Colgate
Research Scientist- Oral Care Product Development
Colgate, Piscataway, New Jersey, United States
Company Overview
Established in 1806 as a small soap and candle business in New York City,
Colgate-Palmolive
is now a truly global company with products sold in over 200 countries and territories under internationally recognized brand names. Our brands span Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care, Skin Care, and Pet Nutrition. We are committed to offering products that make lives healthier and more enjoyable, and programs that enrich communities worldwide.
Everyday millions trust our products. Our goal is to use technology to create products that continue to improve the quality of life for our consumers wherever they live.
A career at Colgate-Palmolive offers a global experience, constant challenge, and development opportunities in an environment that respects work/life effectiveness.
Position: Research Scientist – Oral Care Product Development Job Number: 170414 • Location: Piscataway, New Jersey • Posted: 11/21/25 • Travel Required: No • On-site • Relocation Assistance: None
We are seeking a Research Scientist focused on Global Product Development of innovative oral care products. The scientist will lead technical development of new user experiences, create experimental demonstrations to showcase product mode of action, and support commercialization of advanced formulas from lab to technical readiness.
Responsibilities
Lead the development and validation of oral care products such as toothpaste, mouth rinses, and novel formats for global markets focused on freshness offerings and adjacencies.
Apply a technical understanding of related chemistry and science (active deliveries, emulsions, surfactants, rheology, liquid chemistry) to new product innovation.
Lead experimental designs to identify launch formulations and production processes.
Make lab and pilot batches of formulations for stability testing and other validations, such as consumer tests, clinicals, and customer samplings.
Provide day‑to‑day recommendations and escalation of issues regarding formula development.
Stay abreast of supplier and competitor developments.
Manage multiple stability studies at the lab, pilot, and plant scale, collaborating with analytic, flavor, micro groups to deliver samples and follow up on results.
Support pilot plant batches by preparing batch sheets, requesting raw materials, pre‑weighing materials, and executing batches.
Create and maintain R&D documentation to ensure high‑quality commercialization.
Maintain documentation under GMP/GLP per FDA/ICH guidelines as required.
Maintain project timelines, formula databases, tech transfer checklists, proofs of claims, registration documents, and technical justifications.
Serve as the R&D point of contact for commercial teams on freshness‑related projects.
Manage independent projects and collaborate with cross‑functional teams.
Deliver effective presentations of technical data and project status, including experimental demonstrations of product mode of action.
Abide by company SOPs for product development, regulatory, and safety.
Self‑motivation and the ability to work well within a team while managing multiple tasks with changing priorities.
Qualifications
Minimum bachelor’s or MS degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Food Science or related fields.
3+ years of experience developing and/or implementing consumer products.
Technical understanding of related chemistry and science (active deliveries, emulsions, surfactants, rheology, liquid chemistry).
Strong knowledge of ingredient chemistry and interdependencies of raw material components.
Ability to multi‑task and coordinate simultaneous projects.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Self‑motivated yet able to work well within a team environment.
Knowledge of cGMP/GMP and GLP.
Excellent computer skills (MS Office, Google Suite, SAP, etc.).
Preferred Qualifications
Knowledge of equipment and procedures for making oral care formulations.
Experience running stability studies for OTC/Drug products.
Strong project planning and management experience.
Knowledge of regulatory environment across the globe.
Knowledge of ICH/FDA guidelines for stability and testing of new drug products.
Compensation and Benefits Salary range: $83,000 – $117,000 USD (subject to experience, qualifications, and location). Eligible for discretionary bonuses, profit‑sharing, and long‑term incentives for Executive‑level roles.
Benefits include medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, paid parental leave, disability coverage, and participation in the 401(k) retirement plan with company matching. Additional benefits: minimum 15 vacation/PTO days (hourly employees 120 hours), 13 paid holidays, and paid sick leave per local laws.
Our Commitment to Inclusion We develop talent with diverse backgrounds and foster an inclusive environment where everyone feels belonging. We are dedicated to ensuring each individual can be their authentic self, is treated with respect, and is empowered to contribute meaningfully.
Equal Opportunity Employer Colgate is an equal‑opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, marital status, veteran status or any other protected characteristic.
