Research And Development Chemist

POSITION TITLE:

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CHEMIST

Female owned and operated, Developlus was founded in 1991 and has since evolved into a beauty industry leader in hair color and formula development. Three generations work to ensure that every product, manufactured on-site in its Southern California facility, meets exacting standards with an intense focus on environmental sustainability. Developlus has always valued the importance of inclusion and diversity within the workplace, empowering everyday women to be themselves while declaring their independence and individuality through hair color.

FUNCTION:

The Research and Development (R&D) Chemist at DeveloPlus is responsible for developing, improving, and formulating new hair color products, as well as other consumer products such as shampoos. This role involves leading product development projects, ensuring that all products meet required regulations and safety standards. The R&D Chemist reports directly to the R&D Director and may have a supervisory or lead role within the team, depending on the evolution of the R&D organizational structure.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Drive the innovation of new products from concept to production.
• Lead and oversee project activities, including experiment design, data analysis, and outcome interpretation.
• Obtain traceable, reproducible, and reliable results efficiently.
• Provide technical support to other members of the organization.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to scale-up formulations.
• Review regulatory documentation and raw materials.
• Execute high-level project assignments within R&D.
• Ensure compliance with relevant safety and environmental regulations while maintaining a safe and clean laboratory environment.

GUIDELINES:

The R&D Chemist at DeveloPlus works in both the laboratory and on the compounding floor. This role involves conducting experiments, developing proof of concepts, improving existing products, and evaluating products to ensure they are safe and meet U.S. Food and Drug Administration standards.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Demonstrated ability and experience in researching the composition and properties of materials used in the development of hair color and other hair care products.
• Strong documentation skills for the entire research and development process, including measurement proportions, reactions, and substance combinations to discover new information or solve problems.
• Proficiency in developing and implementing new analytical methods or techniques based on background research.
• Ability to evaluate the quality of existing methods, hypotheses, experimental procedures, interpret results, and effectively report conclusions.
• Advanced knowledge of chemistry to lead research and development projects.
• Experience mentoring junior staff by providing feedback on their work.
• Ability to collaborate with other departments to achieve the organization’s goals and objectives.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• A Master’s degree in a related field is preferred.
• 2+ years of hands-on laboratory experience.
• Experience working with hair color, including both direct and oxidative dyes, as well as emulsions.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

• Ability to communicate and present research to product development staff and executive staff
• Excellent communication proficiency with oral and written skills

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

• Strong math skills, including algebra and statistics
• Complex problem-solving skills

REASONING ABILITY:

• Technical capacity
• Complex problem-solving
• Ability to analyze data often used to conduct experiments
• Critical thinking
• Solid independent decision-making
• Ethical conduct

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The Chemist will usually work in the laboratory setting, professional office environment, and compounding floor. Must have the ability to stand for extended periods of time and list up to 20 lbs. Some filing is required. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bending or standing on a stool as necessary.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Professional office environment. Chemists work in a laboratory setting to conduct experiments using a variety of substances.