Associate Scientist - Fragrance
Date: Feb 9, 2026
Location: Farmingdale, NY, US
Company: ELC Beauty LLC
The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. is one of the world’s leading manufacturers, marketers, and sellers of quality skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products, and is a steward of luxury and prestige brands globally. The company’s products are sold in approximately 150 countries and territories under brand names including: Estée Lauder, Aramis, Clinique, Lab Series, Origins, M·A·C, La Mer, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, Aveda, Jo Malone London, Bumble and bumble, Darphin Paris, TOM FORD, Smashbox, AERIN Beauty, Le Labo, Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle, GLAMGLOW, KILIAN PARIS, Too Faced, Dr.Jart+, the DECIEM family of brands, including The Ordinary and NIOD, and BALMAIN Beauty.
Description
Position Overview:
We are seeking a highly motivated Associate Scientist to join our global fragrance development team. This individual will support the creation of innovative fragrance textures and formulations that deliver superior sensory, olfactive, and performance benefits. The role involves translating breakthrough textures from concept to commercialization, utilizing measurement science to support claims, and helping build a deeper understanding of formulation performance. The ideal candidate has a background in chemistry, materials science, or chemical engineering, with a passion for innovation, problem-solving, and technical excellence. Help shape the future of fragrance by translating innovative textures into market-leading products that deliver exceptional consumer benefits.
Key Responsibilities:
- Drive execution of new product development, from ideation through prototype, scale-up, and commercial launch, with minimal supervision.
- Develop innovative, high-performance fragrance textures that offer unique sensory and olfactive benefits aligned with consumer insights.
- Utilize measurement science and analytical tools (e.g., GC/MS, rheometers, microscopy) to understand product and ingredient properties, troubleshoot issues, and support formulation claims.
- Ensure formulations are stable, feasible for production, and meet project timelines and milestones.
- Collaborate with R&D, Product Development, Packaging, Legal, and other support functions to meet development and intellectual property objectives.
- Participate in brainstorming sessions, providing creative ideas and new approaches to formulation challenges.
- Stay current on fragrance industry trends and technological advances to continuously improve product innovation.
- Contribute to building the technical understanding of formulations and documenting findings to support claims and optimize consumer benefits.
- Help develop IP strategies in partnership with legal to sustain competitive advantage.
- Support projects under tight deadlines, balancing multiple complex initiatives.
Qualifications
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or related field; 0-2 years of relevant experience.
- Formulation and/or fragrance background preferred.
- Strong organizational, communication, and proactive follow-through skills, with attention to detail.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with good presentation ability.
- Creative thinker with a passion for innovation and problem-solving.
- Experience with analytical instrumentation (e.g., GC/MS, rheometers, microscopy) a plus.
- Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Curious, collaborative, and driven to continuously improve performance and develop new technologies.
Pay Range:
The anticipated base salary range for this position is $70,000.00 to $80,000.00. Exact salary depends on several factors such as experience, skills, education, and budget. Salary range may vary based on geographic location. In addition to base salary, this position is eligible for participation in a highly competitive bonus program with the possibility for overachievement based on performance and company results.
In addition, The Estée Lauder Companies offers a variety of benefits to eligible employees, including health insurance coverage, wellness and family support programs, life and disability insurance, retirement savings plans, paid leave programs, education-related programs, paid holidays and vacation time, and many others. Many of these benefits are subsidized or fully paid for by the company
Equal Opportunity Employer
It is Company's policy not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition as defined by applicable state or local law, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. The Company will endeavor to provide a reasonable accommodation consistent with the law to otherwise qualified employees and prospective employees with a disability and to employees and prospective employees with needs related to their religious observance or practices. Should you wish to apply for this position or any other position with the Company and you believe you require assistance to complete an application or participate in an interview, please contact USApplicantAccommodations@Estee.com.
Michigan Applicants: Persons with disabilities needing accommodations for employment must notify the company in writing of the need for an accommodation within 182 days after the date the person with a disability knew or reasonably should have known that an accommodation was needed.
Philadelphia Applicants: Philadelphia's Fair Chance Hiring Law
Rhode Island Applicants: The company is subject to chapters 29-38 of title 28 of the general laws of Rhode Island and is therefore covered by the state's workers' compensation law.
Nearest Major Market: Long Island
Nearest Secondary Market: New York CIty