Senior Research Associate

Himalaya Wellness Europe; Dubai; On-site; AED 402,000 - 603,000; Full time

Job summary

Himalaya Wellness Europe is based in Dubai and leads the R&D portfolio for the Skin Care franchise, translating clinical and technical data into credible consumer-facing claims. You will drive evidence generation, substantiate claims, and align product innovation with brand strategy and regulatory requirements.

This role reports to the Head of Skin Sciences within the Discovery Sciences Group and requires deep skincare knowledge, regulatory expertise, and strong cross-functional collaboration

Qualifications

• Experience in skincare with deep skin science knowledge and regulatory understanding.
• Ability to translate clinical data into consumer narratives and credible claims.

Responsibilities

• Lead the R&D portfolio for Himalaya Skin Care across NPDs and EPDs.
• Translate product science into consumer-facing claims and substantiation strategies.
• Develop evidence-generation plans and oversee clinical study design and interpretation.
• Collaborate with Brand, Regulatory, and Senior Leadership teams to align innovation priorities.

Skills

Skin science

Regulatory landscape

Science communication

Portfolio management

Education

PhD/MD/PharmD or MSc in Cosmetic Science/Life Sciences

Job description

Role Description

Based in Dubai and reporting to the Head of Skin Sciences within the Discovery Sciences Group, you will lead the R&D Portfolio of Himalaya Skin Care across NPDs and EPDs. You will identify unmet needs and emerging opportunities, translating them into relevant concepts for the innovation pipeline. You will be responsible for claims ideation, evidence generation, and substantiation strategies. You will translate product science into robust and differentiated consumer-facing claims, ensuring speed-to-market while driving technical credibility, product superiority, and portfolio growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive the R&D portfolio across NPDs and EPDs within the Skin Care franchise (Face, Body, Lip), ensuring clear differentiation and competitive positioning.
• Partner with Brand teams to define product target profiles, technical requirements, and innovation priorities from concept to launch.
• Evaluate market trends, scientific literature, consumer insights, and derma perspectives to identify unmet needs and develop differentiated product concepts.
• Identify emerging technologies, ingredients, and scientific advancements to strengthen the future innovation pipeline of the Skin Care franchise.
• Develop regulatory compliant and scientifically sound claims, reasons-to-believe, and evidence-generation strategies, including design and interpretation of clinical studies.
• Translate complex clinical and technical data into clear, compelling, and credible communication for consumers, healthcare professionals, and internal stakeholders.
• Review artwork and communication materials to ensure alignment with substantiation plans, scientific evidence, formulation benefits, and study outcomes.
• Support Marketing through scientific communication materials, FAQs, and educational content.
• Propose impactful demos to communicate product safety, efficacy, and ingredient science across promotional, e-commerce, and educational platforms.
• Maintain the master repository for actives, clinical evidence, claims grids, substantiation assets, and artwork.

Required Expertise

• Previous experience in skincare industry with deep knowledge of skin science and regulatory landscape.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex clinical and technical insights into compelling consumer narratives.

Behavioral & Language Skills

• Ability to influence and collaborate effectively across R&D, Marketing, Regulatory, and Senior Leadership teams.
• Highly organized with portfolio-management mindset.
• High accountability, proactive ownership, and collaborative approach.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD, MD, PharmD, or master’s degree in Cosmetic Science, Life Sciences, Formulation, or related field.