R&D Scientist

Job Title: R&D Scientist
Job Description
The R&D Scientist will perform advanced analytical testing and evaluation of flavor and fragrance ingredients, including essential oils, aromatic chemicals, raw materials, fragrance compounds, and pre-shipment samples. This role focuses on analyzing and interpreting instrumental data, supporting quality and production teams, and ensuring the integrity and consistency of ingredients used in a regulated manufacturing and laboratory environment.
Responsibilities

• Perform analytical testing of flavor and fragrance ingredients, including essential oils, aromatic chemicals, raw materials, fragrance compounds, and pre-shipment samples.
• Analyze and interpret GC, GC-MS, and FT-IR data, as well as physicochemical and organoleptic properties of essential oils and aroma chemicals.
• Evaluate essential oil composition and identify impurities, chemical markers, and potential adulteration.
• Provide technical support to Quality Control, Perfumers, and other internal departments regarding ingredient composition, extraction methods, and material identification.
• Support troubleshooting of production compounds and formulation-related issues to help resolve quality and performance concerns.
• Perform routine and preventive maintenance, calibration, troubleshooting, and performance verification of laboratory instruments, including GC and GC-MS systems.
• Contribute to analytical method development and optimization, including data interpretation and reporting of results.
• Assist in maintaining accurate records and documentation within LIMS and other relevant systems to support traceability and compliance.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams in a laboratory and manufacturing setting to support ongoing projects and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Apply knowledge of fractional and continuous distillation to support ingredient processing, quality evaluation, and R&D activities.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific field.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in the flavor, fragrance, chemical, or closely related industry.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience with fractional and continuous distillation.
• Hands-on experience with GC and GC-MS instrumentation, including operation and troubleshooting.
• Ability to analyze and interpret GC, GC-MS, and FT-IR data for essential oils and aroma chemicals.
• Strong understanding of physicochemical and organoleptic properties of essential oils and aromatic chemicals.
• Experience working in a regulated manufacturing or laboratory environment.
• Proficiency with laboratory information management systems (LIMS).
• Solid foundation in chemistry and quality control principles.
• Ability to provide clear technical support and communicate findings to cross-functional teams.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience operating and troubleshooting FT-IR and related analytical instrumentation.
• Experience with analytical method development and advanced data interpretation.
• Familiarity with enterprise resource planning systems such as NetSuite.
• Experience in both natural and synthetic ingredients used in flavor and fragrance applications.
• Comfort working on growing projects and contributing to process improvements.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to data integrity and documentation accuracy.
• Ability to work effectively in a team with diverse experience levels and collaborate across departments.

Work Environment
This role is based in a laboratory environment within a regulated manufacturing and R&D setting. You will work with a variety of analytical technologies and equipment, including GC, GC-MS, FT-IR, and supporting laboratory instrumentation, as well as LIMS and enterprise systems such as NetSuite. The team includes professionals with a wide range of tenure, from early-career scientists to individuals with decades of experience, offering a collaborative and supportive atmosphere. The organization focuses on both natural and synthetic ingredients and supports ongoing, growing projects in flavor and fragrance development. Standard laboratory safety practices and appropriate lab attire are expected, and you will work closely with Quality Control, Perfumers, and other technical teams in a professional, team-oriented environment
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Union, New Jersey.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $55.00/hr.
Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Union,New Jersey.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Sep 11, 2026.
About Actalent


Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.


The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.


If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for other accommodation options.



San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.



Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.



Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.