Senior Scientist

Role details

Senior Scientist – Color Cosmetics & Scale-Up

Location

Dallas-Fort Worth, TX metroplex

Schedule

Monday–Friday | 8:00 AM–5:00 PM

Employment Type

Direct Hire

Salary

$115,000–$135,000/year

Benefits

Full Benefits Package + Relocation Assistance

Kelly Science & Clinical

is seeking an experienced

Senior Scientist – Color Cosmetics & Scale-Up

for a direct-hire opportunity with an innovative Research, Innovation & Development organization in Dallas-Fort Worth, TX metroplex.

MUST HAVE: Hands-on sunscreen formulation experience

The Senior Scientist will lead the formulation development, optimization, scale-up, and commercialization of sunscreen, color cosmetic, and topical products. This role is ideal for a senior formulation scientist with expertise in sunscreen, color cosmetics, pigment technology, emulsions, and commercial scale-up .

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize

sunscreens, foundations, skin tints, BB/CC creams, concealers, primers, tinted moisturizers, serums, lotions, and hybrid skincare/makeup products .

• Lead formulation strategies focused on

SPF performance, shade accuracy, coverage, aesthetics, texture, stability, and consumer experience .

• Apply expertise in

UV filters, pigment technology, color science, shade matching, pigment dispersion, optical modifiers, emulsions, rheology, and preservation systems .

• Lead bench formulation, raw material evaluation, feasibility studies, and experimental programs.
• Lead

pilot plant and commercial manufacturing trials

, including process optimization, scale-up, technology transfer, and manufacturing support.

• Troubleshoot formulation and manufacturing challenges related to

stability, viscosity, pigment dispersion, aeration, filling, preservation, and scale-up .

• Develop product specifications and technical documentation in accordance with

GLP, GMP, and company standards

.

• Collaborate with

Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory, Procurement, Supply Chain, and external partners throughout product development and commercialization.

• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior scientists and participate in customer-facing technical discussions.
• Stay current with emerging technologies, ingredients, competitive products, manufacturing processes, and regulatory developments within sunscreen, color cosmetics, and skincare.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in

Chemistry, Engineering, or related scientific/technical field .

• 10+ years of formulation experience

in personal care, cosmetics, skincare, pharmaceutical, or related industries.

• MUST have hands-on experience developing and formulating sunscreen products.
• Demonstrated experience developing and commercializing

color cosmetic and/or topical formulations

.

• Strong knowledge of

sunscreen formulation, UV filters, pigment technology, color science, shade matching, emulsions, rheology, preservation, stability, and formulation troubleshooting .

• Proven experience taking formulations from

bench development through pilot plant and commercial manufacturing .

• Working knowledge of

FDA regulations and cGMP requirements

.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and project management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and collaborate effectively across technical and business functions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in a relevant scientific or technical field.
• Experience with

OTC products and/or medical devices

.

• Experience mentoring or managing junior scientists.
• Customer-facing and/or supervisory experience in an R&D environment.
• Familiarity with digital formulation or laboratory management systems.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Direct-hire

position with $115K–$135K salary.

• Full benefits package and relocation assistance.
• Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM schedule.
• Technical leadership role with significant involvement in

formulation, innovation, scale-up, and commercial manufacturing .

• Opportunity to work across R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory, Supply Chain, and external customer teams.

If you are an experienced formulation scientist with hands-on sunscreen experience and a strong background in color cosmetics and commercial scale-up, we'd love to connect with you about this opportunity.