Research Scientist (Haircare/Skincare)

YSQ International; Klang City; On-site; MYR 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in personal care products in Klang City is looking for a Product Development Specialist. You will be responsible for formulation product development in haircare and skincare, leading research activities, and ensuring compliance with quality standards. The successful candidate should have a degree in chemistry or a related field and at least 2 years of experience in product development. Strong project management skills and excellent communication abilities are essential. Join us to innovate and improve our product offerings.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of experience in product development, formulation, or related roles.
• Ability to seek innovative solutions and drive results to completion.
• Demonstrated motivation and excellent work ethic.

Responsibilities

• Lead research activities in skin and hair care product development.
• Research and propose innovative concepts aligned with consumer trends.
• Maintain meticulous records to ensure data integrity and traceability.

Skills

Technical knowledge of haircare/skincare products

Project management

Multitasking

Effective teamwork

Excellent communication skills

Education

Bachelor, Masters or Ph.D in Chemistry, Cosmetic Science, Chemical Engineering

Job description

Overview

The incumbent shall be responsible for all aspects of formulation product development within haircare/skincare, including formula development, sourcing of new and innovative raw materials, sample preparation and costing. He/She will be expected to work on multiple projects designing experiments to support product development and stability testing. He/she shall be actively involved in open innovations projects, research and development work and gauge performance by establishing quality standards; developing operations, quality, and troubleshooting procedures; ensuring staff compliance; certifying instrument performance etc. The role shall work closely with key senior personnel and management in understanding the needs of the company and meeting timelines in producing desired research results.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Lead research activities in skin and hair care product, covering proof of concept, experimental setup, formulation, process development, optimization, product evaluation, and risk/hazard assessments.
• Research and propose innovative skin and hair care concepts aligned with consumer trends, unmet needs, and regulatory requirements.
• Explore disruptive technologies and scientific approaches to enhance product performance, safety, efficacy, and user experience.
• Develop and refine formulations; manage prototype evaluations, stability testing, and iterative improvements based on data and feedback.
• Conduct laboratory tests and generate substantiating data for claims on safety, stability, efficacy, and sensory attributes such as texture and feel.
• Maintain meticulous records of formulations, procedures, and results to ensure data integrity and traceability.
• Support production scale-up, manufacturing trials, pre-commercialization testing, and process optimization, while driving continuous improvement and eliminating inefficiencies.
• Stay up to date with industry research, new ingredients, and emerging trends to identify opportunities for innovation and sustainability.
• Perform additional tasks as assigned by management.

Qualifications & Requirements

• A Bachelor, Masters or Ph.D in Chemistry, Cosmetic Science, Chemical Engineering or any equivalent degree.
• Minimum 2 years of development experience including product development, formulation, process development, innovation, or related roles preferably in haircare/skincare manufacturing environment.
• Excellent technical knowledge of haircare/skincare products and raw materials relating to their use and functions.
• Ability to lead and manage projects independently, seek innovative solutions, continuous improvement of product and process, and drive results to completion on schedule.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and prioritize work while multitasking.
• Demonstrate motivation and excellent work ethic.
• Must work effectively in team environments.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.