Associate Scientist

ABOUT UNILEVER

With 3.4 billion people in over 190 countries using our products every day, Unilever is a business that makes a real impact on the world. Work on brands that are loved and improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We are driven by our purpose: to make sustainable living commonplace, and it is our belief that doing business the right way drives superior performance. At the heart of what we do is our people – we believe that when our people work with purpose, we will create a better business and a better world. 

At Unilever, your career will be a unique journey, grounded in our, collaborative, and flexible working environment. Our organizational ambition centres around creating workplaces that foster equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging across all aspects of our business. We don’t believe in the ‘one size fits all’ approach and instead we will equip you with the tools you need to shape your own future.

JOB PURPOSE

Unilever is the place where you can bring your purpose to life with the work that you do – creating a better business and a better world. 

Unilever’s Science and Technology (S&T) team in the Personal Care Business Group creates future technologies to deliver unique consumer products with a wide range of superior, differentiated benefits.  Within S&T, the Physical Sciences Platform translates relevant science generated both internally and externally into a stream of innovative consumer products. The Physical Sciences team includes deep expertise in chemistry, emulsions, material science, surface & colloid science, and process engineering, coupled with an understanding of ingredient interactions and product interaction with biological substrates during use. The research deliverables from the team support the innovation pipeline over the next 5 years. They primarily take the form of next generation products scaled at least to pilot plant level, but may also include novel claims, claim support measurements, and expertise & authority. In addition, the team often partners directly with Design teams to solve critical product-based problems or to provide deeper insight into new technologies, products, or processes.

The new hire will contribute to the development of new skin cleansing products and product technologies with advanced benefits. The work will involve generating insights about the relationships between formulation, process, product microstructure, and performance, and will include working with experts in each of these areas to maximize the impact and delivery of the research outputs. The role will also require managing interactions across multiple sites and internal functions e.g., Design, Process Engineering, Biosciences, and Analytical, as well as engagement with external suppliers.

WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE

• Conduct laboratory research under the supervision of chemistry and physical science domain experts. Formulate cleansing products at small to benchtop scale for systematic research studies. Characterize formulations and samples using rheology, spectroscopy, microscopy, and other analytical techniques. Develop and execute application tests to measure attributes of product performance. Implement high throughput techniques, statistical analysis, and digital modeling into your research.
• Partner with science leaders to build a working knowledge of cleansing product formats, attributes, ingredients, microstructure, and their interactions with biological interfaces. Apply this knowledge to the design of next generation technologies and innovations for Skin Cleansing consistent with the Personal Care strategy.
• Establish work plans and execute experimental designs with supervisory guidance in area of responsibility.
• Analyze data and communicate findings in small group discussions and presentations.
• Work with line manager to ensure IP opportunities are fully explored and developed in area of responsibility.

• Create and maintain an operationally safe work environment.
• Maintain an agile mindset, where complexity, resource efficiency, risk taking, and speed are all embraced.

What You’ll Need To Succeed

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or related discipline is required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite or comparable tools is required.
• Experience with formulated products for personal care, cosmetics, or closely related fields preferred.

• Prior scientific research experience required. Research experience in the areas of colloid & surface chemistry, surfactant science, polymer chemistry, or soft matter preferred
• Experience with relevant characterization techniques preferred, eg: rheology, spectroscopy, microscopy.
• Ability to work independently and in cross-functional/cross-site project teams, actively contributing to multiple projects, and ensuring prioritization of activities to meet critical business timings

• The ability to present and communicate in a compelling and effective manner, both cross-functionally and cross-regionally, with moderate supervisory input.
• Proven track record of creative experience in data quality troubleshooting, and root cause analysis.
• Proven track record of personal achievement in iterative problem solving and overcoming obstacles.
• Willingness to take responsibility, receive feedback, and develop technical and professional skills.
• Willingness to work hands-on in a chemistry laboratory regularly and biosafety laboratory on occasion.

What We Can Offer You

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Work Level 1A:

Pay: The pay range for this position is $58,700 to $86,280. Unilever takes into consideration a wide range of factors that are utilized in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, qualifications and education, and other business and organizational needs.

Bonus: This position is bonus eligible.

Long-Term Incentive (LTI): This position is LTI eligible.

Benefits: Unilever employees are eligible to participate in our benefits plan. Should the employee choose to participate, they can choose from a range of benefits to include, but is not limited to, health insurance (including prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage), retirement savings benefits, life insurance and disability benefits, parental leave, sick leave, paid vacation and holidays, as well as access to numerous voluntary benefits. Any coverages for health insurance and retirement benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.

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Unilever is an organization committed to diversity and inclusion to drive our business results and create a better future every day for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal law and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. 

For more information about your Federal rights, please see Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination isIllegal and Pay Transparency Non discrimination Provision.

Employment is subject to verification of pre-screening tests, which may include drug screening, background check, credit check and DMV check.

If you are an individual with a disability in need of assistance at any time during our recruitment process, please contact us at NA.Accommodations@unilever.com. Please note: This email is reserved for individuals with disabilities in need of assistance and is not a means of inquiry about positions or application statuses. The Protected Veterans or Individuals with Disabilities AAP narratives are available for inspection by any employee or applicant for employment Monday through Friday during normal business hours at establishment.