Hair Development Scientist - R&I | L'Oréal Careers

Job Title: Hair Development Scientist

Department: Research & Innovation (R&I)

Reports to: Head of Hair Metier

Location: Woodmead, Johannesburg (R&I Hub)

Mission

As a Hair Development Scientist, you will be at the heart of L'Oréal’s innovation engine. Your mission is to contribute to the development of high-performance hair care, styling and manageability formulations that meet the diverse needs of our African consumers.

Key Responsibilities

1. Formulation

Assist in developing, adapting and conducting experiments and protocols in a prompt manner with a view to creating and developing new products, ensuring follow-up and monitoring use of products over time.
Create products through development stages defined with managers; draw up and/or approve operating procedures; evaluate product performance; ensure stability, conformity and safety; contribute to laboratory innovation projects

2. Project Management

Ensure successful follow-up on formula projects in line with specifications and lead times; provide feedback on the quality of the formula/product
Work with support services and/ or contacts in industry and marketing; monitor and validate product manufacturing (Demi-Grand, factories, etc.) at each stage of development

3. Scientific Monitoring, Safety & Quality

Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all formulations comply with international regulations and L’Oréal’s internal safety and quality standards.
Trend Analysis: Stay at the forefront of cosmetic science by monitoring competitor launches, scientific literature, and emerging hair care trends.
Documentation: Maintain rigorous laboratory notebooks and author technical reports to secure intellectual property and knowledge sharing.

Quality and Safety Monitoring: Ensure lab resources are in good working order; ensure compliance with safety regulations and quality procedures in force in the laboratory.

Required Qualifications & Skills

Education: Chemical Engineering or M.Sc Chemistry
Experience: 1-3 years of experience in formulation development, preferably within the hair care or personal care industry.
Technical Skills:
- Strong knowledge of surfactants, polymers, and emulsion science.
- Experience with hair fiber biology and hair-product interactions.
- Proficiency in laboratory characterization tools (e.g., rheology, microscopy, stability testing).
Soft Skills:

Entrepreneurial Mindset: A passion for innovation and the ability to think "outside the box."
Agility: Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment.
Communication: Excellent ability to present complex scientific data to non-technical stakeholders (Marketing, Operations).

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Hair Development Scientist - R&I