R&D Formulation Technician

Kelly Services; Newark (DE); On-site; USD 34,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Kelly Services seeks a motivated R&D Formulation Technician to support toxicology formulation studies in Newark, DE. You will prepare and evaluate formulations for in vivo and in vitro studies, ensuring accuracy, homogeneity, and stability.

This hands-on role offers extensive training and opportunities to build practical formulation and wet chemistry skills. Ideal candidates have a BS in Chemistry/ Biochemistry or related field, are detail-oriented, and eager to learn in a vivarium setting with

Qualifications

• BS in Chemistry or Biochemistry or related field preferred.
• Biology candidates with Chemistry minor will be considered.
• Familiarity with wet chemistry techniques such as pH measurement and solution preparation.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow SOPs/GLPs.

Responsibilities

• Prepare formulations for future products and reformulations used in research studies.
• Prepare test substances in rodent diets ensuring target concentrations and homogeneity.
• Perform wet chemistry techniques including pH measurement, weighing, pipetting, and dilutions.
• Apply chemistry principles to formulation challenges and troubleshoot issues.
• Handle pipetting with electronic pipettes and repeaters.
• Manage test substances per SOPs, GLPs, and safety requirements.
• Document formulation activities and maintain notebooks and data.

Skills

Pipetting

Wet chemistry

Concentration calculations

Documentation

SOPs/GLPs

Independent work

Education

BS in Chemistry/Biochemistry

Biology with Chemistry minor

Job description

R&D Formulation Technician

Join an R&D toxicology team supporting the development of future products and the reformulation of current products. This role is ideal for a recent graduate or early-career scientist with a Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related scientific background who is detail-oriented, eager to learn, and comfortable working in a hands-on laboratory environment.

You’ll help prepare and evaluate formulations used in rodent studies, with a focus on ensuring formulations meet target concentrations, are homogeneous, and remain stable. This is a collaborative role with extensive hands-on training and opportunities to build practical formulation and wet chemistry skills.

Pay & Schedule

Pay: $25-30/hr

Schedule: 8-hour schedule with start/end times selected within a 6:00 AM–6:00 PM window

Flexibility: Occasional schedule changes or overtime may be required based on study needs. Studies may need to begin early, so flexibility to support the team when needed is important.

Location: Newark, Delaware

Environment: This position works inside a vivarium but does not involve handling research animals.

The Role: What You’ll Do

As a Formulation Technician, you’ll support scientists with day-to-day formulation activities for in vivo and in vitro toxicology studies. You’ll work with a variety of test substances and help determine how to prepare formulations that are accurate, homogeneous, and stable.

• Formulation Development: Prepare formulations for future products and reformulations of existing products used in research studies.
• Rodent Diet Formulations: Prepare test substances in rodent diets and other appropriate formulations, ensuring target concentrations are achieved and formulations are homogeneous and stable.
• Wet Chemistry: Perform hands-on laboratory techniques including pH measurement, weighing, pipetting, serial dilutions, and preparation of solutions and suspensions.
• Problem Solving: Apply chemistry principles to formulation challenges—for example, determining what to do when a test substance does not dissolve in the intended vehicle or when a suspension is not sufficiently homogeneous.
• Pipetting: Perform frequent, accuracy-critical pipetting using electronic pipettes, repeaters, and other laboratory equipment.
• Sample & Test Substance Management: Receive, track, store, distribute, and dispose of test substances in accordance with SOPs, GLPs, safety requirements, and study needs.
• Documentation: Prepare formulation sheets, maintain laboratory notebooks, record raw data, and document formulation activities accurately and promptly.
• Procedures & Compliance: Follow established formulation, dosing, diet preparation, GLP, SOP, and safety procedures.
• Collaboration: Work closely with scientists, technicians, and other members of the R&D team while adapting to changing study priorities.
• Training & Qualification: Complete hands-on training and practice preparations and demonstrate proficiency before being signed off on specific formulation skills.

Qualifications

We’re looking for candidates who bring the following:

• Education: BS in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related scientific field preferred. Biology candidates with a Chemistry minor or demonstrated interest in developing chemistry skills will also be considered.
• Experience: Open to recent graduates with no professional laboratory experience. Candidates with an Associate degree and relevant experience or a high school diploma with significant relevant laboratory experience may also be considered.
• Chemistry Foundation: Understanding of basic chemistry principles and an interest in applying them to real-world formulation challenges.
• Wet Chemistry: Familiarity with laboratory techniques such as pH measurement, solution preparation, weighing, and dilution.
• Pipetting: Comfortable performing precise, repetitive pipetting and willing to learn electronic pipettes and repeater systems.
• Attention to Detail: Strong focus on accuracy, consistency, documentation, and following established procedures.
• Learning Mindset: Willingness and enthusiasm to learn new techniques, procedures, equipment, and scientific concepts.
• Physical Requirements: Comfortable regularly handling rodent-diet bags weighing approximately 25-30 lbs (15 kg).
• Vivarium Environment: Comfortable working in a vivarium environment and following required entry procedures, including showering before entering the vivarium.

Core Skills

• Basic chemistry or biochemistry principles.
• Wet chemistry and pH techniques.
• Accurate, high-volume pipetting.
• Solution preparation and serial dilution.
• Formulation and suspension preparation.
• Basic understanding of concentration calculations and algebra.
• Ability to recognize and troubleshoot formulation issues.
• Accurate laboratory documentation and data recording.
• Ability to follow SOPs, GLPs, safety procedures, and study-specific protocols.
• Strong attention to detail and consistency.
• Effective written and verbal communication.
• Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team.

What Makes Someone Successful

The most successful Formulation Technicians are curious, meticulous, flexible, and willing to learn. They take pride in producing accurate and repeatable formulations, recognize when something does not look right, and are comfortable asking questions and working with scientists to solve problems.

A strong chemistry foundation is helpful, but the right mindset is just as important. The role involves learning many new techniques and procedures, so candidates with varied scientific backgrounds who are open to developing their chemistry and formulation skills can be successful.

What Happens Next?

If your background aligns with this opportunity, a recruiter will follow up to discuss next steps.