Senior Sensory Scientist - Nutrition - Columbus, OH

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 114,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

Senior Sensory Scientist

About Abbott

Working at Abbott

Our nutrition business develops science-based nutrition products for people of all ages, from helping babies and children grow to keeping adult bodies strong and active. Millions of people around the world count on our leading brands – including Similac®, PediaSure®, Pedialyte®, Ensure®, and Glucerna® – to help them get the nutrients they need to live their healthiest lives.

At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and your family, be your true self, and live a full life. You’ll also have access to:

• Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.
• Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year.
• An excellent retirement savings plan with a high employer contribution
• Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program, and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree.
• A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries worldwide and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.
• A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as the best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.

Our location in Columbus, OH, currently has an opportunity for a Senior Sensory Scientist. In Research & Development (R&D) our ambition is providing innovative high-quality products, creating sustainable value, delivering superior user experience and enhancing health outcomes at all stages of life.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Recommend testing strategies and study designs that align with business objectives and consumer needs, providing clear guidance to cross‑functional project teams.
• Independently design, plan, and lead moderate‑to‑complex sensory and consumer research projects, applying established and innovative methodologies.
• Lead the design and execution of sensory and consumer studies, ensuring study plans, methods, and analyses are aligned with defined objectives and stakeholder needs.
• Synthesize data using advanced statistical principles, evaluate results, and translate findings into well‑supported conclusions that provide actionable insights to project teams.
• Communicate insights and strategic recommendations clearly and effectively to cross‑functional stakeholders across the organization.
• Collaborate closely with partners in R&D, global sensory, marketing, and quality, ensuring alignment, integration of perspectives, and consistent application of best practices.
• Assist in the coordination, documentation, and scheduling of internal panels by partnering with panel leaders and ensuring high-quality, consistent execution across studies.
• Assist with the planning, implementation, and ongoing maintenance of sensory training programs.
• Partner with sensory staff to ensure smooth operation of routine lab functions, supporting efficient workflows, compliance, and adherence to best practices.
• Assist in maintaining standardized practices and protocols across the sensory organization, staying current with industry best practices and emerging techniques to help inform continuous improvement.

Required Qualifications

Required

• B.S. degree in Food Science, Sensory Science, Data Analytics, or closely related field, plus 7 years of professional experience.
• Demonstrated experience designing and leading descriptive, discrimination, and quantitative consumer studies and communicating results effectively to project teams.
• Must be able to manage multiple priorities and projects in a speed oriented, rapidly changing environment
• Effective communication skills, strong analytical skills and attention to detail are needed
• Must be able to taste any and all kinds of nutrition products, ingredients or substances necessary to perform this job without restriction.

Preferred:

• MS or higher degree with emphasis in Sensory Science preferred.
• Strong background conducting and interpreting qualitative and quantitative consumer research
• Experience with descriptive panel leadership
• Proficient using Sensory and Statistical software (Compusense and XLSTAT), PowerPoint, Excel, Project, Word
• Ability to travel up to 20% (domestic and international)

MISC:

• This is an onsite role located in Columbus, OH – this is not a remote role/opportunity.
• Sponsorship: we will not provide sponsorship of any kind for this role (including OPT).
• Relocation assistance is not offered for this role.

Apply Now

• Learn more about our health and wellness benefits, which provide the security to help you and your family live full lives: www.abbottbenefits.com
• Follow your career aspirations to Abbott for diverse opportunities with a company that can help you build your future and live your best life. Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to employee diversity.
• Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews and @AbbottGlobal.

The base pay for this position is $86,700.00 – $173,300.00. In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.