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Application Scientist I

St Louis, MO, US  
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Job ID 7212 Date posted 09/24/2026 Category Research and Development

Sensient Technologies Corporation is a global leader in colors, flavors, and extracts. Our R&D teams drive innovation by developing advanced systems, ingredients, and technologies that transform food, personal care, and pharmaceutical products. Join us to be part of a dynamic group shaping the future across a variety of teams, including:

Analytics Team: Lead flavor research and analysis using instrumentation like HPLC, GC, and GC-MS. Improve and develop lab workflows and methodologies. Mentor staff to ensure both technical excellence and financial success through collaborative efforts.

Flavor Creation Team: Develop innovative flavors across diverse market segments, including Beverage, Savory, and Sweet. Work closely with customers and our Applications Teams to deliver impactful, tailored solutions which drive growth and exceed market expectations.

Sensory Team: Design and execute sensory and consumer research to provide in-depth understanding of products and consumers for product development, optimization and maintenance. Conduct panels and apply statistical analysis to deliver actionable insights. Lead training of cross-functional teams and customers in flavor language.

Innovation Team: Utilize scientific expertise to develop cutting-edge ingredients, formulations, and technologies. Contribute to groundbreaking product advancements. Collaborate with a global network of Sensient scientists to shape our industry's future.

Applications Team: Partner with customers in labs and at their facilities to bring their product visions to life. Solve challenges, provide creative solutions to deliver innovative products which align with customer goals across various industries.

  • Job Type: Full Time
  • Job Level: Entry, Mid, Senior
  • Travel : Depends on Role

success profile

We are looking for team members who are:

  • Results-focused
  • Collaborative
  • Skilled communicators
  • Analytically rigorous
  • Detail-oriented
  • Intensely curious

Your journey

career path

This is a sample of the R&D Career paths at Sensient.

  • Lab Technician
  • Application Scientist (multiple levels)
  • Technical Service Manager (multiple levels)
  • Technical Director
  • Senior Technical Director or
  • Innovation Intern
  • Innovation Associate (multiple levels)
  • Innovation Scientist (multiple levels)
  • Innovations Manager

cultural points

The Sensient Six are the core values that drive us in our mission.

  • Entrepreneurial
  • Customer focused
  • Develop self and others
  • Collaborative
  • Results driven
  • Know your job
My job gives me the unique opportunity to develop products that I feel passionate about. Being part of an international team, with access to so much know-how and the most innovative technologies, encourages me every day to do my best and to drive innovation.
Lisa Innovation Manager, Germany

Application Scientist I

St Louis, MO, US  
Job ID 7212 Date posted September 23, 2026 Job Category Research and Development

Sensient is growing!  The Natural Color Conversion is here!!  We are adding an Adding an Application Scientist I to our team.  This exciting role will be strongly customer facing.  The Application Scientist will communicate directly with customers to not only identify the projects, but identify what is success in the customer’s eyes.  The Scientist will then present these solutions directly to the consumer.  In addition, the Scientist will sell the value of color to the consumer.  This customer interaction may be on the phone, with a customer visit to the Sensient labs or with the Scientist visiting the customer sites.

The Applications Scientist runs projects involving natural and synthetic colors and the conversion of synthetic colors to naturals color solutions in order to develop the technologies and application of these colorants to the food consumer market. This role acquires color knowledge to promote and build new, global natural color sales and reinforce existing ones by providing technical service to clients and prospects.  

What You'll Do:

  • Support the US Commercial team by communicating directly with customers to identify color projects, identify the goals of the project, the timing and what is success for the project.  This role will act independently of the Technical Service Manager, with direct communication with customers.   
  • Evaluate and match competitive natural and synthetic colors currently approved by the FDA. Perform stability studies and interpret results.  
  • Test not only the color blend, but production of finished food product and evaluation of the color stability in both matrixes.   Interpret the results and write reports summarizing these results.
  • Work on improving the formulation and stability properties of natural colors, i.e. light stability, thermal stability, etc., by physical modification of the colorants.
  • Formulates mixtures of colors with natural colors and/or certified colorants. Provides technical assistance to both US and Global internal and external customers/clients and prospects within their area of expertise. 
  • Evaluates and characterizes new natural colors that are not currently approved by the FDA, and makes recommendations regarding their potential use as food colorants. Evaluate new sources for raw materials in different applications. 
  • Develop a test plans and the applications that the raw material can be used in.  Assists Quality Control in development of quality control procedures. 
  • Supports sales staff and travels with them to call on clients and prospects. Develops assay procedures for natural and synthetic colors. 

What You'll Bring:

  • A Degree in chemistry, biochemistry or food science is required.
  • Strong communication skills required.  This role will interact directly with customers and must be able to provide guidance to customers.
  • Ability to travel to Sensient Color division sites to work with their technical staff, as needed.
  • Ability to use a Colorimeter or Spectrophotometer and other equipment such as Light Boxes. 

What You'll Get:

  • An opportunity to collaborate with your colleagues onsite 5-days per week.
  • Excellent compensation, benefit offering, and development opportunities.
  • A thorough and effective training experience during onboarding and beyond.


About Sensient Colors
Sensient Color Group is a leading developer, producer, and supplier of natural and synthetic color systems for customers around the globe. The Company's high-performance products play a central role in the manufacture of foods and beverages, cosmetic and pharmaceutical colors and coatings, colors for agricultural uses, household cleaners, and paper products. The Color Group is located in St. Louis, Missouri.

About Sensient Technologies Corporation
Sensient Technologies Corporation is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of colors, flavors, and fragrances. Sensient employs advanced technologies at facilities around the world to develop specialty food and beverage systems, cosmetic and pharmaceutical systems, and other specialty and fine chemicals. The Company's customers include major international manufacturers representing most of the world's best-known brands.  Sensient is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

For more information, visit our website at http://www.sensient.com.   

Equal Opportunity Employer

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