Senior Scientist I, Hair Fiber & Scalp Discovery Domain Advanced Research, L'Oréal Research & Innovation - Clark, New Jersey

Hello, we’re L’Oréal, we're not just building brands; we're shaping how the world experiences beauty (and it takes a lot of cool jobs to do it).

Intrigued? Keep reading, this might be the opportunity you've been searching for.

Who We Are

Join us at L’Oréal, the world's #1 beauty company present in over 150 markets. For over a century, we have been transforming; fueled by data, tech, innovation, and science. Together, we tackle big challenges while making sure we stay committed to making the world a more inclusive and a better place for everyone & our planet.

At L’Oréal Research & Innovation we are pushing the boundaries of Science & Tech. We invest heavily in cutting-edge research, leveraging advanced technologies to understand skin, hair, and microbiome, while discovering new active ingredients and launching outperforming formulas. Our 4,100 L'Oréal R&I experts leverage Science & Technology to invent safe, trustable, sustainable & responsible beauty products and experiences that will change people’s lives.

We are seeking a Senior Scientist I to join our global Hair Fiber & Scalp Discovery Domain team. This pivotal role involves identifying and developing disruptive technologies that transform the beauty industry by providing mechanistic insights and hair fiber knowledge. You will innovate new actives, materials, and formulations (e.g., anti-oxidants, bioactives, smart materials), creating high-performing prototypes protected by strong intellectual property. The position demands expertise in Material Sciences, Chemistry, and Biophysics, alongside strong problem-solving, experimental design, and early prototyping skills.

A Day in the Life:

• Innovating for Consumer Needs: You'll be translating consumer aspirations into tangible technical challenges. You identify cutting-edge material technologies and green science-driven actives to create hair solutions that deliver perceivable benefits, from styling and coloring to repair.
• Driving Scientific Discovery: You'll be designing and conducting experiments, both independently and collaboratively, to validate hypotheses and achieve ambitious performance targets. Your work directly contributes to characterizing new actives and demonstrating their relevant performance to address unmet consumer needs.
• Collaborating Across R&I: You'll engage with diverse teams throughout the L'Oréal R&I organization, ensuring that new materials and composites align with broader strategic priorities. This cross-functional interaction is key to integrating your discoveries into a wider pipeline of innovation.
• Pioneering New Technologies: You maintain a keen external focus on emerging technological developments. Through literature searches and IP landscaping (in partnership with legal and IP teams), you ensure L'Oréal stays at the forefront, exploring the latest technologies for creative applications that build a competitive advantage.
• Shaping the Future of Beauty: You actively contribute to discussions on new technologies, materials, and formulations, fueling projects that strengthen our portfolio. You also provide essential technical support for new and existing product development, ensuring our innovations move from concept to reality.
• Communicating Scientific Breakthroughs: A critical part of your role involves effectively communicating complex scientific information. You'll provide clear, actionable recommendations on new materials, actives, and formulations to both scientific and non-scientific audiences across the organization, ensuring your discoveries are understood and leveraged. 

We Are Looking For:

• Education: A Master's or PhD  in Chemistry, Material Sciences, Bio-Physics, Bio-Materials, Textiles, Chemical Engineering, Bio-Chemistry or comparable Sciences is required. 
• Experience: 1-5+ years of progressive, independent laboratory research experience is required. Industry experience and experience in hair and scalp (chemical treatments / biophysical characterization / structure-activity relationship) is highly desirable.
• Project Management & Organization: Demonstrated ability to prioritize, manage multiple projects concurrently, and effectively navigate a matrixed organization while meeting established deadlines.
• Communication & Presentation Skills: Excellent communication and presentation skills, including the ability to clearly articulate complex technical information to large groups of professionals.
• Global Collaboration & Communication: Experience working in international, multi-disciplinary environments with global teams, and excellent communication skills (oral, written, and presentation) for diverse audiences, both technical and non-technical.
• Data Analysis & Documentation: Demonstrated skills in analyzing, reporting, and meticulously documenting information with strong attention to detail.
• Teamwork & Leadership: Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a matrix environment, demonstrating strong team member and leadership capabilities.
• The ability to be onsite, in the office/lab 5 days a week as this is an essential function of the position (required)
• Authorization to work in the United States on a full-time, permanent, ongoing basis without the need for legal sponsorship now or in the future (required)

What’s In It For You

• A place for you to leave your comfort zone and grow beyond your potential (here, you’ll be encouraged to try new things and take risks!)
• Real responsibility from day 1, there’s no sitting on the sidelines at L’Oréal
• An environment where people of every ethnicity, social background, age, religion, gender and sexual orientation as well as people with disabilities are accepted, can speak up, will thrive and are celebrated!
• A place where you can contribute to something bigger! Many of our brands have societal /environmental causes to make concrete difference
• Base Salary Range: $77,400 - $110,300 (The actual compensation will depend on a variety of job-related factors which may include geographic location, work experience, education, and skill level) 
• Competitive Benefits Package (Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K, Pension Plan)
• Flexible Time Off (Paid Company Holidays, Paid Vacation, Vacation Buy Program, Volunteer Time, Summer Fridays & More!)
• Access to Company Perks (VIP Access to L’Oréal’s Internal Shop for Discounted Products, Monthly Mobile Allowance)
• Learning and Development Opportunities (Unlimited Access to E-learnings, Lunch & Learn Sessions, Mentorship Programs, & More!)
• Employee Resource Groups (Think Tanks and Innovation Squads)
• Access to Mental Health & Wellness Programs

Don’t meet every single requirement? At L'Oréal, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and innovative workplace. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with the qualifications listed in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways! You may just be the right candidate for this or other roles!

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and take pride in a diverse environment. We’re committed to guaranteeing inclusive recruitment processes and advocating for hiring and promoting each candidate in an ethical and equitable way. The Group strictly prohibits discrimination against any applicant for employment because of the individual’s gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, visible and/or invisible disabilities, socio-economic and/or multicultural origins, health conditions, age, religion, or any other characteristics protected by law.