RID Sr. Scientist

Kelly Scientific is seeking a Sr. Scientist with cosmetics experience to join a growing RID team at a company developing and manufacturing topical skin + wound care products for companies worldwide.

Job Title: RID Sr. Scientist

Location: Dallas metro area

Salary: $110-140,000 + benefits (DOE)

Position Summary: This Senior Scientist will be a major contributor to development activities and serve as a principal developer of formulation products applied in different delivery systems. The Senior Scientist will lead the formulation of a wide range of personal care products using existing and new technologies to support company-wide growth and future brand strategies. This role will ensure formulas meet the expected performance, safety and regulatory requirements, while experimenting with conventional and/or non­conventional/creative approaches.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Create formulas independently and follow up on product stability, with a solid understanding of the relationship between formulation and product development.
• Develop and optimize personal care product formulas.
• Lead and conduct bench trials to evaluate new and alternative raw materials
• Complete data analysis and interpretation to support conclusions with minimal supervision.
• Manage all aspects of pre-formulation to scale-up, including but not limited to process characterization, analytical test methods and technology transfer.
• Work closely with internal R&D, Manufacturing, QC, Client Services, Program Management and external collaborators on product development and QA issues.
• Mentor and provide technical directions to other scientists.
• Prepare laboratory batches for stability testing and other quality control procedures.
• Develop specifications for new and/or reformulated products, ensuring product quality.
• Serve as Lab Applications representative on cross-functional teams.
• Stay current on market trends and advancements in formulation materials, ingredients, and costs.
• Maintain meticulous laboratory notebook documentation adhering to Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) or similar standards.
• Interact with customers to help resolve issues as they arise or make necessary changes to meet the customer’s needs.
• Other duties may be assigned.

Essential Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, engineering, or a related technical field
• At least 10 years of relevant formulation experience in the personal care/cosmetics industry
• Proven experience with topical formulations, R&D, innovation, and ingredient interaction chemistry
• Extensive knowledge of skincare formulation chemistry and understanding of skincare, OTC, personal care, and medical devices
• Working knowledge of FDA regulations and Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP)
• Expertise in developing stable, aesthetically pleasing, and scalable formulations
• Strong knowledge of product innovation and development processes
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks, and deliver high-quality results
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills for engaging with clients, stakeholders, and internal teams
• Strong creative, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work independently, adapt to change, and take initiative
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and willingness to learn new software applications

Preferred Skills and Qualifications:

• Advanced degrees (e.g., Master’s or Ph.D.) in a relevant scientific or technical field
• Experience with regulated products (e.g., OTC drugs, medical devices)
• Experience managing or mentoring junior scientists
• Familiarity with digital formulation tools, lab management systems, or innovation platforms
• Track record of building strong customer relationships and delivering consumer-centric solutions
• Supervisory or team leadership experience in a fast-paced R&D environment

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