GSSI Principal Scientist - Sports Nutrition and Hydration

Overview

Location: Valhalla, NY

PepsiCo is a global food and beverage leader operating in more than 200 countries and territories with a product portfolio that includes 22 world-famous, billion-dollar brands. From Gatorade to Quaker, LIFEWTR to Lay's, we make hundreds of enjoyable foods and beverages that are loved throughout the world.

Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to be the global leader in convenient foods and beverages by Winning with Purpose. "Winning with Purpose" reflects our ambition to win sustainably in the marketplace and embed purpose into all aspects of the business.

Our employees drive our culture. No two days are the same; we're dynamic and full of passionate teams embracing new ideas through our collaborative spirit. At PepsiCo, what makes you unique, makes us better!

The Gatorade Sports Science Institute (GSSI), which resides in the broader Life Sciences organization in PepsiCo R&D, is committed to helping athletes optimize their health and performance through research and education in hydration and nutrition science. Recently GSSI opened a new clinical research facility in Valhalla, which serves as GSSI's headquarters for conducting hydration and nutrition research to inform innovation and knowledge generation for performance in sport as well as health and wellness for everyday exercisers.

The specific job responsibilities of the incumbent of this Principal Scientist role are as follows:

Responsibilities

• Work with the Director and relevant business and R&D cross-functional partners to help develop and execute the GSSI research strategy focused on hydration and nutrition for sports and fitness.
• Manage externally conducted research (with Universities and CROs) and liaise with external PIs to develop protocols and report study updates and drive results informing innovation and knowledge generation.
• Serve as one of the Principal Investigators for clinical trials and assist other PIs with research in the GSSI Valhalla Laboratory addressing questions related to the effects of nutrition, hydration, and environmental stress on performance in sports as well as health and wellness in the general population.
• Collaborate with the broader GSSI/Life Sciences S&T team, using subject matter expertise and critical thinking skills to help advance the science programs as well as drive internal and external publications/presentations.

Compensation and Benefits:

• The expected compensation range for this position is between $106,400 - $178,100.
• Location, confirmed job-related skills, experience, and education will be considered in setting actual starting salary. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range during the hiring process.
• Bonus based on performance and eligibility target payout is 12% of annual salary paid out annually.
• Paid time off subject to eligibility, including paid parental leave, vacation, sick, and bereavement.
• In addition to salary, PepsiCo offers a comprehensive benefits package to support our employees and their families, subject to elections and eligibility: Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Health, and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Insurance (Accident, Group Legal, Life), Defined Contribution Retirement Plan.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. required in Nutrition, Physiology, Kinesiology or related discipline.
• Demonstrable subject matter expertise in hydration, nutrition, and/or exercise physiology.
• 5+ years of experience with laboratory based clinical research beyond formal education.
• Demonstrable knowledge of and following of good clinical practice (GCP) guidelines.
• Excellent publishing record with experience producing first authored peer-reviewed research.
• Must have a pro-active work style, able to multitask, and be flexible to work in a high-performance and ever-changing environment.
• Must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work and communicate effectively in a matrixed organization
• Direct supervisory/people management experience is preferred.
• Prior experience in an industry role (e.g., Food & Beverage, Sports Science) is preferred.
• Flexibility/agility and willingness for occasional domestic travel (approximately 10%) to attend scientific conferences, visit/collaborate with colleagues at GSSI satellite laboratories, and for other GSSI/Life Sciences or other PepsiCo offsite meetings.

EEO Statement

Our Company will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and all other applicable laws, including but not limited to, San Francisco Police Code Sections 4901-4919, commonly referred to as the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance; and Chapter XVII, Article 9 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code, commonly referred to as the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.

PepsiCo is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Female / Minority / Disability / Protected Veteran / Sexual Orientation / Gender Identity

If you'd like more information about your EEO rights as an applicant under the law, please download the available EEO is the Law & EEO is the Law Supplement documents.

View PepsiCo EEO Policy.

Please view our Pay Transparency Statement

Client-provided location(s): Valhalla, NY

Job ID: PepsiCo-400144-en-us

Employment Type: OTHER

Posted: 2025-08-21T20:12:13