Lead Applications Scientist

Overview

Lead the development and optimisation of innovative skin care ingredients and formulations within Croda’s Personal Care team. You will run hands-on formulation and testing, generate technical insights from data, and support sales and marketing with robust technical guidance. This role sits at the intersection of R&D, regulatory and commercial functions to drive product validation and customer value. You will mentor junior colleagues, uphold lab safety, and contribute to Croda’s sustainable growth through smart science.

Pay / Benefits

• Defined benefit pension scheme
• 25 days holiday allowance plus bank holidays
• Private medical insurance
• On-site restaurant lunch
• Share plans
• Generous parental leave

Responsibilities

• Lead development and optimisation of speciality ingredients and skin care formulations to meet performance, commercial, and regulatory requirements
• Manage multiple technical projects aligned with business objectives and timelines
• Analyze data and address formulation and performance challenges; develop new testing capabilities
• Collaborate with customers and cross-functional teams (R&D, Marketing, Regulatory, Sales, Commercial) to support innovation and launches
• Prepare scientific reports, presentations, and industry-facing outputs to showcase Croda technologies
• Stay updated on emerging technologies, test methods, market trends, and regulatory developments
• Mentor junior team members and maintain high safety and lab standards
• Contribute to day-to-day lab operations and share routine responsibilities across the team

Key requirements

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Cosmetic Science, Materials Science, or a related field
• Passion for skin care science with the ability to solve complex formulation challenges
• Significant hands-on skin care formulation and testing experience across emulsions, serums, cleansers, color cosmetics, or treatment products
• Strong practical laboratory experience with skin testing equipment and techniques (skin measurements, imaging, rheology, particle sizing, microscopy)
• Solid understanding of formulation and colloid science, emulsification, rheology, stability, and product performance
• Experience designing and executing experimental programmes, analyzing complex data, and drawing robust conclusions; ability to work independently
• Effective communicator with ability to translate findings for technical and commercial audiences and build cross-functional relationships
• Collaborative and proactive mindset with willingness to learn new technologies and testing approaches
• Strong laboratory practices, documentation, and attention to detail; ownership of laboratory standards and safety

• effective communication
• collaboration
• initiative and self-motivation
• skin care testing equipment
• rheology
• particle sizing

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