Research Scientist, Product Development

PrettyLitter, Inc.; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 108,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wellness stipend

Flexible vacation

401(k) with employer matching

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Company retreats travel support

Free/discounted product

Job summary

PrettyLitter, Inc. is seeking a hands-on Research Scientist to join our R&D team in Boston, MA. You will own product development from formulation and prototyping to DOE and scale-up with influence over material selection and product platforms.

We value a material-science-minded researcher with 4–6 years of lab experience who can drive innovation, collaborate cross-functionally, and work on early-stage technologies to feed future product pipelines in a full-time, onsite role.

Qualifications

• 4–6 years of relevant laboratory and product development experience.
• Strong foundation in material science and functionalization for end-use products.
• Hands-on lab work including formulation, prototyping, design of experiments, and iterative testing.
• Able to collaborate cross-functionally and translate findings to stakeholders.
• Based in the Boston, MA area and able to commute.

Responsibilities

• Lead prototype development and design of experiments to advance products.
• Evaluate coatings, substrates, and material functionalization for performance and manufacturability.
• Develop physical-chemical characterization methods and specifications.
• Coordinate with manufacturing and supply chain to scale lab formulations.
• Produce scientific data supporting product development, claims, IP strategy.
• Provide timely scientific input to support key decisions with R&D and Operations.
• Evaluate early-stage technologies and materials for future pipeline.

Skills

Lab experience

Material science

Lab prototyping

Cross-functional collaboration

Boston-area resident

4–6 years experience

Material functionalization

Job description

PrettyLitter is a cat litter that goes beyond the basics, offering a blend of health monitoring and convenience. Its signature feature is the color-changing crystals that react to changes in your cat’s urine pH, potentially alerting you to early signs of health issues like urinary tract infections or kidney problems. Beyond health monitoring, PrettyLitter prioritizes a cleaner and more pleasant experience for both cats and their humans.

Our commitment to cat health extends beyond litter; we offer a range of complementary products, including cat food, treats, and accessories, creating a holistic approach to feline well-being. We are a team of highly capable, curious, and inclusive people who are eager to roll up our sleeves and work together to tackle or build anything, and we can’t wait for you to join us!

We're looking for a hands-on Research Scientist to join our R&D team and help bring new products to life from formulation and prototyping to the design of experiments and manufacturing scale-up. This is a great opportunity for a materials-minded scientist who wants hands-on ownership of product development, with real influence over material selection, quality standards, and next-generation product platforms.

What You’ll Do

• Own product development execution by leading prototype development, iterative formulation, and design of experiments to advance new and existing products


• Drive material science innovation by evaluating coatings, substrates, and material functionalization approaches for performance, durability, and manufacturability


• Develop physical-chemical characterization methods, specifications, and ongoing product monitoring processes


• Partner with manufacturing and supply chain to translate lab-scale formulations into production-ready processes


• Produce high-quality scientific data that supports new product development, product claims, and IP strategy


• Work closely with R&D, Operations and external partners to provide timely and reliable scientific input to support key decisions


• Support early-stage evaluation of new technologies and materials that could feed our future innovation pipeline

What You Bring

• 4-6 years of relevant laboratory and product development experience


• Strong foundation in material science, with a deep understanding of how materials can be functionalized for an end-use product


• Experience with hands-on laboratory work, including formulation, prototyping, design of experiments, and iterative testing


• Comfort operating in early-stage innovation environments


• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills; able to translate scientific findings into decision-ready insights for technical and non-technical stakeholders


• Based in (or able to reliably commute to) the Boston, MA area


• This is a full-time, exempt position


• The base salary range for this role is $108k - $160k per year, determined based on experience, skills and location. Additionally, this position is eligible for the company’s annual bonus program.


• This role is based in Boston, MA and requires regular presence in office


• Employees will travel approximately 2-3 weeks per year for company retreats and meet-ups


• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance


• 401(k) with employer matching


• Flexible vacation


• Generous and personalized wellness stipend


• Charitable donation matching up to $3,000 per year and paid volunteer days


• Opportunities for career development (and a lot of opportunities for growth and learning within PrettyLitter)


• Fully accommodated travel to onsites and company retreats


• Free and discounted product

Pretty Litter, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer with opportunities for advancement. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories.