Lead Applications Scientist

Croda is a FTSE100 organisation where we truly believe our people are our difference and this, along with our values of Innovative, Responsible and Together, create ‘our Purpose, Smart science to improve lives’. With over 5,000 employees globally, we specialise in the research and development of innovative ingredients for the Life Science and Consumer Care markets.

We are focused on developing our inclusive culture through accountability, collaboration and innovation. By joining Croda, you will be part of a team who are using smart science to create a more sustainable future.

As we deliver our ambitious 2030 Growth Strategy, we’re looking for an Applications Scientist to join our Personal Care team and support the development and characterisation of new ingredients. You will lead hands-on formulation and testing activities, generate technical insights through data analysis, and provide technical support to sales and marketing.

Who We’re Looking For

• 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 curiosity and scientific mindset to understand product performance, solve complex formulation challenges, and develop consumer-relevant solutions.
• Significant hands-on experience in skin care formulation and testing, ideally across emulsions, serums, cleansers, colour cosmetics, or treatment products, with the ability to successfully manage multiple technical projects in parallel.
• Strong practical laboratory experience, including the use of skin care testing equipment and analytical techniques such as skin measurements and imaging, rheology, particle sizing, and microscopy.
• Strong understanding of formulation and colloid science, ingredient functionality, emulsification, rheology, stability, and product performance.
• Experience designing and executing experimental programmes, analysing complex data, and drawing scientifically robust conclusions, and working independently with a high degree of self-motivation and initiative.
• Effective communicator with strong interpersonal skills to translate technical findings into clear recommendations for both technical and commercial audiences and build productive relationships across local and global teams.
• Collaborative and proactive, with the ability to work across multidisciplinary teams, continuously learn new technologies, ingredients, and testing approaches and foster effective cross-functional collaboration.
• Strong laboratory practices, documentation skills, attention to detail, and ownership of laboratory standards and routine activities.
• Commitment to safe working practices and the continuous improvement of safety standards.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead the development and optimisation of commercially viable speciality ingredients and skin care formulations, generating innovative, consumer-relevant solutions that meet performance, commercial, and regulatory requirements.
• Manage multiple technical projects aligned with business objectives, designing and executing robust formulation and testing programmes while delivering against timelines and stakeholder expectations.
• Analyse data, solve formulation and performance challenges, and develop new testing capabilities to generate meaningful insights, product validation, and claim substantiation.
• Collaborate with customers and cross-functional teams across R&D, Marketing, Regulatory, Sales, and Commercial functions to support innovation, product launches, and business growth.
• Prepares scientific reports, presentations, publications, industry events, and other activities that showcase the value of Croda technologies.
• Stay informed on emerging technologies, test methodologies, market trends, and regulatory developments to drive continuous innovation and capability development.
• Contribute to the effective operation of the laboratory, maintaining high standards of safety and scientific excellence while mentoring and supporting junior team members.
• Contribute to the effective day-to-day operation of the laboratory, sharing routine responsibilities across the team.

What We Offer

The successful candidate will receive a competitive salary and benefits package including:

• Defined benefit pension scheme
• 25 days paid holiday allowance (plus bank holidays)
• Private medical insurance
• Free lunch in on-site restaurant
• Access to share plans
• Generous parental leave
• Retail platform benefits
• Free car parking on Croda sites

Additional Information

This is a site based role.

If you require any reasonable adjustments during the hiring process or experience any issues with our online application process, please email Sign in to view email.

Why Croda?

At Croda, we believe our people are our difference. We are people-led, driven by the desire to do good and deliver value, a unifying principle shaped by all the great people that have travelled through Croda since our beginning in 1925. We pride ourselves on bringing together diverse teams and talents from across the globe and, guided by our values of Responsible, Innovative, and Together, we are passionate about building an inclusive, collaborative, and diverse organisation with innovation and customer focus underpinning all that we do.

Croda is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief.