality lab
reports, manuscripts and patents.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate research findings into product
development and innovation strategies
Contribute to the evolution of methodological standards and best practices in olfactory
psychophysics within the organization.
Lead and develop the team through clear objectives and capability building to support
high performance and future growth.

You Bring:
Ph.D. (or equivalent experience) in Psychology or a related field that includes
psychophysics
5-10 years of research experience in olfactory perception
Experience in an industrial setting and creating business value from science
Proficiency in behavioral and psychophysical research methods (e.g., threshold
measurement, signal detection theory, adaptive methods) and advanced statistical
analysis
Proficiency in a programming or scripting language (e.g., R, Python, Matlab) will be a plus
Proven experience leading and optimizing olfactometry platforms, including system
validation, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement of stimulus delivery performance.
Fluency in English
Excellent communication and organization skills
Track record of people management and leadership skills
Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced, dynamic
environment
Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

We Bring:
Being part of an interdisciplinary team of industry-leading researchers.
A diversity of exciting projects related to foods and fragranced products.
The opportunity to work for a highly socially responsible company where sustainability is much more than a claim and is core to our strategy and purpose.
Career development opportunities with great opportunities to learn and grow.
To be part of a company shaping a strong legacy through breakthrough industrial innovations and technology.

Equal Opportunity Employer
dsm-firmenich is fully dedicated to inclusion because when people feel engaged and empowered, their creativity and innovation drives unprecedented progress. We aim to build a workplace where opportunity really is equal, so everyone can thrive. We do not discriminate: there’s a place for everyone at dsm-firmenich.
As a committed equal opportunity employer, we ensure our recruitment practices are inclusive and fair. We encourage the recruitment of a diverse workforce, representative of the communities in which we work, by using inclusive language, diverse interview panels, diversified sourcing strategies. Selection is based on qualifications, competency, experience, performance history and fit with the team to advance fair and equitable opportunity.
Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of an applicant's race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, backgrounds, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law.
We are committed to providing reasonable support for disabled applicants in our recruiting process. Should you need assistance, and are comfortable to share this, please let us know.