Sensory Scientist
New Providence, NJ or,
Kannapolis, NC,
United States
At Sensory Spectrum, we help the world’s leading brands create better products by understanding how people truly experience them. We’re growing—and looking for someone to execute high-quality sensory research and bring data-driven insights to life for our clients.
What you’ll do:
Join Sensory Spectrum as a Sensory Scientist (Project Manager) and play a pivotal role in bringing high-quality research to life. In this dynamic position, you’ll lead the end-to-end management of sensory research projects—designing studies, developing proposals and pricing, executing fieldwork, and delivering clear, actionable reports—all while maintaining our high standards for quality and timelines. As the primary point of contact for multiple external clients, you’ll build and manage strong client-consultant relationships, ensuring their objectives are understood and exceeded.
You’ll collaborate closely with internal technical teams to guide project execution, communicate research needs, and contribute to broader team success. If you thrive at the intersection of science, client partnership, and project leadership, this is an exciting opportunity to make an impact. This role offers a hybrid work arrangement (up to 3 days per week), providing flexibility while staying connected with our collaborative team environment.
📍 New Providence, NJ or Kannapolis, NC | ✈️ 25% (approximately 1 week per month)
Responsibilities
- Lead and manage end-to-end sensory and consumer research projects, aligning study design and execution with client objectives
- Build and maintain strong client relationships, ensuring clear communication, proactive guidance, and successful project delivery
- Oversee multiple concurrent studies, coordinating cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality, timely results
- Contribute to training and capability development through co-leading sessions, creating materials, and supporting team learning initiatives
- Develop expertise in sensory science methodologies, including descriptive analysis, discrimination testing, and consumer research techniques
- Provide actionable insights through hands-on product evaluation across diverse consumer product categories
- Support operational excellence by ensuring accurate project documentation, billing inputs, and process efficiency
- Actively contribute to the technical team by sharing insights, driving continuous improvement, and supporting broader business initiatives
What You Bring:
- Strong technical foundation in sensory evaluation, including descriptive analysis, consumer research, and data interpretation
- Skilled in applying standardized lexicons across diverse product categories (food, beverage, personal and home care)
- Proven project and team management capabilities with strong organizational and prioritization skills
- Effective communicator with strong written, verbal, and presentation abilities
- Highly collaborative with excellent interpersonal skills
- Analytical mindset with ability to translate data into clear, actionable insights
- Willingness and ability to conduct daily hands-on evaluation of food, beverage, and personal care products
Background & Skills:
- Bachelor’s (advanced degree preferred) in Sensory Science, Food Science, Psychology, or related field
- Experience with statistical analysis and interpretation of results is desirable
- 1-3 years related experience. Sensory science education may substitute for experience
- Experience with sensory and statistical software (e.g., Compusense, XLSTAT, JMP, or similar) preferred
- Microsoft Office Suite
Why Sensory Spectrum?
- Meaningful, science-driven work with top-tier clients
- A collaborative, supportive culture focused on growth
- Competitive PTO and flexible work approach
👉 If you’re excited to build your expertise, contribute to impactful client work, and grow your career in sensory science—we’d love to connect.
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Reasonable Accommodations Statement
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily which as outlined in the Company’s job description. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical Demands
Sedentary work. Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Repetitive motion. Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; viewing a computer screen; extensive reading; video meetings.
Notice
The Company has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee's ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and the Company reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the Company may deem appropriate.
While we review every application, we will only reach out to those whose experience is the best match due to application volume.