Senior Chemist

Universalbeauty; Glendale Heights (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the beauty industry seeks a Senior Chemist to join their R&D team. This key role involves formulation and process development of skincare and personal care products, requiring deep formulation knowledge and a passion for innovation. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience and a desire to create compliant, market-aligned products.

Qualifications

• Minimum 6 years of experience in personal care/skincare formulation.
• In-depth knowledge of cosmetic formulation science.
• Strong knowledge of cosmetic regulations and GMP.

Responsibilities

• Lead formulation efforts for new skincare and personal care products.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to bring concepts to life.
• Prepare and test prototype formulations for performance and safety.

Skills

Problem-solving

Project management

Communication

Organizational skills

Time management

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemistry, Cosmetic Science

Job description

As a Senior Chemist, you will join the Research & Development (R&D) team to assist in all aspects of formulation and process development. This role is critical to the formulation, innovation, and technical development of skincare and personal care products. The ideal candidate will possess deep formulation experience, exceptional problem-solving abilities, and a passion for creating products that align with both regulatory standards and market trends.

Responsibilities:

• Lead formulation efforts for new and innovative skincare, haircare, and personal care products (e.g., emulsions, gels, balms, oils, shampoos, pomades, mousses).
• Reverse engineer existing market products to support development or reformulation projects.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including marketing, regulatory, production and quality control to bring concepts to life.
• Reformulate existing products in compliance with evolving regulatory guidelines (e.g., FDA, GMP).
• Research and evaluate novel raw materials and ingredient technologies to drive innovation.
• Prepare and test prototype formulations, ensuring performance, stability, and safety.
• Maintain accurate records, including batch notebooks, sample tracking, and formulation logs.
• Assist regulatory affairs with documentation and compliance activities.
• Provide technical support to production teams during scale-up and manufacturing.
• Support the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for batching, quality control, and product development.
• Evaluate and recommend lab and production equipment necessary for R&D efforts.
• Mentor and guide junior chemists and interns within the R&D team.
• Stay informed of industry trends, new materials, and competitive product launches.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemistry, Cosmetic Science, or related field (Master's preferred).
• Minimum 6 years of experience in personal care/skincare formulation, preferably in a manufacturing or contract development setting.
• In-depth knowledge of cosmetic formulation science, including emulsions (O/W, W/O), natural and organic formulations, and basic OTC familiarity.
• Strong knowledge of cosmetic regulations (e.g., FDA, EU, INCI) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
• Proven track record of independent product development, from concept through commercialization.
• Excellent project management, time management, and organizational skills.
• Strong communication skills (written and verbal) and ability to present technical data effectively.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Skills/Qualifications:

• Experience working with natural, sustainable, or clean beauty formulations.
• Background in organic chemistry or raw material synthesis a plus.
• Familiarity with global regulatory standards and product registration processes.
• Working knowledge of international cosmetic regulations (e.g., EU, Canada, ASEAN, China NMPA).
• Experience with troubleshooting manufacturing issues and batch inconsistencies.
• Competence in developing and executing stability protocols and interpreting shelf-life data.
• Strong understanding of raw material INCI names, MSDS interpretation, and supplier documentation.
• Ability to participate in or lead innovative brainstorming sessions with marketing and product teams.
• Ability to interpret and apply clinical testing data to support formulation improvements
• Understanding product life cycle management from R&D to commercialization.
• Knowledge of claims substantiation, consumer testing, and performance evaluation protocols.
• Prior experience working with contract manufacturers or in a CMO/CDMO environment.
• Previous experience in mentoring or team leadership.