Senior Scientist (Data Science & Chemometrics)

Job Title:Data Science & Chemometrics(Senior Scientist)
Location:Midleton Ireland preferred / Ireland-based role to be confirmed
Reporting to:Global Research Sensory and Analytical Sciences Director
Location:Midleton County Cork

About Us

Pernod Ricards Gold Brand Unit is the Groups Aged Spirits & Champagne division bringing together the prestigious portfolios of Irish Distillers Chivas Brothers Martell Mumm PerrierJouët and North American Distillers. With a global team operating across over 40 sites and brands spanning Irish Scotch and American Whisk(e)y Cognac Champagne and wine the division unites exceptional craftsmanship and deep expertise across iconic terroirs in Ireland Scotland France and North America. Its portfolio rooted in heritage and provenance embodies Pernod Ricards commitment to excellence from Premium to UltraPrestige delivering some of the worlds most celebrated and enduring spirits and champagnes.

Role Purpose

The Senior Scientist Data Science & Chemometrics willbe responsible forapplying advanced statistical analysis chemometrics machine learning and predictive modelling to complex analytical sensory process and research datasets. The role will support innovation product development quality optimisation processunderstandingand scientific research across the global spirits portfolio.

Working closely with Analytical Sciences Sensory Science Applied Research Digital & Data teams and wider R&D stakeholders the role will develop data-driven approaches that connect chemical composition sensory perception productionparametersand product performance to improve decision-making and accelerate innovation.

Key Responsibilities

Data Science & Chemometric Modelling

• Developvalidateand deploy chemometric statistical and machine learning models to generate insights from analytical sensory process and consumer datasets.

• Build predictive and explanatory models linking chemical composition production parameters maturation conditions and sensory attributes to quality consumerpreferenceand product performance.

• Apply advanced multivariate statistical techniques including PCA PLS cluster analysis Design of Experiments mixed models regression classificationmethodsand model validation.

• Apply multivariate data analysis and statistical process control techniques to manufacturing process data.

• Identifychemical process and sensory drivers of product differentiation quality outcomes stabilityauthenticityand consumer-relevant characteristics.

• Act as subject matter expert for chemometrics and advanced data analyticsprovidingscientific guidance to multidisciplinary project teams.

Sensory & Analytical Insights

• Integrate sensory analytical processformulationand consumer data into structured insight frameworks to support product understanding and evidence-based decision-making.

• Develop models that predict sensory perception and product behaviour from analytical measurements.

• Support descriptive sensory analysis consumer research technical productprofilingand benchmarking studies through robust statistical analysis.

• Translate complex statistical outputs into clear scientific narratives practical recommendations and actionable insights for R&D QualityOperationsand brand-facing stakeholders.

Research & Innovation Support

• Partner with Applied Research Analytical Sciences Sensory Science and Technical Platforms to improve understanding of the chemical sensory and process mechanisms that influence spirit characterqualityand performance.

• Apply chemometrics statistical and predictive modelling approaches to research programmes in ageing and maturation fermentation flavour development productrenovationand new product innovation.

• Design and analyse experiments toidentifykey drivers of product differentiation process impact maturation behaviourstabilityand sensory perception.

• Translate analytical sensory and process data into scientific hypotheses actionable insights and practical recommendations for innovation and technical decision-making.

Digital Transformation & Data Strategy

• Support the integration and effective use of digital platforms including LIMS ELNCompusenseand process/manufacturing databases.

• Define best practices for data quality structure traceability visualisation statistical analysis modelgovernanceand knowledge management.

• Contribute to AI-enabled R&D capabilities through advanced modelling knowledgeextractionand integration of analytical sensory and process data.

• Promote consistent data practices across teams and sites to improve comparabilityreproducibilityand long-term value creation from scientific data.

Data Visualisation & Communication

• Develop dashboards visualisation tools and reporting approaches that make complex statistical and scientific results accessible to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Translate modelling outputs into clear narratives business-relevant conclusions and practical recommendations for R&D QualityOperationsand innovation teams.

• Communicate scientific findings through presentations reports technicaldiscussionsand stakeholder engagement.

• Train and support scientists in statistical thinking datainterpretationand effective use of data visualisation tools.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• PhD or equivalent experience in Chemometrics Data Science Statistics Analytical Chemistry Food Science or a related discipline.

• Minimum 5 years experience applying chemometric and statistical methods in food beverage consumer goods life sciencespharmaceuticalsor a related industry.

• Experience working with complex multivariate datasets.

• Experience translating scientific data into business insights.

Required Technical Skills & Knowledge

• Strong knowledge of multivariate statistics chemometrics predictive modelling experimentaldesignand data visualisation.

• Experience using data processing analysis and visualisation tools such as Python Power BI MATLAB R or SIMCA.

• Ability to work with chemical data from techniques such as GC-MS LC-MS HPLC ICP and FTIR.

• Experience working with sensory descriptive analysis data consumer research data product quality data manufacturing data shelf-lifedataor stability data.

• Ability to work cross-functionally across R&D Sensory Quality and Operations.

Preferred Experience

• Experiencewritingscientific papers posters or delivering oral presentations.

• Experience developing predictive models that support innovation productdevelopmentor quality decision-making.

• Experience contributing to data-driven research methodologies or digital R&D capability development.

What we offer

We understand our people are our special ingredient and at different points employees require different supports at different stages of their working lives. Our benefits perks and programmes look to support your employee journey. We want to make you feel recognised and valued for your contribution to our shared success. Some of offerings include;

• Profit share; - An annual profit share scheme to reward your contribution to the companys success.
• Allowance;an annual allowance to spend on our portfolio of products and merchandise for you to enjoy responsibly.
• People Development:We enable continuous development for our people at every stage of their careers through our people development online learning and leadership training programmes.
• Family leave:fully paid maternity parent and paternity leave allowing you spend precious time with your new family member
• Parental Support:Our Reconnect programme includes access to a workplace parenting coach a phased return to work and a supportive environment for new parents
• Health & Wellbeing;Our Wellbeing Programme THRIVE supports employees across the three main pillars: Life Body and Mind

• Charity Days: up to 2 days paid leave every year to volunteer at a charity of their choice

At Irish Distillers we know that great spirits are crafted by blending unique ingredients and we believe the same is true for people. We actively welcome individuals from all walks of life and warmly welcome those with diverse religious backgrounds ethnicities members of the Irish Travelling community genders abilities and identities. Its the mix of our experiences voices and cultures that gives us our true character.

Learn more about working with Irish Distillers a Pernod Ricard Company Posting End Date: