Junior Toxicologist - Finished Products

LUSH; Poole; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

A pioneering cosmetics company is seeking a Junior Toxicologist to ensure the safety of products before launch. The role involves conducting animal-free safety assessments, preparing necessary regulatory documentation, and collaborating across teams. Candidates should have a relevant degree and strong analytical skills. Benefits include 25 days holiday, parental leave, and employee discounts.

Benefits

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Parental leave

Employee discounts

Bonus scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Good understanding of toxicity assessment methods.
• Experience with in vitro testing is a plus.
• Strong time management and organization skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct animal-free safety assessments.
• Prepare safety certificates and Safety Data Sheets.
• Evaluate compliance with regulatory standards.

Skills

Toxicology knowledge

Analytical skills

Data management

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor or Masters degree in Biology, Chemistry or Toxicology

Tools

Google Suite

Microsoft Office

Job description

Application Deadline: 29 August 2025

Department: Toxicology

Location: Poole

Compensation: £33,000 - £36,000 / year

Description

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!

Who we are
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 Living Wage Foundation’s statement 'a hard day's work deserves a fair day's pay' is one that we are proud to commit to in the UK. As an accredited Living Wage employer, we put our people first and fight cruel practices like animal testing, promote regeneration, and show that it is what’s inside that counts - whether that’s an ingredient in a product, or the minerals in a smartphone.

The role
The Junior Toxicologist ensures the safety of the finished products before they are launched in a completely animal-free way

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 such as XCellr8.

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

Key Responsibilities

• Conducting animal-free safety assessments of new finished products and their impurities for established toxicological endpoints, including genotoxicity, skin sensitisation, and systemic toxicity.
• Tracking new products launching by attending Product Ops meetings, staying updated on the product spreadsheet, and maintaining the New Products Launching spreadsheet.
• Preparation of safety certificates
• Communicating any new ingredient present in the product with the Ingredients Junior Toxicologist
• Ensuring compliance with IFRA standards
• Creating Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for finished products
• Assessing safety for Proposition 65 and CMR (Carcinogenic,
• Mutagenic, or Toxic for Reproduction) materials
• Evaluating product safety for North American and non-EU markets
• Ensuring regulatory compliance in the EU and globally through continuous learning and research to stay aligned with scientific advancements and evolving regulations
• Assessing the cumulative effects of products
• Coordinating communication across various teams (mainly Buying, Compliance, Product testing, Quality control and Inventors)
• Participation in training sessions, webinars and conferences.
  
  

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Bachelor or Masters degree in Biology, Chemistry or Toxicology
• Deep understanding of Toxicology and assessment methods
• Good knowledge of in vitro testing of chemicals
• Bibliographical research
• Organisation and management of own time and workload
• Strong analytical skills.
• Confident in using Google Suite and Microsoft, along with additional programmes required by the role, such as for SDS management
• Confident with data management
• Excellent and effective written and verbal communication skills
• Curiosity and drive to learn and develop skills through the work that is completed
• Experience in cosmetics would be appreciated
  
  

Benefits

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• 6 months of full pay for parental leave (primary caregiver must qualify for SMP)
• Enhanced paternity leave*
• Bonus scheme
• Day off for weekday birthdays
• Holiday purchase scheme
• 50% discount on Lush products and spa treatments
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounted rail and bus season tickets
• Employee assistance programme
• Financial childcare support on return to work*
• 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.
• Support groups, film nights, yoga, meditation sessions and much more
• *Tailored gender affirming care

*qualifying period/hours required

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