Principal Scientist - Clinical and Scientist Affairs

The Estée Lauder Companies; Melville (NY); On-site; USD 110,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement savings plans

Wellness and family support programs

Job summary

Estée Lauder Companies is seeking a Principal Scientist to link R&D and Brand Marketing, translating consumer concepts into scientifically valid data. This position involves developing substantiation strategies for skin care products and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. Ideal candidates will hold a PhD and possess over 5 years of relevant industry experience; exceptional communicators who can present technical data engagingly are highly valued. The position offers a competitive salary range of $110,000 to $125,000 based on experience and qualifications.

In addition, employees can benefit from comprehensive health insurance, retirement plans, and various supportive programs.

Qualifications

• PhD degree in relevant sciences or PharmD (5+ years experience).
• 5+ years experience in dermatology, skincare, or personal care industry.
• Exceptional communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop scientific substantiation plans for product claims.
• Translate complex scientific findings for Marketing and Product Development.
• Collaborate across R&D functions to drive innovation.

Skills

Scientific substantiation

Communication

Clinical method development

Project management

Education

PhD in Biology, Chemistry, Engineering or PharmD

Job description

Company Overview

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.

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly collaborative Principal Scientist to serve as a liaison between our Research & Development (R&D) teams and Brand Marketing, to develop novel claims. This individual will play a critical role in translating marketing consumer concepts into actionable and scientifically supportable data, and also translating complex scientific data into compelling product stories, ensuring scientific credibility while aligning with brand strategy and consumer expectations.

Responsibilities

• Design and Execute Substantiation Strategies
  • Develop scientific substantiation plans for product claims (clinical efficacy and tolerance mainly) within the skincare category on select projects/brands.
  • Help translate upstream innovation and ingredients’ mechanisms of action into actionable clinical strategies.
  • Analyze internal and external in vitro, ex vivo, and clinical data (inclusive of the scientific literature) to confirm the validity of product benefits and the consumer relevance of the claims.
  • Partner with Clinical Testing, Clinical translation, and Consumer Sciences teams to develop innovative protocols for claim substantiation and ensure robust data generation.
• Scientific Interpretation & Communication
  • Translate complex scientific findings into clear, compelling product stories for Marketing and Product Development.
  • Prepare claims dossiers, data summaries, and technical presentations for internal review.
• Cross-Functional Partnership
  • Collaborate closely across all R&D functions and with Product Development/Marketing, Consumer Insights and Legal teams to drive innovation and ensure claim validity and fit.
  • Serve as a scientific advisor during new product development, guiding feasible and differentiating claims early in formulation.
• Regulatory & Compliance Oversight
  • Ensure claims are aligned with the global regulatory requirements.
  • Maintain awareness of emerging scientific and consumer trends influencing skincare substantiation.

Qualifications

• PhD degree in relevant Sciences (eg Biology, Chemistry, Engineering) or PharmD (PhD + 5 years experience, BS + 10 years experience) – More experience required without PhD.
• 5+ Years experience in the dermatology, skin care or personal care industry with experience in claims support, clinical testing, or research experience in relevant fields.
• Demonstrated track record in translation of technical concepts for non-technical audiences.
• Working knowledge of skincare-related clinical methodologies and protocols (ie bio-instrumentation, clinical grading, clinical imaging and image analyses).
• Proven experience in clinical method development.
• Exceptional communication skills, with ability to translate technical data into engaging stories for non-technical audiences.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and work effectively across functions, within R&D and with commercial partners such as Marketing or Product Development.

Pay Range

Anticipated Base Salary Range $110,000.00 to $125,000.00 (Depending on qualifications, skills, experience and/or budget), based on a 40 hour work week (range to be scaled accordingly). 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, education-related programs, paid holidays and vacation time. In addition, the Company maintains highly competitive incentive compensation programs (role eligibility may vary based on terms of the respective plan(s)). You may be eligible to participate in the applicable Commission/Bonus Plan, under the plan guidelines in effect at the time of hire. Additional details regarding the commission plan will be provided as part of your onboarding.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an equal-opportunity employer. Minorities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Accommodations for job applicants with disabilities are available on request.