Principal Scientist - Skin Health

Kelly Services-Portugal; Summit (NJ); Hybrid; USD 76,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Paid time off

Holidays

401K

Job summary

Kelly Science and Clinical is seeking a Principal Scientist for NA Skin Health & Consumer Science, based in Summit, NJ, with a hybrid schedule (2-3 days on site). You will lead and execute consumer research to support multiple iconic brands, guiding insights into product development and marketing strategies.

You will collaborate with cross-functional teams across Marketing, Product Development, Design, Data Science, and Insights, applying qualitative and quantitative methods and advancing

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 6+ years or Master’s with 4-6 years or PhD with 2+ years in qualitative and quantitative research in Consumer Science, Sensory Science or Market Research.
• Strong knowledge of qualitative, quantitative, and sensory methodologies in consumer science and product development.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategy, design, and execution of exploratory qualitative and quantitative research across product development.
• Serve as Consumer Science representative on cross-disciplinary teams; co-develop learning plans with Business Intelligence.
• Translate consumer voice into actionable insights to inform direction and drive consumer-centric innovation.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to ensure quality and timely research execution.
• Coordinate external vendors to ensure methodological rigor, timelines and deliverables.
• Lead data analysis and collaborate with Data Science to enhance insights through analytics and modeling.
• Monitor activities across projects to align with priorities and resources.

Skills

Qualitative research

Quantitative research

Consumer Science

Sensory Science

Market Research

Communication

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree etc.

Job description

Principal Scientist, NA Skin Health & Consumer Science
Kelly Science and Clinicalhas an opening for a Principal Scientist for an engagement at one of our Global consumer product & pharmaceutical clients inSummit, NJ. The role is eligible for medical benefits, paid time off including vacation (PTO), and holidays, and 401K. If you’re passionate about bringing the latest scientific discoveries to life and are ready to take the next step in your career, trust The Experts at Hiring Experts.

Schedule: Mon-Fri, 8AM-5PM
Location: Hybrid, 2-3days/wk onsite in Summit NJ
Duration: 9mo, can extend
Compensation: $55-$68/hr

Summary

The Principal Scientist will be a key member of the Skin Health Consumer Science team within the North America R&D organization, supporting the development of innovative products across the Skin Health portfolio. This role is responsible for leading and executing consumer research to support multiple iconic brands.

You will play a critical role in fostering a strong consumer-centric culture within R&D by building deep consumer understanding and translating insights into actionable guidance through effective communication and close collaboration with cross-functional partners, including Marketing, Product Development, Design, Data Science, and Insights.

In addition to applying best-in-class traditional consumer research methodologies, you will be expected to advance and innovate research capabilities through the use of agile digital research tools, data science and advanced analytics, and modeling techniques. These capabilities will be leveraged to inform key project and program objectives, accelerate decision-making, and strengthen the link between consumer needs and product solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategy, design, and execution of exploratory qualitative and quantitative research, including product design and optimization studies, benchmarking, and consumer-perceived claims validation, in alignment with project team objectives and industry-standard consumer science methodologies.
  
• Serve as the Consumer Science representative on multiple cross-disciplinary project teams, partnering closely with Consumer Business Intelligence (CBI) to co-develop comprehensive consumer learning plans that address business and technical decision needs.
  
• Translate and communicate the voice of the consumer into clear, compelling insights to inform project direction, enable effective decision-making, and drive consumer-centric innovation.
  
• Drive strong collaboration and seamless communication with internal and external partners, ensuring high-quality and timely execution of Consumer Science research activities.
  
• Coordinate and/or oversee the execution of Consumer Science studies, acting as the primary liaison with external research vendors to ensure methodological rigor, timelines, and deliverable quality.
  
• Lead data analysis, synthesis, and interpretation of research findings, delivering actionable insights to project teams; collaborate with Data Science partners to enhance study value through advanced analytics and modeling, where appropriate.
  
• Monitor and manage Consumer Science activities across multiple projects, timelines, and consumer need states to ensure alignment with priorities and resource efficiency.
  
• Actively participate in the Consumer Science community of practice, contributing to capability building, knowledge sharing, and the advancement of a strong consumer-centric culture within the R&D organization.
  
• Identify, pilot, and implement new methodologies, advanced techniques, and innovative approaches, or enhance existing qualitative and quantitative methods to improve effectiveness, efficiency, and impact of Consumer Science research.
  
• Ensure all Consumer Science activities are conducted in accordance with high ethical and quality standards, as well as all applicable company procedures and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Education and Experience
  • Bachelor’s degree with at least 6+ years or Master’s degree with 4-6 years or PhD degree with 2+ years of industry and/or relevant work experience in qualitative and quantitative research in Consumer Science, Sensory Science or Market Research is required.
    
• Technical Expertise
  • Strong knowledge of qualitative, quantitative, and/or sensory consumer science methodologies, with a solid understanding of research approaches relevant to Consumer Science and product development.
    
• Research & Analytical Skills
  • Proven experience in designing, executing, documenting, and interpreting consumer research studies, with strong analytical thinking and the ability to synthesize data into actionable insights.
    
• Communication & Independence
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work independently, clearly articulate insights, and influence cross-functional stakeholders. Experience in navigating complex organizational structure and decision making process is a plus.
    
• Industry Experience (Preferred)
  • Experience leading consumer and claims substantiation research within the cosmetic, skincare, personal care, and/or OTC consumer products categories is preferred.
    
• Data & Advanced Analytics (Preferred)
  • Experience collaborating with or leveraging data science, advanced analytics, or modeling techniques to enhance consumer research outcomes is preferred.
    
• Leadership & Collaboration
  • Demonstrated ability to operate independently while building and managing strong internal and external partnerships to drive research execution and project success.
    
• Decision-Making & Agility
  • Ability to take measured risks, exercise sound judgment, and make well-informed decisions to advance projects in a fast-paced, innovation-driven environment.