40 Research Scientist Roles jobs in Malaysia

Demeanour, Qualifications, Knowledge and Skills Required

The ideal candidate’s demeanour and approach to life and work should be as follows:

• Biscuit-loving, fun-loving, optimistic, innovative, energetic, aspirational, tech-savvy, and eager to learn with a hearty zest for life, specifically humble, open, fearless and yet possessing a little edge to think and go out of the box;
• A good listener, trustworthy, reliable, honest, accountable, collegial, well-groomed and professional;
• Proactive, resourceful, detail oriented, well-organized, self-directed, and able to thrive in high-pressure situations;
• Appreciative and respectful of diverse cultures, abilities, genders, and different worldly belief systems.

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

1. To lead a cross-functional process of managing new product development pipeline from concept to commercialization in accordance to market trend, consumer insights/survey, cost optimization, inventory list, machine capability, sensory evaluation, shelf life and regulations to ensure products are launched on time and in line with product brief.
2. To be responsible for designing, developing new products and processes, process control of biscuit production line up to commercialization and final packaging.
3. To verify the approval of new and alternative ingredients sourced from reliable supplier based on regulatory, quality, cost efficiency, inventory, and ease of handling.
4. To advise QA, Production and Packing Department on ways to maintain consistency through setting of quality standards to efficiently operationalize product and processes.
5. To ensure all tee products comply with regulations (including export requirements), halal requirements, brand values and consumer expectations through product and process monitoring and optimization.
6. To ensure effective implementation of all aspects related to R&D in quality objectives and policies, food safety management system, and addresses occupational health and safety management system.
7. To build a superior team by retaining, recruiting, and growing talent, establishing and executing development plans, identifying learning opportunities, and providing on-going feedback and coaching up to succession plan.
8. Undertaking any and all other duties and responsibilities as so instructed by the superior and/or Company.

The ideal candidate will/ have:

• Possess at least Degree/ Master/ PHD in Food Science Technology/ Nutrition or equivalent, with at least 15 years related working experience, preferably in food manufacturing environment.
• Possess a high level of practical product development experience, preferably in the field of commercializing mass volume of biscuits or other similar bakery products.
• Good knowledge on formulations, baking technology, raw material functions and regulatory requirements.
• Possess ability to embrace innovation and creativity in new product development in terms of raw materials and technological advancement.
• Possess good leadership skills and problem-solving skills.
• Strong people management and communication skill, able to communicate effectively with all levels of employees in the organization.
• Good time management, project management, planning, analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Good multi-tasking skills and able to anticipate numerous assignments simultaneously while maintaining a positive work attitude.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and as team player where frequent collaboration across functional teams is necessary.
• Good interpersonal skills, good collaboration skills and attitudes.
• Positive thinking and able to work under pressure.
• Ability to lead and supervise a small team.
• To be based in Alor Gajah, Melaka.
• Willing to travel and possession of own transport is preferred.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted via email for an interview.

• To define R&D strategies and organize project portfolio.
• Manage R&D projects and perform post launch follow-up when required.
• Continuous improvement of existing products’ performances.
• Perform technical, scientific, regulatory and competition intelligence monitoring.
• Organize information sharing with group R&D teams.
• Constant sharing of R&D related updates and information with relevant departments.
• Support production in process implementation and work together for continuous and industrial scale up.
• Executing necessary physical and chemical tests and analyses for the products.
• Liaise with and sourcing suitable raw materials from various suppliers for new product development.
• Setting product specifications and production procedures.
• Preparation of TDS and MSDS for the products.
• Supervision of pilot and initial production batches.
• Responsible for investigation when abnormal occur in process or product.
• Provide technical advice and support in product/ process improvement.
• Assist sales and marketing for samples preparation.
• Close collaboration with sales, purchasing, operations and marketing.
• Able to manage workload and meet deadlines.

• Candidate must possess at least a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry.
• Must be “hands on” and creative.
• Ability to read and interpret literatures in English and Mandarin.
• At least 3 years working experience in similar function.
• Knowledge of manufacturing process added advantage.
• Analytical, innovative and organizational skills.
• Computer skills knowledge for Microsoft Words, Excel, and PowerPoint.

• Attractive Salary Package with Performance Bonus.
• Staff Benefits – Medical & Insurance, Allowances & Team Building.
• 5 Days Work; Company Expansion, Career Growth Opportunities.

Beckers is the number one supplier of coil coatings and a leading supplier of industrial paints worldwide. The company is a true pioneer in providing unique, high-performance coating solutions that improve customer competitiveness while protecting people and planet. With expertise based on its 150-year history, Beckers today is a global company with 1,800 employees in 23 locations in 17 countries, providing products and custom-made solutions to customers in 60 countries around the world. Beckers is owned by Lindéngruppen, a Swedish family business with a focus on the long-term development of industrial companies. Beckers’ corporate headquarters are in Berlin, Germany.

