Life Sciences Senior Principal Scientist

Overview

In this role you will shape and govern the EMEA Life Sciences research portfolio, translating global science strategies into regionally relevant programs that drive growth, claims, and reputation. You will lead scientific platforms across EMEA, build external partnerships, and ensure evidence generation aligns with regional business priorities. The position combines strategic leadership, people development, and cross-functional collaboration to maximize business and scientific impact. You will represent PepsiCo in external scientific forums and lead a high-performance, autonomous team.

Responsibilities

• Lead the EMEA Life Sciences research strategy and portfolio aligned with business priorities and global science platforms
• Serve as the primary EMEA scientific lead for science platform deployment, translating global platform strategies into regionally relevant programs and evidence plans
• Govern research investments and prioritize resources across the EMEA research plan to maximize impact
• Partner with R&D, Regulatory, Insights, Marketing, and Commercial teams to identify science and claims opportunities
• Collaborate with Portfolio Transformation and Product Development to shape the future EMEA innovation pipeline and POTF agenda
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with academic institutions, healthcare professionals, and external influencers
• Represent PepsiCo externally at scientific and industry forums to strengthen credibility
• Lead, coach, and develop scientific talent and foster a high-performance culture
• Provide strategic scientific guidance to cross-functional teams and senior stakeholders across EMEA
• Ensure alignment between regional and global Life Sciences priorities and share best practices across EMEA

Key requirements

• PhD in Nutrition, Life Sciences, Physiology, or related discipline
• 8–12+ years of relevant scientific and research experience, preferably in industry
• Experience leading regional or global research programs
• Strong publication and external scientific engagement record
• Experience influencing senior cross-functional leadership teams
• Proven people leadership and talent development experience
• Experience managing multi-country research portfolios and external partnerships
• Deep understanding of science substantiation, evidence generation, and claims development, specifically for UK/EU

• strategic thinking
• cross-functional collaboration
• stakeholder management
• evidence generation and substantiation
• claims development
• portfolio governance

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