Toxicology Lead

LUSH; Paris; Hybrid; EUR 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus scheme

30% employee discount

10% employee ownership

2 days of teleworking

100% covered mutual insurance

RTT

Job summary

A famous cosmetics company in Paris is seeking a Toxicology Lead to oversee animal-free safety assessments for new products. This role involves leading a team, managing testing programs, and providing expert safety advice. The ideal candidate has a Master's or PhD in in-vitro toxicology, a passion for ethical science, and strong project management skills. Competitive compensation and employee benefits, including a discount on products and teleworking options, are offered.

Qualifications

• Strong passion for in-vitro toxicology and deep understanding of non-animal testing methods.
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects from concept through completion.
• Familiarity with global regulatory frameworks like REACH.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations and manage team performance.
• Collaborate with Directors on new products and formulations.
• Provide final safety sign-off for new products.

Skills

In-vitro toxicology

Non-animal testing methodologies

Project management

Communication skills

Critical thinking

Education

Masters degree or PhD in in-vitro toxicology or related discipline

Job description

Join to apply for the Toxicology Lead role at LUSH

Application Deadline: 18 January 2026

Department: Toxicology

Location: Paris

Compensation: €45,000 - €55,000 / year

Diversity matters

We are building a brand that represents the people of the world. It’s what you do that counts, and we are always looking to expand perspectives and voices to shape our future.

We see you, we celebrate you, we want you!

You might know us as the inventors of the bath bomb, but there’s more to this great‑smelling, partly employee‑owned, family‑run company than pioneering cosmetics. We believe our business should put more back into the world than it takes and demonstrate that capitalism can be a force for good.

The successful candidate will be expected to work from our Paris office 2-3 days per week covering a maternity contract for 12 months.

Overview

The toxicology lead will be focused on animal‑free safety assessments and approval of new products. In this role you will lead and manage a team to instigate and deliver testing programs, interpret results, and provide comprehensive advice to the broader business regarding ingredient safety and usage.

Team

The Toxicology team ensures consumer safety through scientifically relevant methods based on human models of testing. We’re a small and supportive team, enabling compliance, and for Lush to stay at the forefront of safety testing. We value each individual for their contribution, passion and experience, as well as areas of expertise. You will manage your own workload, and work closely with other teams across Lush, and with external companies.

Please note: We may close this vacancy early if we receive an overwhelming response or our business requirements change.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations, run team meetings, recruit and onboard new members, coordinate training and development, manage performance, and foster a supportive and empowering environment. Ensure effective collaboration with other departments and maintain responsibility for the team’s budget and resource planning.
• Provide guidance to the Chemical Analyst responsible for GC‑MS analyses, Safety Data Sheet (SDS) preparation, and VOC‑related projects.
• Collaborate with Directors and product developers to provide scientific and safety guidance on new products, formulations, and innovations.
• Evaluate complex and unconventional products, ensuring compliance with internal standards and global regulatory requirements.
• Oversee the testing budget and coordinate in vitro testing. Develop innovative assays (e.g., 3D genotoxicity tests) in collaboration with our testing partners and other external labs.
• Support studies on ingredient safety, Prop 65 materials, eczema and microbiome research, and hair dye innovation with an external partnership; review and interpret results, and prepare scientific conclusions.
• Provide final safety sign‑off for new products, monitor post‑market feedback (including customer reactions), and take proactive steps to maintain high safety standards.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Masters degree or PhD in in‑vitro toxicology or a related scientific discipline.
• Strong passion for in‑vitro toxicology and a deep understanding of non‑animal testing methodologies.
• It would be beneficial to have experience leading toxicology teams, managing complex projects, and coordinating research activities in an animal‑free testing environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with confidence in presenting scientific information to diverse audiences — from internal teams and leadership to external partners and regulatory bodies.
• Advanced critical thinking and problem‑solving abilities to address complex toxicological challenges and optimise testing strategies.
• Committed to ethical science and ensuring full compliance with regulatory standards for non‑animal testing and product safety.
• Skilled in working across multidisciplinary teams, including scientists, product developers, and regulatory experts, to achieve common objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to manage toxicology projects from concept through completion, meeting deadlines, quality standards, and business goals.
• Strong data interpretation skills, with the ability to evaluate complex toxicological information and draw meaningful conclusions for product safety decisions.
• Familiarity with global regulatory frameworks governing chemical safety and toxicological assessment, including REACH and other relevant international directives.

Benefits

• Bonus scheme
• 30% employee discount on Lush products and Lush Spa treatments
• We’re 10% Employee Owned – all colleagues play a role in protecting our ethics, our independence, contributing ideas for the future and share in the rewards of success when the company is doing well
• 2 days of teleworking per week
• Mutual insurance 100% covered
• RTT

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