Wet Chemist

Talnt; Akron (OH); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Talnt seeks a Wet Chemist to support R&D formulating, testing, and optimizing liquid, semi-solid, and emulsion products for nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and personal care in a regulated manufacturing setting. Responsibilities include bench-scale formulation, stability studies, analytical testing, and collaboration across QA, manufacturing, and supply chain to bring products from concept to commercialization.

The ideal candidate has strong wet chemistry, formulation science, and experience in

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or a related scientific field.
• Minimum of five years of R&D experience in regulated environments.
• Hands-on formulation of oil-in-water emulsions and other wet-chemistry products.
• Knowledge of cGMP, FDA regulations, and quality systems.

Responsibilities

• Formulate water-based, oil-based, and emulsion products for nutraceuticals and cosmetics.
• Lead bench-scale experiments and scale-up for production.
• Perform analytical testing including pH, viscosity, and organoleptic evaluations.
• Develop batch records, specifications, and processing parameters.
• Manage stability studies and shelf-life assessments.
• Collaborate with QA, Manufacturing, purchasing, and supply chain to resolve issues.
• Ensure compliance with cGMP and quality systems.

Skills

Wet chemistry

Formulation science

Analytical testing

Laboratory experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or related field

Tools

ERP systems

Microsoft Office

Laboratory software

Job description

About the Role:

The Wet Chemist supports Research and Development by formulating, testing, and optimizing innovative liquid, semi-solid, and emulsion-based products within a regulated manufacturing environment. This role is responsible for developing nutraceutical, dietary supplement, cosmetic, and personal care formulations, conducting laboratory testing, managing stability programs, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to bring new products from concept through commercialization. The ideal candidate has strong wet chemistry, formulation science, analytical testing, and laboratory experience in a fast-paced Research and Development environment.

Responsibilities:

• Formulate and develop water-based, oil-based, and emulsion-based products for dietary supplements, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and personal care applications.
• Support Research and Development projects from concept through commercialization, including feasibility assessments, formulation development, laboratory testing, and process optimization.
• Conduct bench-scale laboratory experiments to evaluate formulation performance, stability, manufacturability, and product quality.
• Perform analytical and physical testing including viscosity, pH, Brix, specific gravity, gel strength, density, appearance, odor, color, texture, and other organoleptic evaluations.
• Develop manufacturing procedures, batch records, mixing instructions, and processing parameters to support production scale-up.
• Create finished product specifications, in-process quality standards, and testing protocols while evaluating ingredient compatibility and analytical interference.
• Develop and manage real-time and accelerated stability studies to establish product shelf life and monitor long-term product performance.
• Monitor environmental stability chambers and coordinate routine sample collection for internal, microbiological, and third-party laboratory testing.
• Maintain accurate formulation records, laboratory notebooks, technical documentation, and product specifications in accordance with quality standards.
• Research and evaluate raw materials, active ingredients, excipients, and cosmetic ingredients for functionality, regulatory compliance, quality, and performance.
• Collaborate with Research and Development, Quality Assurance, Manufacturing, Purchasing, and Supply Chain teams to resolve formulation and manufacturing challenges.
• Troubleshoot formulation issues, investigate process improvements, and support successful product commercialization.
• Ensure all Research and Development activities comply with cGMP requirements, FDA regulations, food safety standards, and internal quality systems.
• Stay current with emerging formulation technologies, ingredient innovations, and scientific research to support continuous product development.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Food Science, Cosmetic Science, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biology, or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum of five years of Research and Development experience within nutraceutical, dietary supplement, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, food, chemical, or other regulated manufacturing environments.
• Hands-on experience formulating oil-in-water emulsions, water-in-oil emulsions, liquid formulations, gels, creams, lotions, tinctures, suspensions, and other wet chemistry products.
• Strong understanding of formulation chemistry, ingredient compatibility, stability science, rheology, preservation systems, surfactants, emulsifiers, and product performance testing.
• Experience conducting bench-scale development, pilot production, manufacturing scale-up, and process validation.
• Knowledge of cGMP, FDA regulations, laboratory best practices, food safety requirements, and quality management systems.
• Experience designing and managing accelerated and real-time stability programs.
• Ability to interpret analytical testing results, laboratory data, Certificates of Analysis, and technical specifications.
• Proficiency with ERP systems, Microsoft Office, laboratory software, and scientific documentation.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, project management, and technical communication skills.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience in contract manufacturing or private label manufacturing environments.
• Familiarity with analytical laboratory instrumentation and wet chemistry testing methodologies.
• Experience supporting technology transfer, continuous improvement, and manufacturing optimization.
• Knowledge of dietary supplement, cosmetic, and personal care regulatory requirements.
• Experience utilizing AI tools, scientific databases, or formulation software to support Research and Development initiatives.
• Professional certifications in project management, Lean Six Sigma, or quality systems are a plus.