Process Engineer (Emulsions)

Medik8; Aylesbury; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Medik8 is seeking an exceptional Process Engineer (Emulsions) to join their R&D team. This role will focus on designing and optimizing processes for skincare formulations, particularly emulsion technology, requiring expertise in lipid science and polymer chemistry. Candidates will work closely with formulation scientists to bring innovative skincare products to market within a supportive and passionate environment.

Benefits

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Private Medical Insurance + Mental Health support

Annual Performance Bonus

75% product discount + Annual Product Allowance

Flexible Career opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven experience in scale-up processes and batch manufacturing in the chemical industry.
• Proficiency in HAZOP, FMEA, and LOPA methodologies.
• Strong understanding of cosmetic ingredients and their interactions.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement manufacturing processes for skincare formulations.
• Conduct scale-up efforts translating lab formulations to production.
• Collaborate with R&D teams for product optimizations.

Skills

Rheology

Analytical Skills

Problem-Solving

Statistical Analysis

Education

PhD in Chemical Engineering

MEng with CEng registration

Job description

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Medik8 is extremely proud to be led by science; innovation and technological advancements have always been at our core. We also focus on delivering best in class customer experience in each and every one of our products. This is what makes us incomparable against the competition and a pioneer within the skincare market.

Medik8 is seeking an exceptional Process Engineer (Emulsions) to join our cutting-edge R&D team. This role presents a unique opportunity to contribute to the development and optimisation of advanced skincare formulations, with a particular focus on emulsion technology and polymers and lipids chemistry.

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As a Process Engineer at Medik8, you will play a pivotal role in designing, implementing, and optimising mixing processes for our state-of-the-art skincare product manufacturing. Your expertise will be crucial in scaling up laboratory formulations to industrial-scale production, with a specific emphasis on batch processing, emulsion engineering, and formulation optimisation from a process perspective. This position requires a deep understanding of lipids, emulsifiers, rheology, mixing science, and polymer chemistry to develop innovative and stable skincare products. The candidate will have the opportunity to work directly with a team of highly skilled formulation scientists to deliver the next generation of skincare products.

You can be sure you will be working with a fantastic team, managers who care, support and value your contribution. A passion-driven environment where you will share challenges, achievements and innovations with your peers.

In more detail your role will include:

Process Design and Optimisation

Design and implement processes for the manufacture of advanced skincare products, focusing on transforming raw materials into high-quality finished goods.

Carrying out scale-up efforts (CSTR), translating laboratory formulations into industrial-scale production processes, with particular attention to maintaining emulsion stability and desired rheological properties.

Contributing to the design of future production lines and manufacturing approaches using physics-informed approaches toward optimal design.

Develop and optimise batch processing techniques for various skincare formulations, including oil-in-water and water-in-oil emulsions, therefore a decent understanding in lipid science and crystallisation behaviour is expected.

Utilise expertise in lipid science and polymer chemistry to select and incorporate appropriate polymers thickening, conditioning, and emulsification in cosmetic formulations.

Emulsion and Formulation Engineering

Specialise in emulsion engineering, designing stable water-in-oil and oil-in-water emulsions for innovative skincare products.

Understanding root-cause effects of complex lipid matrices and viscosity modifiers.

Conduct in-depth rheological studies to characterize and optimise the flow properties of emulsions and other complex formulations.

Investigate and apply advanced polymer systems for improved product stability, texture, and performance (aspirational).

Process Safety and Quality Assurance

Conduct critical process reviews using methodologies such as HAZOP, FMEA, and LOPA to ensure safety and efficiency in all manufacturing processes.

Develop and maintain detailed process design documents, including Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs), process calculations, and Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs).

Ensure compliance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and cosmetic regulatory requirements throughout the product development and manufacturing processes.

Data Analysis and Process Improvement

Analyse in-process data and apply principles of physics and chemical engineering to make informed process decisions and improvements.

Critically review formulation sheets to flag potential processing issues.

Utilise advanced analytical techniques to characterise polymers and other raw materials used in cosmetic formulations.

Implement statistical process control methods to monitor and improve product quality and consistency.

Cross-functional Collaboration

Collaborate closely with R&D teams to develop new formulations and improve existing products, providing expertise on process feasibility and scalability.

Working towards product/ process optimisation utilising proven knowledge of products containing polymorphs and undergoing complex temperature-time histories.

Liaise with the blending/ manufacturing team and support scale-up trials and product launches.

Work with the capital projects team ensuring process demands are captured in future asset requirements.

Supporting line commissioning and process/ product validation trials.

Liaise with suppliers to stay updated on the latest innovations in in-situ measurements and in-line sensing.

Documentation and Knowledge Management

Develop comprehensive technical literature, including R&D reports, operational manuals (SOP), acceptance test procedures, and risk assessments.

Create and maintain a knowledge base of polymer applications in cosmetics, including their physical and chemical properties, to support ongoing product development efforts.

Requirements:

PhD in Chemical Engineering, Industrial/Lipid Chemistry/Science, or Applied Physics, with a strong focus on emulsion technology.

Alternatively MEng with granted CEng registration by IOP or IChemE for at least 2 years running.

Ability to critically think and evaluate situations to derive process decisions. A clear and solid understanding in the physics involved for the manufacture of emulsion type products.

Use of statistical analysis tools for trial and scale-up design.

Extensive knowledge of rheology and experience with rheological measurement techniques.

Profound understanding of polymer and lipid science and its applications in cosmetic formulations/ formulation engineering.

Proven experience in scale-up processes and batch manufacturing in the wider industrial chemistry industry.

Proven experience in industrial manufacturing and/ or contract R&D.

Proficiency in process safety methodologies (HAZOP, FMEA, LOPA) and their application in cosmetic manufacturing.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make data-driven decisions based on complex rheological and chemical data.

In-depth knowledge of cosmetic ingredients, including natural and synthetic polymers, emulsifiers, lipids, and their interactions.

Familiarity with GMP, TGA, FDA, ISO standards, and cosmetic regulatory requirements in major global markets.

Full literacy in P&ID and PFD and ability to design processes based on the information provided.

Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.

Strong project management skills and experience working with cross-functional teams.

Please note: The successful candidate will be required to complete a pre-employment medical questionnaire.

About us

Founded in 2009 by UK scientists and brothers, Elliot and Daniel Isaacs, we are a British, B Corp certified dermatological skincare brand, globally renowned for our age-defying heroes that deliver results without compromise.

Our mission is to simplify the route to great skin through the highest quality, most efficacious and trusted products on the market. All this is underpinned by our pioneering CSA Philosophy of vitamin C plus sunscreen by day, and vitamin A (retinoids) by night which addresses 90% of anti-ageing skincare needs to deliver more youthful-looking skin.

Culture & Benefits

We are fuelled by our commitment to sustainability, quality, efficiency, and an unwavering passion for our customers. Championing solutions-focused thinking, we possess a purpose-driven mentality and strive to work with integrity and agility, always. We are collaborative go-givers; our diverse talents work cross-functionally and we achieve more together. We are proud to do everything in-house, challenging the norm and pushing the boundaries of possibility. It’s just who we are!

Some of the perks of being part of the Medik8 team include:
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays
- Flexible & Hybrid working
- Private Medical Insurance + Mental Health support
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Annual Performance Bonus
- Long Service Awards
- 75% discount + Annual Product Allowance
- Flexible Career opportunities
- Up-skilling support + regular Lunch & Learns
- 2 Volunteering days per year
- Matched Charitable Giving Scheme

Want to do a little more research before you apply?

Head over to our main careers page to find out more about the team and our values. You can also find out more about us on LinkedIn, Glassdoor & Instagram.


At Medik8, we believe that diversity within our workplace drives innovation. We celebrate multiple backgrounds, cultures, approaches and points of view, and believe that when people feel respected and included, they can truly flourish. We’re committed to advancing equal opportunities and we’re dedicated to building a workforce as diverse as our consumer base, creating a multifaceted, equitable and inclusive culture and allowing all colleagues to bring their whole selves to work.

Our DE&I ethos also flows through our recruitment process. Studies have found that minority groupings tend to apply for roles only when they meet 100% of the role requirements, in comparison to non-minority grouping tend to apply when they meet only 60% of the role requirements (Hewlett Packard ). The requirements listed in our job descriptions are guidelines, not hard and fast rules, so if you think you meet 60+ of the role spec and are passionate, excited & feel like you have the potential to fulfil the rest - then we want to hear from you!

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Created on 02/06/2025 by TN United Kingdom