Development of Long Term Development Asia (LTDA) group capabilities and support of Beckers Group Global objectives:

• Coordination & execution of R&D projects according to project pipeline / key milestones.
• Ability to effectively organize, process, interpret and present results (large amounts of data) across multiple concurrent projects.
• Effectively communicate with key regional & international technical groups within Beckers R&D community.
• Build understanding of industry trends with respect to coating technology, application technology, analytical techniques through research / information gathering, both from within Beckers and external sources.
• Implementation of Beckers Sustainability objectives, tools, and initiatives in accordance with RIC and supervisors’ directives.
• Supervision of technicians including training, growth development, work plans and time management.
• General R&D laboratory management of routine processes including equipment maintenance and ensuring safety standards.
• Networking with suppliers, industrial partners, and academic partners towards collaborative projects

• Advanced Degree (Masters or PhD) in Chemistry, Polymer Science, Material Science, or related subject.
• Minimum 3 years of R&D experience in industry or university, preferably in area related to coatings, polymers, or related.
• Hands-on experience and proficiency with FTIR, DSC, UV-VIS-NIR and optical microscopy. Proficiency in additional techniques such as surface analysis, chromatography etcetera are required.
• Excellent command of English and other regional language is advantageous.
• Critical thinking with ability to absorb complex concepts and interpret large data sets is essential.
• Willing to travel both regionally and inter-continental
• Curious, creative and team-player with ambition to build a career.

• Research information related to analytical support projects.
• Information management through effective command of relevant IT tools / software.
• Source new raw materials and evaluate performance.
• Formulate and evaluate coatings systems.
• Source new equipment and upgrades to improve LTDA capabilities.
• Commitment to fulfilling Goal Agreements and KPIs
• Build relationships through trust and integrity.
• Promote collaboration and cooperation within the team and with other departments.
• Open-minded with a willingness to take ownership of new challenges.

Manage end-to-end product development cycle for snack category and experience in food manufacturing industry is mandatory.

• Strong background in food science, chemistry, biotechnology, or relevant fields.
• In-depth knowledge of product development, formulation, and raw materials.
• Understanding of regulatory compliance (e.g., FDA, Halal, HACCP, Codex, country-specific requirements).
• Ability to analyze and interpret stability studies, sensory evaluations, and shelf-life tests.
• Troubleshoots formulation, process, and production issues.
• Evaluates risks in ingredient changes, formulation adjustments, and production feasibility.
• Ensures cost-effectiveness while maintaining product quality.
• Leads and manages multiple R&D projects efficiently.
• Develops new product concepts based on market trends and business strategy.
• Works with cross-functional teams (Marketing, Procurement, Production, QA) to ensure project feasibility.
• Tracks R&D timelines and ensures deliverables are met.
• Ensures all R&D work complies with local and international regulations.
• Conducts stability testing, sensory evaluation, and microbiological studies.
• Prepares technical documentation such as COA, MSDS, and product specifications.
• Ensures smooth product registration and certification.

• Candidate should possess a Bachelor’s Degree / Master in Food Science/Technology/Nutrition/Dietetics or equivalent.
• At least 5 years working experience in food industry.
• Possess own transport, willing to work in Subang Jaya and travel to Malacca when needed.
• Strong technical understanding of food processing especially instant noodle & food service savoury application.
• Excellent communications, interpersonal and analytical skills.
• Good leadership, customer focus and commercial acumen.
• Strong R&D experience with good project management skills, stakeholder management and initiatives.

Department Overview

The R&D department is responsible for the activities of an organization to undertake the innovation and introduction of new products and services. It is often the first stage in the development process. The goal is typically to take new products and services to market and add to the company's bottom line.

Department Functions

1. New product research and development.
2. Existing product updates.
3. Quality control checks.
4. Application lab.
5. Analytical & methods.
6. Innovation and staying ahead of trends.

Important: This is a general Resume Deposit Dropbox. The Talent Acquisition team will review your profile from time to time. If your profile is assessed as a potential fit for a role, a recruiter will directly contact you. Due to the large number of applications we receive, we may not be able to personally contact each applicant. All open vacancies are listed on the Synthomer Career Center; we encourage you to frequently visit our career center to learn more about the company and latest job vacancies.

Why Synthomer?

We are ambitious! We have grown significantly – both organically and inorganically. We are a FTSE 250 listed company, 22% of our revenue comes from newly commercialized products, and we’re recognized in the top quartile for chemicals manufacturing safety.

We believe in high challenge, high support! We are keen to let you contribute in real roles from day one. We expect a lot, but offer a lot, too. This includes onboarding, induction and learning events, networking opportunities, mentoring, and personal development planning. So, be up for an inspiring long-term career adventure.

We personalize our approach to development! At Synthomer, you won't find generic career tracks or development programs but rather a one-size-fits-one approach to employee development. We'll partner with you to ensure you have the right experiences that build your capabilities and accelerate your career growth.