Lab Assistant, Skincare

The Estee Lauder Companies Inc.; Melville (NY); On-site; USD 24,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Education-related programs

Paid holidays and vacation

Job summary

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. is seeking a Lab Assistant to support skincare formulation development. You will help with laboratory operations, prototype preparation, sample management, and routine testing to enable product innovation.

The role requires organization, attention to detail, and a passion for laboratory excellence, ensuring a safe, compliant lab while supporting multiple skincare projects.

Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, Cosmetic Science, or related field.
• 0-3 years laboratory experience, preferably in cosmetics or related industries.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong organizational, communication, and multitasking skills.

Responsibilities

• Support laboratory operations for skincare formulation development.
• Handle sample preparation, labeling, storage, and distribution.
• Maintain documentation and GLP-compliant records.
• Calibrate and maintain laboratory instruments as needed.
• Coordinate inventory and reorder supplies.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication

Multitasking

Teamwork

Education

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Chemistry/Biology/Cosmetic Science

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. is one of the world’s leading manufacturers, marketers, and sellers of quality skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products, and is a steward of luxury and prestige brands globally. The company’s products are sold in approximately 150 countries and territories under brand names including: Estée Lauder, Aramis, Clinique, Lab Series, Origins, M·A·C, La Mer, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, Aveda, Jo Malone London, Bumble and bumble, Darphin Paris, TOM FORD, Smashbox, AERIN Beauty, Le Labo, Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle, GLAMGLOW, KILIAN PARIS, Too Faced, Dr.Jart+, the DECIEM family of brands, including The Ordinary and NIOD, and BALMAIN Beauty.

Description

The Lab Assistant, Skincare Formulation provides critical laboratory support to formulation scientists developing new skincare products and improving existing formulas. This role is responsible for laboratory operations, prototype preparation support, sample management, routine analytical testing, equipment maintenance, inventory coordination, and documentation activities that enable efficient product development and innovation.

The successful candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, and passionate about laboratory excellence. This individual will play a key role in maintaining a safe, compliant, and efficient laboratory environment while supporting multiple skincare development projects.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Laboratory Operations

• Maintain daily laboratory readiness, cleanliness, and organization.
• Stock laboratory supplies, components, and consumables.
• Return raw materials and equipment to designated storage areas.
• Prepare laboratory workspaces for formulation and testing activities.
• Support sample preparation, labeling, storage, and distribution.

Stability & Sample Management

• Pull stability samples according to established schedules.
• Track and organize samples across multiple studies.
• Return samples to designated environmental chambers following evaluation.
• Support fragrance, microbiology, and other cross-functional sample submissions.

Analytical Testing Support

• Perform routine laboratory evaluations, including pH measurements, viscosity testing, rheology evaluations, color measurements, stability assessments, and raw material evaluations.
• Accurately record and report test results.

Equipment Maintenance

• Calibrate laboratory instruments, including pH meters and related equipment.
• Perform routine checks on laboratory systems and utilities.
• Coordinate equipment maintenance and submit repair requests as needed.
• Ensure equipment is operating safely and efficiently.

Inventory & Supply Management

• Monitor inventory levels of raw materials and laboratory supplies.
• Review materials for expiration and dispose of expired materials according to procedures.
• Coordinate ordering and replenishment of laboratory supplies.
• Support organization of raw material and component inventories.

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain accurate laboratory records and testing documentation.
• Support data entry and sample tracking activities.
• Follow Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), company policies, and safety requirements.
• Ensure laboratory activities comply with established SOPs and quality standards.

Team Support

• Partner with formulation scientists to support prototype development and testing activities.
• Collaborate with Product Development, Quality Assurance, Manufacturing, Microbiology, and other cross-functional partners.
• Assist with project-related laboratory activities to support development timelines.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree or Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, Cosmetic Science, or a related scientific discipline.
• 0-3 years of laboratory experience, preferably within cosmetics, personal care, pharmaceutical, consumer products, or related industries.
• Basic understanding of laboratory safety and scientific documentation practices.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong organizational, communication, and multitasking skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced team environment.

Pay Range:

The anticipated hourly range for this position is $17.50 to $25.50. Exact hourly rate depends on several factors such as experience, skills, education, and budget. Hourly range may vary based on geographic location. In addition to hourly rate, this position may be eligible for an annual discretionary bonus, education, and budget. Salary range may vary based on geographic location.

In addition to base salary, this position is eligible for participation in a highly competitive bonus program with the possibility for overachievement based on performance and company results. In addition, The Estée Lauder Companies offers a variety of benefits to eligible employees, including health insurance coverage (medical, dental, and vision insurance), wellness and family support programs, life and disability insurance, retirement savings plans, paid leave programs, education-related programs, paid holidays and vacation time, and many others. Many of these benefits are subsidized or fully paid for by the company.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

It is Company's policy not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition as defined by applicable state or local law, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. The Company will endeavor to provide a reasonable accommodation consistent with the law to otherwise qualified employees and prospective employees with a disability and to employees and prospective employees with needs related to their religious observance or practices.

Michigan Applicants: Persons with disabilities needing accommodations for employment must notify the company in writing of the need for an accommodation within 182 days after the date the person with a disability knew or reasonably should have known that an accommodation was needed.

Philadelphia Applicants: Philadelphia's Fair Chance Hiring Law

Rhode Island Applicants: The company is subject to chapters 29-38 of title 28 of the general laws of Rhode Island and is therefore covered by the state's workers' compensation law.