Formulation Chemist

Job Description: Formulation Chemist

Full-time, on-site laboratory role | Berkeley, California

Role Overview

Rodan + Fields is seeking a Formulation Chemist to join the Research & Development team in Berkeley, California. This full-time, on-site laboratory role supports OTC and cosmetic skincare formulation through hands-on bench work, prototype development, stability testing, troubleshooting, and accurate documentation.

The ideal candidate has strong technical curiosity, practical cosmetic formulation experience, and the ability to translate product objectives into high-quality laboratory prototypes. This role requires a detail-oriented, collaborative professional who can manage multiple priorities and communicate technical information clearly.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and customize OTC and cosmetic skincare formulations, including lab batches, prototypes, and trial compositions aligned with project goals.
• Design, execute, monitor, and summarize formulation experiments, stability studies, and product evaluations according to established procedures and timelines.
• Maintain complete and accurate laboratory notebooks, formulation records, stability data, observations, specifications, and project documentation.
• Enter and maintain formulations in designated formulation software.
• Troubleshoot formulation, processing, stability, and performance issues using sound scientific judgment.
• Evaluate raw materials, competitive products, Rodan + Fields products, and trial compositions against established criteria.
• Stay current on cosmetic ingredients, formulation technologies, processing methods, industry trends, and relevant regulatory considerations.
• Order raw materials, obtain supplier information, enter and track life cycle of materials in the chemical inventory system.
• Assist with scale-up batches to support clinical supplies and package stability testing.
• Maintain laboratory equipment, raw material inventory, consumables, work areas, and glassware in accordance with SOPs and safety expectations.
• Prepare and store samples for internal evaluation and external testing; document results and communicate findings clearly and promptly.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related scientific discipline with a minimum of 5 years related experience. A master's degree with 3 years related experience, or equivalent work experience.
• Working knowledge of cosmetic formulation principles, skin biology, raw material functionality, emulsion technology, and product development practices.
• Strong laboratory technique, documentation discipline, organization, and attention to detail, with the ability to support multiple formulation projects.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and sound judgment in resolving technical or operational issues.
• Strong interpersonal, teamwork, project coordination, and written and verbal communication skills.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently while contributing effectively to a collaborative team environment.

Work Environment

This full-time, on-site laboratory role is based in Berkeley, California and requires hands-on formulation work, safe laboratory practices, accurate documentation, and collaboration with R&D and cross-functional partners.

Salary Range

$84,000 - $105,000

The pay range represents the low and high end of the salary range we reasonably expect to pay for this position at the time of posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range, and the range may be modified in the future.An employee’s pay position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, to geographic location, experience, education, skills, qualifications, performance, and business or organizational needs. The range listed is just one component of Rodan + Fields’ total compensation package for employees.