Our client is a fast-growing skincare brand that's redefining what every day skincare can be. Built on the belief that effective skincare should be accessible, uncomplicated, and enjoyable, they've created a brand that combines science-backed innovation with a fresh, modern approach. With a strong focus on inclusivity, education, and empowering consumers to build confidence in their routines, they're continuing to make waves across the beauty industry.
As they expand, they're looking for a passionate, creative Scientific Lead who thrives in a collaborative environment and are excited to help shape the future of one of the sector's most exciting emerging brands.
Role Responsibilities
Scientific Research & Strategy
You'll play a key role in shaping the scientific direction of an ambitious, innovation-led skincare business, ensuring every product is backed by credible research and robust scientific evidence.
Key responsibilities include:
- Developing and leading the scientific research strategy to support both current and future product innovation.
- Partnering with senior innovation stakeholders and external scientific experts to ensure scientific integrity remains at the heart of product development.
- Identifying opportunities to collaborate with universities, clinicians, ingredient suppliers and research organisations to drive innovation.
- Building long-term partnerships that enhance scientific credibility and expand research capabilities.
- Monitoring emerging scientific developments and translating relevant discoveries into commercial opportunities.
Clinical Research & Evidence Generation
Working across multiple research programmes, you'll be responsible for ensuring product performance is supported by meaningful clinical and consumer evidence.
You'll:
- Lead the planning and oversight of clinical studies, consumer trials and scientific research projects.
- Manage relationships with external testing laboratories, research partners and scientific advisors.
- Analyse study results to ensure product claims are supported by robust scientific evidence and aligned with regulatory expectations.
- Identify opportunities for scientific publications and knowledge sharing where appropriate.
- Maintain oversight of evidence and substantiation across the product portfolio.
Scientific Leadership
As one of the organisation's scientific ambassadors, you'll help communicate the science behind the products both internally and externally.
Responsibilities include:
- Representing the business at scientific conferences, industry events and educational forums.
- Delivering engaging presentations that showcase the organisation's expertise in evidence-based skincare.
- Building relationships with respected researchers, clinicians and industry specialists.
- Supporting media activity and scientific communications where required.
Ingredient & Technical Expertise
You'll provide expert guidance on ingredient technologies and dermatological science, helping shape future product innovation.
This includes:
- Maintaining an up-to-date understanding of ingredient technologies, mechanisms of action and emerging skincare research.
- Collaborating with ingredient suppliers to evaluate new technologies and innovation opportunities.
- Providing scientific input during ingredient selection and formulation discussions.
- Identifying opportunities for collaborative research with external partners.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Success in this role comes from working closely with teams across the business to ensure science informs decision-making at every stage.
You'll:
- Partner with innovation colleagues to translate scientific research into future product opportunities.
- Support Product Development, Regulatory and Marketing teams with expert scientific guidance.
- Share scientific insights that enable informed, cross-functional decision making.
About You
We're looking for someone who combines scientific expertise with commercial awareness and a genuine passion for skincare innovation.
You'll ideally have:
- At least five years' experience within a scientific or technical role across skincare, beauty, cosmetics or the wider health and wellness sector.
- A strong academic background in cosmetic science, dermatology, formulation chemistry or a related scientific discipline.
- Experience managing or supporting clinical trials, efficacy studies or consumer research within a commercial environment.
- The ability to communicate complex scientific concepts clearly and confidently to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Experience collaborating with Product Development, Regulatory, Marketing and external scientific partners.
- Strong knowledge of ingredient technologies, formulation science and emerging dermatological trends.
- A commercially minded approach, balancing scientific integrity with business objectives.
- Established relationships with ingredient suppliers, manufacturers, research organisations or academic institutions would be advantageous.
- Flexibility to travel internationally to attend conferences, meet research partners and represent the organisation.
What You'll Bring
We're looking for someone who is naturally curious, collaborative and motivated by advancing science within an innovative business.
You'll demonstrate:
- Strategic thinking with the ability to balance long-term scientific vision with day-to-day priorities.
- Confidence building trusted relationships across multiple functions and influencing stakeholders at all levels.
- Excellent communication skills, providing clear direction, constructive feedback and encouraging collaboration.
- A proactive, solutions-focused mindset with the ability to work independently while supporting wider business objectives.
- A passion for continuous learning, innovation and raising scientific standards across the organisation.