Segment : Royal Canin
Contract : Permanent/CDI
Location : Aimargues, near to Montpellier
Royal Canin's R&D function generates large and complex datasets spanning nutrition, ingredients, product design, manufacturing, biological measurements, clinical studies, microbiome research, metabolomics, veterinary outcomes, and pet owner observations. The Predictive Research Scientist – Scientific Data Modeling transforms these diverse data assets into predictive models and actionable scientific insights that accelerate research, innovation, and evidence generation.
This role applies advanced statistical methods, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and computational modeling approaches to uncover biological mechanisms, predict pet responses to nutritional interventions, and support data-driven decision making across the R&D portfolio. Working closely with the Scientific Data Steward and Research Scientists from various R&D teams, the role serves as the a modeling expert responsible for converting high-quality research data into predictive knowledge and competitive advantage.
What are we looking for ?
Essential "dual” profile: A university degree (Master's, PhD preferred) in a Biological, Medical/Veterinary/Health or Nutritional Sciences, Biochemistry, Microbiology, or related Life Science discipline combined with formal education, postgraduate qualification, certification, or demonstrated expertise in Data Science, Machine Learning, Bioinformatics, Biostatistics, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, or a related quantitative field.
3+ years of experience applying machine learning, advanced analytics, or computational modeling in a life sciences, healthcare, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, nutrition, food science, veterinary, or related R&D environment. Demonstrated experience managing end-to-end predictive modeling projects from problem framing through deployment and interpretation.
Experience developing predictive models using structured and unstructured scientific datasets.
Strong understanding of machine learning algorithms, statistical inference, model validation, and performance evaluation.
Experience with biological, clinical, nutritional, omics, or industrial research datasets.
Familiarity with cloud-based analytical environments and scalable computing platforms.
Experience with explainable AI methodologies and model interpretability approaches is preferred.
Experience with multi-omics integration, natural language processing, or deep learning is preferred
Language: Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory.
What would be your key responsibilities?
Predictive Modeling & Machine Learning
- Predictive model development: Design, develop, validate, and deploy machine learning and statistical models using R&D datasets to predict biological responses, health outcomes, product performance, ingredient functionality, and manufacturing outcomes.
- Model selection and optimization: Evaluate and apply appropriate methodologies including supervised and unsupervised machine learning, ensemble methods, deep learning, survival analysis, Bayesian approaches, and multivariate statistics.
- Feature engineering: Identify, engineer, and optimize biological, nutritional, behavioral, clinical, and industrial variables that improve model performance and interpretability.
- Model validation: Establish robust validation frameworks including cross-validation, external validation, sensitivity analyses, and reproducibility assessments to ensure scientific rigor and business confidence.
Scientific Discovery & Data Integration
- Mechanistic insights: Utilize predictive analytics and AI approaches to identify novel biological relationships and generate hypotheses regarding pet physiology, nutrition, and health, in collaboration with research scientists of those fields.
- Multi-source data integration: Integrate data across clinical studies, animal facilities, formulation systems, ingredient databases, microbiome datasets, metabolomics platforms, and other internal or external data sources.
- Knowledge generation: Translate complex analytical outputs into meaningful scientific conclusions and actionable recommendations for R&D teams, in collaboration with research scientists and expert from nutrition, process & technology research teams.
- Publication support: Contribute analytical expertise to peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, intellectual property generation, and scientific substantiation dossiers.
Research Partnership & Project Delivery
- Project collaboration: Partner with research scientists, design scientists, biostatisticians, and subject matter experts to frame scientific questions that can be addressed through predictive modeling.
- Study design input: Provide modeling and analytical recommendations during study design phases to maximize future predictive value and analytical robustness.
- Analytical consulting: Advise project teams on model assumptions, data requirements, interpretation of results, and limitations of analytical approaches.
- Cross-functional enablement: Support multiple R&D functions including Research, Product Design, Facilities, Clinical Studies, and Deployment teams.
Computational Innovation & Continuous Improvement
- Emerging technologies: Monitor advances in artificial intelligence, machine learning, computational biology, generative AI, and predictive analytics relevant to nutrition and health sciences.
- Modeling standards: Contribute to the establishment of best practices, coding standards, model documentation, reproducibility frameworks, and analytical governance.
- Automation: Develop scalable analytical workflows and reusable modeling pipelines to improve efficiency and accelerate project delivery.
- Scientific benchmarking: Evaluate external methodologies, tools, and technologies to continuously enhance Royal Canin's predictive research capabilities.
What can you expect from Mars ?
- You will work in a multicultural environment (more than 40 nationalities) and where your dog will be welcomed by more than 100 other Associates’ dogs at the office!
- You will work in a unique campus, which gathers more than 800 Associates working for: the international HQ, the French subsidiary, two laboratories, a kennel and a cattery with more than 200 cats & dogs, and finally the most important factory of the Royal Canin group
- A unique and ideal work environment to become the leader in health through nutrition for cats and dogs!
- You will evolve in the heart of an innovative production plant that will challenge you, on a daily basis
Royal Canin's CSR commitments, to build a better world for tomorrow:
- Since 2015, no waste to landfill is made by the 16 Royal Canin factories in the world
- All Royal Canin products manufactured in Europe are ISO 14001 certified from design to factory gate
- Since 2017, Royal Canin has supported the K-DOG program of the Curie Institute, which trains dogs to detect breast cancer via olfaction.
