Senior Scientist - Analytical Testing

Estée Lauder Companies; Melville (NY); On-site; USD 75,350 - 112,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Paid leave programs

Education programs

Wellness programs

Disability insurance

Job summary

Estée Lauder Companies in Melville, NY, seeks a Senior Scientist to join the R&D SAS team. You will lead analytical testing across cosmetics, skincare and haircare, analyze ingredients and finished products, and help troubleshoot formulation and manufacturing challenges.

You will develop and validate new analytical methods, manage multiple projects with minimal supervision, and communicate insights to stakeholders to support product safety, quality, performance, and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemistry or related field.
• 5+ years of analytical experience.
• Strong knowledge of HPLC and GC; MS desirable.
• Proficiency with cGMP and quality systems.
• Ability to analyze complex data and communicate findings.

Responsibilities

• Analyze raw materials and formulations to support innovation, development, and regulatory registration.
• Troubleshoot and resolve critical issues related to formula, production, and packaging.
• Characterize new active ingredients and botanicals with detailed analytical data.
• Prepare comprehensive technical reports for internal stakeholders and management.
• Develop and validate new analytical methods to enhance lab capabilities.

Skills

Analytical chemistry

HPLC

GC

Mass spectrometry

Data interpretation

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem-solving

Education

PhD in Chemistry

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

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.

Description

This position is for a Senior Scientist to join our R&D Special Analytical Services (SAS) team in Melville, NY. This role entails: Leading analytical testing and characterization of active ingredients, raw materials, packaging components, intermediates, and finished products across our global cosmetics, skincare, and haircare portfolio. Will help troubleshoot critical formulation and manufacturing issues as well as, develop and validate new analytical methods. Expected to manage multiple projects, interpreting results, and communicating findings to stakeholders; Working with minimal supervision, to deliver high-quality analytical data that supports product safety, quality, performance, and regulatory compliance, while partnering with formulation and packaging teams to troubleshoot challenges and drive innovation throughout product development and production.

• 30% – Analyze raw materials and product formulations to support innovation, product development, and regulatory registration efforts.
• 30% – Troubleshoot and resolve critical issues related to formula innovation, production processes, and packaging compatibility.
• 15% – Characterize new active ingredients and botanicals, providing detailed analytical data to support formulation and claims development.
• 15% – Prepare comprehensive technical reports for internal stakeholders and management and actively participate in data review and project discussion meetings.
• 10% – Develop and validate new analytical methods to enhance laboratory capabilities and support evolving business needs.

Qualifications

PhD Degree in Chemistry or related Field

5 Years of experience

Travel <5%

• Strong technical expertise in analytical and physical chemistry methods and instrumentation.
• Strong knowledge of High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Gas Chromatography (GC). Proficiency in Mass Spectrometry is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Rheology and Microscopy preferred.
• Ability to analyze and interpret complex analytical data, identify trends, deviations, or critical issues, and communicate findings or elevate as appropriate.
• Demonstrates capability to manage multiple analytical projects simultaneously, effectively prioritize tasks, and deliver results within established timelines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly present technical results and key insights to senior management and cross‑functional partners.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong independent problem‑solving and decision‑making skills, with the ability to work effectively under minimal supervision.
• Proven experience collaborating with cross‑functional teams, including R&D SAS, formulation scientists, QA/Regulatory, and manufacturing.
• Commitment to staying current with emerging analytical technologies, industry standards, and regulatory guidelines, and proactively recommending improvements to laboratory capabilities and workflows.
• Working knowledge of current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) and related quality systems.
• Strong troubleshooting and root‑cause analysis skills.

Pay Range

The anticipated base salary range for this position is $75,350.00 to $112,500.00. Exact salary depends on several factors such as experience, skills, education, and budget. Salary range may vary based on geographic location. In addition to base salary, this position is eligible for participation in a highly competitive bonus program with the possibility for overachievement based on performance and company results.

Benefits

• health insurance coverage (medical, dental, and vision insurance)
• wellness and family support programs
• life and disability insurance
• retirement savings plans
• paid leave programs
• education‑related programs
• paid holidays and vacation time
• many others

Equal Opportunity Employer

It is Company's policy not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition as defined by applicable state or local law, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. The Company will endeavor to provide a reasonable accommodation consistent with the law to otherwise qualified employees and prospective employees with a disability and to employees and prospective employees with needs related to their religious observance or practices.

Michigan Applicants: Persons with disabilities needing accommodations for employment must notify the company in writing of the need for an accommodation within 182 days after the date the person with a disability knew or reasonably should have known that an accommodation was needed.

Philadelphia Applicants: Philadelphia's Fair Chance Hiring Law

Rhode Island Applicants: The company is subject to chapters 29-38 of title 28 of the general laws of Rhode Island and is therefore covered by the state's workers' compensation law.