Senior Formulation Chemist

About Debut

Debut is the unconventional innovation lab spearheading the next generation of big business. Only Debut has a scalable, integrated, climate-positive creation model powered by biotechnology that puts human wellbeing at the center of everything we do—setting the new standard for profitable business and a new pace for an ever-changing world.  Our hybrid biotechnology approaches unlock latent markets, providing access to sustainably produced, natural ingredients with health benefits that cannot be obtained through other methods. We are committed to traversing the entire process, from ingredient discovery to the scaling of these products, for consumer markets. If you are passionate, enjoy fast-paced innovation and collaborative teams, then Debut is for you.  

Senior Formulation Chemist

Summary

As a member of the Testing Platform team, you will work as Senior Formulation Chemist to support the development of skincare and color cosmetic products. This position is for an individual who enjoys working at the bench in a fast-paced environment looking to develop innovative formulas with novel raw materials. The successful candidate will have experience in color cosmetics and a working knowledge of raw materials and processing techniques for each of these categories.

Essential Functions

• Formulate and optimize skincare, suncare, and color cosmetics, ensuring all formulas meet performance expectations, safety requirements, and quality benchmarks.
• Monitor scientific literature, ingredient innovations, and market developments to support continuous product innovation.
• Manage multiple projects with defined objectives and deadlines, ensuring timely delivery for product launches.
• Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve technical challenges throughout development, including scale-up and manufacturing phases, by applying creative and practical solutions.
• Proactively communicate potential risks to leadership and recommend actionable strategies to keep projects on track.
• Collaborate closely with quality, safety, and regulatory teams to ensure full compliance and timely approvals.
• Engage with internal and external stakeholders to align product objectives and provide regular progress updates.
• Coordinate with stakeholders to manage development timelines and support a seamless transition from laboratory to production.
• Conduct stability studies, analyze results, and implement corrective actions when needed.
• Support scale-up activities from a technical perspective, anticipating issues and contributing to effective problem resolution.
• Maintain thorough documentation and adhere to established quality system to uphold operational excellence.
• Mentor junior team members, provide technical guidance, and assist in overseeing laboratory operations and workflow coordination as needed.
• Demonstrate hands-on formulation expertise with the ability to work efficiently at the bench in a fast-paced laboratory environment.

Education and Experience

• BA or BS in chemistry, chemical engineering, biochemistry, or related field
• 7+ years of previous skincare formulation experience
• Knowledge of color cosmetics and ability to color match is a must
• Experience with technology transfer from bench scale to full production
• Understanding of testing requirements necessary for product launch

Essential Physical Characteristics

The physical characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of a job, on a case-by-case basis. 

• Continuous upward and downward flexion of the neck. 
• Frequent: sitting, repetitive use of hands to operate computers, printers and copiers. 
• Frequently uses hands to feel objects or control tools (e.g. pipetting).  Laboratory operations require dexterity and care to perform studies as required.
• Occasional: walking, standing, climbing stairs, bending and twisting of neck, bending and twisting of waist, squatting, simple grasping, reaching above and below shoulder level, and occasional lifting and carrying of files or material weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Must be willing to work with biohazardous agents (up to BSL2).
• The R&D laboratory will result in exposure to hot and cold temperatures, noise, fumes, limited dust, and oily coolants.
• The performance of this position will present exposure to an industrial environment and requires support and compliance with the published Company PPE policy including but not limited to the use of personal protective equipment such as safety glasses with side shields, appropriate attire, safety shoes, hard hat, hearing protection, etc.

Condition of Employment

As part of Debut’s pre-employment process, prospective candidates will undergo a background check prior to beginning employment. Additional types of background investigations may be conducted based on the job-related activities of the position.

Debut is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.

Salary: $100,000 - $130,000