Position Title: Associate Principal Scientist, Cosmetics Product Safety & Toxicology, L'Oréal Research & Innovation

Location: Clark, New Jersey (Hybrid)

Department: Product Safety, SRCM (Safety, Regulatory, Claims, & Microbiology)

For more than one hundred years, L’Oréal believes that beauty needs Science. In a world now transformed by digital technology and the emergence of new scientific domains, we are confident in our ability to turn these opportunities into major innovations, closely linked to the new consumer expectations all over the world. Science & Technology are allowing us to invent safe, trustable, sustainable & responsible beauty products and experiences that will change people’s lives. 

L’Oréal Research & Innovation (R&I) has continuously invested upstream in its research with a high level of ambition. Our 4,100 L'Oréal R&I people are talented and highly skilled, located in major markets, working in a cooperative way, open to the world. L’Oréal, Research & Innovation is a vast, multidisciplinary, scientific community working in more than 30 specialized fields, spread out across the world in 21 research centers across 6 regional hubs, 14 evaluation centers, and 49 scientific and regulatory departments. Our employees represent over 60 nationalities and are united for one passion: to invent and perfect innovative, high-performance products for the well-being of all across the world.

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

The Product Safety Department is responsible for the safety evaluation, testing and documentation of raw materials and finished products developed, or acquired by L’Oréal USA, in compliance with global regulations and guidelines.  This position requires an in-depth working knowledge of toxicology and safety risk assessment principles and includes providing technical leadership to a team of highly technical individuals responsible for the review and compliance of the safety of raw materials and finished products as well as the support of claims related to product safety.

We are seeking an Associate Principal Scientist to join our Product Safety & Toxicology team in our Clark Research facility, supporting the evaluation of our Cosmetics métier. The Product Safety team is part of the Safety, Regulatory, Claims and Micro (SRCM) team that supports the work for R&I and the Americas zone.

As an Associate Principal Scientist in our Product Safety & Toxicology team, your main responsibilities are:

• Provide technical leadership and development within the Product Safety function of SRC Americas with regard to cosmetics, OTC monograph products, drugs, medical devices and chemicals throughout the product lifecycle.
• Develop a strong interface with all global stakeholders, particularly R&I and Business divisions.
• Provide technical leadership and direction to cross-functional international teams across multiple product categories.
• Provide the expertise required to defend Group's safety policy and projects before the relevant authorities and stakeholders.
• To work with senior management on safety-related issues in terms of company responses and positions on our products and safety protocols.
• Contribute to the long term mission of the group in evaluating raw materials and the clinical safety trials on the finished products as well as the review of health-related consumer events pertaining to products.
• To assist in working towards the harmonization of safety testing protocols and determinations of the necessary evaluations needed for raw materials and finished products.
• Follow toxicology-related issues to identify those that may have local and global regulatory impacts (CIR, RIFM, ANVISA, Health Canada, and other testing requirements of regulatory agencies).
• Represent L’Oréal in trade associations and other external liaison scientific task forces and monitor key safety-related issues related to company interest and make recommendations to management regarding possible courses of action.
• Lead cross-disciplinary projects initiated within the Worldwide Safety Evaluation network.
• May represent the Product Safety team as technical contact on projects requiring coordination between multiple work units.

To Succeed in this Position, You Have:

• A completed Ph.D. in Pharmacology/Toxicology or closely related field required
• 5-7 years of post-PhD experience in cosmetics/personal care/consumer healthcare industries required
• Proven track record in providing technical leadership in field of expertise
• Relevant product safety expertise in the cosmetic, OTC, consumer health care, medical device and/or pharmaceutical industries, with global vision of the profession
• Expertise with New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) and/or Computational toxicology
• Highly conversant and knowledgeable in principles of toxicological risk assessments
• DABT or ERT is a plus
• Participation in various technical & liaison organizations within the industry
• Excellent communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills
• Ability to analyze and summarize complex safety-related issues and initiatives for key business target audiences.
• Proven leadership skills with a strong results orientation, positive "hands on" attitude and a sense of urgency to get things done with demonstrated grace and even temperament under pressure.
• Full proficiency in English, additional Spanish or French language skills a plus
• The ability to be onsite, in the office 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: 

• Corporate Short-Term Incentives (Corporate Profit-Sharing Bonus, Individual Performance Bonuses based on level)
• Competitive Benefit Package (Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K, Pension Plan)
• Hybrid Work Policy (Up to 2 Days per week work from home for eligible roles, subject to manager approval)
• 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 [email protected]. 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.