Associate Packaging Materials Specialist

The company seeks an Associate Packaging Materials Specialist in Lausanne to lead R&D on novel, sustainable packaging for food and beverage applications, bridging lab research with industrial scale-up.

This position sits within the Nestlé Institute of Packaging Sciences at Nestlé Research. The role focuses on advancing the development, scale-up, and industrialization of new materials and packaging structures for food and beverage uses. It aims to deliver high-performance, consumer-focused, and sustainable packaging solutions through dedicated project work.

Responsibilities

• Direct and carry out research initiatives centered on innovative packaging materials and structures.
• Oversee the transition of new material structures from laboratory settings to pilot and industrial trials.
• Assist in ensuring packaging materials are convertible and manufacturable by organizing and running trials alongside internal and external collaborators.
• Help create barrier solutions suitable for food and beverage uses across fiber-based, polymer, and hybrid structures.
• Keep current with recyclability regulations and circularity assessment frameworks.
• Convert packaging performance needs into material requirements and carry out characterization and test plans.
• Build and maintain expertise, including producing impactful publications and communications.
• Contribute to intellectual property in the area of novel packaging materials and structures.

Requirements

• MSc and/or PhD in materials science/engineering, polymer science, paper engineering, or a related field.
• Proven experience in R&D and/or technical development in packaging materials.
• Familiarity with packaging material converting/manufacturing processes.
• Awareness of food-contact constraints and product safety/quality expectations.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with external partners.
• Proficiency in English.

Nice to have

• Exposure to food and beverage packaging.
• Experience with converters.

What the company offers

• Exciting opportunities to develop your career your way.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• A culture of respect, with diversity, equity and inclusion at its core.
• A dynamic international environment empowering you to learn, develop and grow.

About the company

Nestlé Research operates as a global organization, with the majority of its team based in Lausanne, Switzerland. The organization embraces fresh thinking and collaborates to create amazing solutions. The company places people at the core of everything it does, driven by a passion for innovation. The company fosters a culture of creativity and growth. The mission is to inspire people and ignite innovation to shape a better future.

• Nestlé Research operates as a global organization, with the majority of its team based in Lausanne, Switzerland.
• The organization embraces fresh thinking and collaborates to create amazing solutions.
• The company places people at the core of everything it does, driven by a passion for innovation.
• The company fosters a culture of creativity and growth.
• The mission is to inspire people and ignite innovation to shape a better future.