Senior Scientist II, Hair Applied Research, L'Oreal Research & Innovation

Position Title: Senior Scientist II - Application Domain Hair Care

Location: Clark, NJ 07066

Department: L’Oreal Research & Development

Are you ready to leverage the best of science and technology inspired by nature to invent the future of Beauty? Do you want to bring tailor-made, cutting-edge scientific discoveries and game-changing technologies to our consumers? Do you want to be part of a fantastic people journey?

Then L'Oréal Research & Innovation (R&I) might be precisely the place you have always been looking for!

For over a century, L’Oréal believes that beauty needs science. We are convinced that science can help us make Beauty more efficient, inclusive, and effective. Our goal is to offer each and every person around the world the best beauty products in terms of quality, efficacy, safety, authenticity, and responsibility to meet all beauty needs and desires in their infinite diversity. And because we are the leader in beauty, we are aware that everything we do can significantly impact the world. In a world where many of our reference points have changed, and the digital revolution is transforming everything in its path, more than ever, science and technology have become fertile ground for incredible opportunities. 

Never before has our R&I been better prepared to seize these opportunities: we have continually invested in our upstream research in line with our ambitious goals, we have more than 4,000 hugely talented employees with a high level of expertise, and our six regional hubs (Japan, United States, China, India, South Africa, and Brazil) are present on the key markets around the world, close to our consumers. Working in some thirty disciplines such as Chemistry (Physical, Organic, Inorganic), Biochemistry, Biology (Skin, Synthetic, Molecular), Materials Science and Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Electronics), Artificial Intelligence, Beauty Devices, to name a few, these experts are responsible for 517 patents filed in 2021. We are rooted in Diversity and Inclusion practices (for example, L’Oréal USA received the 2021 Disability Equality Index (DEI) top score for the fourth consecutive year) and strive to protect the planet’s beauty by fighting climate change and respecting biodiversity and preserving natural resources.

As a Global organization, the Hair Repair Application Domain is responsible for developing formulations, novel formats and product design prototypes that delivers superior hair care experience for consumers as well as professionals. The Domain’s mandate is to create high performing, hair care products that include, shampoos, conditioners, oils, serums and other formats of hair products that are loved by stylists and consumers & protected by strong, strategic and holistic intellectual property & meets the group vision for sustainability through our 2030 L’Oréal for the Future commitments

To discover more on our scientific and technical functions at L'Oréal Research & Innovation, please check out our website.

I.  MAJOR FUNCTION

In our newly redesigned organization, the role of Application Domain is to design and develop disruptive formulations of technologies that will address future consumer needs and transform the beauty industry in more sustainable and futuristic ways. The function is responsible for developing formulations, novel formats and product design prototypes that delivers superior hair care experience for consumers as well as professionals. In partnership with other domains such as Invention & Discovery Domains, and Product Development Domains, test concepts and prototypes. As a Global organization, the Hair Care Application Domain operates from many countries including France and L’Oréal USA is embedded in various strategic projects and leads some of them. A key measure of success for the Domain is to create high performing formulations & prototypes that are protected by strong, strategic and holistic intellectual property & meets the group vision for a sustainable future. Working closely with cross functional teams, this position requires high technical skills as well as a strong attitude for working in multi-expertise, multi-cultural teams with agility. This is a highly technical position will require continuous learning & in-depth working knowledge in Surfactants, Hair Structure & Chemistry, Material Sciences & experience with problem definition & experimental design/execution. This key technical position will allow one to express oneself with in the entrepreneurial culture of the L’Oréal group and be part of the creation of beauty of the future.

II.   PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Translate consumer needs into technical problem statements, identify knowledge driven technologies to address the beauty aspirations/needs to deliver various consumer perceivable benefits for hair care.
• Design and conduct experiments individually as well as with team, to validate hypothesis and performance targets. Communicate results with clarity & recommendations in oral & as written formats to both scientific and non-scientific audiences.
• Interact with various groups such as Domains of Invention, Discovery Domain, Product Evaluation Intelligence and Development Domain, Safety, Regulatory and Claims (SRC), to ensure new materials and composite are meeting the needs of the broader priorities.
• Maintain a healthy external focus on new technology developments and Conduct literature searches, IP landscaping as needed by oneself and through partnership with the IP and legal departments to ensure that the latest technologies are explored for relevant applications in creative ways and we create competitive advantage
• Participate, lead and or generate new knowledge through discussions on hair science knowledge, new technologies and formulations and contribute to strengthening the overall knowledge of the field.

III. JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Material Sciences/Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physical Sciences or Biological Sciences or master’s degree with 3+ years of Industry experience.
• Working knowledge of Surfactants, Hair Structure, Formulations, Material Sciences & experience with problem definition & experimental design/execution. Experience in personal care industries is a plus
• Excellent communication (verbal, written) and interpersonal skills required with high sensitivity to a very diverse global culture. Ability to work independently in a matrix environment.
• Well organized and flexible with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced highly matrixed environment while meeting established deadlines
• Demonstrated skills in analyzing, reporting and documenting information with attention to detail

  IV. DIMENSIONS

Appropriate and commensurate with the increasing safety demands of the Americas Region

  V.  DIRECTION/RESPONSIBILITY

Operates under general supervision with the ability to make decisions independently and assess when escalation is appropriate. Collaborate with international colleagues to ensure global consistency, efficiency, and harmonization and potentially lead global projects.

What's In It For You:

• Corporate Short-Term Incentives (Corporate Profit-Sharing Bonus, Individual Performance Bonuses based on level)
• Competitive Benefit 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)
• Learning & 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 do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital or veteran status, medical condition or disability, or any other legally protected status.

If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application for a recognized disability under applicable law, please email USApplicationAccommodation@support.lorealusa.com. Please note this email will only respond to specific requests for assistance completing the application as a request for accommodation for a disability. All others will not be considered.

Our Safe Together Plan: Your safety is our highest priority. We will proceed with caution and adhere to enhanced protection standards to ensure our sites are safe for all employees. We must all operate with the shared responsibility for each other’s health & safety in mind.