Reasonable accommodation during the application process is available. Please submit a request for accommodation if needed.
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Colgate-Palmolive
is now a truly global company with products sold in over 200 countries and territories under internationally recognized brand names. Our brands span Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care, Skin Care, and Pet Nutrition. We are committed to offering products that make lives healthier and more enjoyable, and programs that enrich communities worldwide.
Everyday millions trust our products. Our goal is to use technology to create products that continue to improve the quality of life for our consumers wherever they live.
A career at Colgate-Palmolive offers a global experience, constant challenge, and development opportunities in an environment that respects work/life effectiveness.
Position: Research Scientist – Oral Care Product Development Job Number: 170414 • Location: Piscataway, New Jersey • Posted: 11/21/25 • Travel Required: No • On-site • Relocation Assistance: None
We are seeking a Research Scientist focused on Global Product Development of innovative oral care products. The scientist will lead technical development of new user experiences, create experimental demonstrations to showcase product mode of action, and support commercialization of advanced formulas from lab to technical readiness.
Responsibilities
Lead the development and validation of oral care products such as toothpaste, mouth rinses, and novel formats for global markets focused on freshness offerings and adjacencies.
Apply a technical understanding of related chemistry and science (active deliveries, emulsions, surfactants, rheology, liquid chemistry) to new product innovation.
Lead experimental designs to identify launch formulations and production processes.
Make lab and pilot batches of formulations for stability testing and other validations, such as consumer tests, clinicals, and customer samplings.
Provide day‑to‑day recommendations and escalation of issues regarding formula development.
Stay abreast of supplier and competitor developments.
Manage multiple stability studies at the lab, pilot, and plant scale, collaborating with analytic, flavor, micro groups to deliver samples and follow up on results.
Support pilot plant batches by preparing batch sheets, requesting raw materials, pre‑weighing materials, and executing batches.
Create and maintain R&D documentation to ensure high‑quality commercialization.
Maintain documentation under GMP/GLP per FDA/ICH guidelines as required.
Maintain project timelines, formula databases, tech transfer checklists, proofs of claims, registration documents, and technical justifications.
Serve as the R&D point of contact for commercial teams on freshness‑related projects.
Manage independent projects and collaborate with cross‑functional teams.
Deliver effective presentations of technical data and project status, including experimental demonstrations of product mode of action.
Abide by company SOPs for product development, regulatory, and safety.
Self‑motivation and the ability to work well within a team while managing multiple tasks with changing priorities.
Qualifications
Minimum bachelor’s or MS degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Food Science or related fields.
3+ years of experience developing and/or implementing consumer products.
Technical understanding of related chemistry and science (active deliveries, emulsions, surfactants, rheology, liquid chemistry).
Strong knowledge of ingredient chemistry and interdependencies of raw material components.
Ability to multi‑task and coordinate simultaneous projects.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Self‑motivated yet able to work well within a team environment.
Knowledge of cGMP/GMP and GLP.
Excellent computer skills (MS Office, Google Suite, SAP, etc.).
Preferred Qualifications
Knowledge of equipment and procedures for making oral care formulations.
Experience running stability studies for OTC/Drug products.
Strong project planning and management experience.
Knowledge of regulatory environment across the globe.
Knowledge of ICH/FDA guidelines for stability and testing of new drug products.
Compensation and Benefits Salary range: $83,000 – $117,000 USD (subject to experience, qualifications, and location). Eligible for discretionary bonuses, profit‑sharing, and long‑term incentives for Executive‑level roles.
Benefits include medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, paid parental leave, disability coverage, and participation in the 401(k) retirement plan with company matching. Additional benefits: minimum 15 vacation/PTO days (hourly employees 120 hours), 13 paid holidays, and paid sick leave per local laws.
Our Commitment to Inclusion We develop talent with diverse backgrounds and foster an inclusive environment where everyone feels belonging. We are dedicated to ensuring each individual can be their authentic self, is treated with respect, and is empowered to contribute meaningfully.
Equal Opportunity Employer Colgate is an equal‑opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, marital status, veteran status or any other protected characteristic.
Reasonable accommodation during the application process is available. Please submit a request for accommodation if needed.
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