R&D Technician I

POSITION TITLE

R&D Technician I - Hair Color Characterization & Evaluation

Position Summary

The R&D Technician I - Hair Color Characterization & Evaluation supports the development, evaluation, and ongoing improvement of professional and retail hair color products. This hands-on laboratory role prepares standardized hair tresses and product samples, performs controlled color applications and analytical testing, documents product performance, and communicates results to Formulation Chemists and other cross-functional partners. The technician works across semi-permanent, permanent, demi-permanent, and temporary hair color, lighteners and bleach systems, developers, toners, and supporting hair care products. This role is focused on testing and characterization and does not independently formulate products.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Hair Tress Preparation and Control: Prepare, label, organize, and condition standardized natural, gray, bleached, and previously colored hair tresses according to approved test methods.
• Product Application and Processing: Weigh, mix, apply, process, rinse, shampoo, condition, dry, and style hair color, lightener, developer, and hair care samples using controlled procedures and accurate timing.
• Color Performance Evaluation: Evaluate shade accuracy, tonal direction, depth, vibrancy, gray coverage, lift, deposit, evenness, staining, transfer, color bleed, and overall appearance.
• Durability and Fade Testing: Conduct wash, fade, and environmental exposure studies and document changes in color intensity, tone, and hair condition over time.
• Instrumental Color Measurement: Operate color-measurement equipment such as a Datacolor instrument or spectrophotometer.
• Physical and Chemical Testing: Perform routine measurements including pH, viscosity, specific gravity or density, appearance, odor, and other product-specific tests according to established methods.
• Stability and Compatibility Studies: Set up, monitor, and evaluate accelerated, ambient, freeze-thaw, and package-compatibility studies; identify and report changes such as separation, viscosity drift, color shift, leakage, or package interaction.
• Data Recording and Reporting: Maintain complete, accurate, and traceable laboratory notebooks, worksheets, photographs, instrument files, sample records, and summary reports.
• Investigation Support: Recognize atypical, inconsistent, or out-of-specification results; repeat testing when directed and promptly communicate findings to the responsible scientist or manager.
• Laboratory Readiness: Maintain organized work areas, sample inventories, retains, equipment, calibration records, and laboratory supplies. Support routine cleaning and preventive maintenance.
• Safety and Compliance: Follow approved SOPs, GMP requirements, chemical hygiene practices, PPE requirements, waste-disposal procedures, and all company safety policies.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate degree in Chemistry, Biology, Cosmetic Science, Materials Science, or a related field; equivalent relevant laboratory or cosmetology experience may be considered.
• 1-3 years of laboratory, product testing, cosmetic, personal care, or consumer packaged goods experience.
• Ability to follow written procedures, perform precise measurements, and maintain accurate documentation.
• Basic understanding of laboratory safety, good documentation practices, and routine laboratory equipment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and basic data entry.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, time management, and verbal and written communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience applying or evaluating permanent, demi-permanent, semi-permanent, temporary, direct-dye, lightener, or developer systems.
• Familiarity with Datacolor/spectrophotometers, viscometer, FTIR, pH meter, Microscope, Centrifuge, Ultrasonicator, titrations.
• Experience conducting cosmetic stability studies and package-compatibility testing.

Core Competencies

• Quality-minded and consistent execution of standardized methods
• Objective visual observation and color discrimination
• Accurate weighing, timing, labeling, and sample handling
• Ability to manage multiple studies and priorities simultaneously
• Curiosity, problem recognition, and willingness to learn
• Collaborative and professional communication
• Integrity in data recording and reporting

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The employee regularly works in an R&D laboratory and may periodically enter manufacturing or compounding areas. The position requires standing for extended periods; repetitive hand and wrist motions; bending and reaching; and lifting or moving up to 20 pounds. The employee may work with dyes, oxidizers, persulfates, fragrances, surfactants, and other cosmetic raw materials and finished products while using required engineering controls and personal protective equipment. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.