Research Assistant

The Research Assistant works directly under the Chief Science Officer (CSO) and is primarily responsible for executing scientific and technical projects initiated at the CSO level. This encompasses applied chemistry research, experimental formulation work, analytical method development, and technical documentation in support of Dermorepubliq’s cosmetic and product innovation pipeline. The Research Chemist operates at the intersection of bench science and product development, generating rigorous, evidence-based outputs that inform strategic decision-making and support both internal R&D activities and external scientific collaborations.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Applied Research & Technical Project Execution

• Design and conduct scientific experiments, formulation trials, and technical studies as directed by the CSO, ensuring rigorous methodology, reproducible results, and alignment with project objectives.
• Develop and test prototype cosmetic formulations based on project briefs, ingredient intelligence, or CSO-initiated innovation targets; iterate based on evaluation data to achieve target product profiles.
• Support feasibility assessments for novel ingredients, active compounds, and emerging cosmetic technologies; perform literature reviews and competitive benchmarking to inform formulation strategy.
• Perform physico-chemical analyses on raw materials, in-process samples, and finished products (e.g., pH, viscosity, particle size, stability panels, spectroscopic analyses) in accordance with established SOPs and pharmacopoeial or industry standards.
• Develop, validate, and document analytical methods for the characterization of cosmetic ingredients and finished products; maintain instrument calibration logs and ensure laboratory equipment is in proper working condition.
• Conduct and coordinate stability testing (real-time and accelerated) and compatibility studies; compile and interpret data to support product claims, safety assessments, and regulatory submissions.

Analytical Chemistry & Laboratory Operations

Technical Documentation & Scientific Communication

Prepare accurate and comprehensive technical documents including research reports,

formulation records, test protocols, analytical data summaries, and raw material specifications for all CSO-assigned projects.

• Contribute technical content to regulatory submissions, product dossiers, and safety assessments (e.g., PIF, CPSR inputs) as required by the Regulatory Affairs team and consistent with Philippine FDA and ASEAN Cosmetic Directive requirements.
• Author or co-author internal scientific papers, poster presentations, or technical briefs for dissemination at industry conferences, academic forums, or inter-departmental knowledge-sharing sessions.
• Collaborate with R&D, Quality Assurance, Regulatory Affairs, and Marketing teams to provide technical input on product claims substantiation, ingredient selection, and formulation feasibility during the product development pipeline.
• Support the evaluation and onboarding of new raw material suppliers, active ingredient partners, and contract research organizations (CROs) by conducting technical assessments and generating comparative evaluation reports.

Cross-Functional & Innovation Support

QUALIFICATION & REQUIREMENTS

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Pharmacy, or a closely related physical or life science field is required.

Experience:

0 to 3 years of laboratory-based research or formulation experience, ideally in cosmetics, personal care, pharmaceutical, or chemical manufacturing. Fresh graduates with strong academic research backgrounds, undergraduate thesis work in formulation or analytical chemistry, and demonstrated laboratory proficiency are encouraged to apply. Experience working under a research director or principal investigator in an applied science environment is a significant advantage.

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

Technical Skills:

• Solid foundation in organic and physical chemistry; hands-on proficiency in laboratory techniques including spectroscopy (UV-Vis, FTIR), chromatography (HPLC/TLC), rheology, and standard physico-chemical testing; familiarity with cosmetic formulation principles and INCI nomenclature.
• Experience with stability study design and execution, analytical method development, and scientific data analysis using tools such as Microsoft Excel, GraphPad Prism, or equivalent; knowledge of GLP (Good Laboratory Practice) principles and laboratory safety standards.
• Highly analytical and detail-oriented with strong scientific curiosity; ability to work independently on CSO-directed research projects with minimal supervision while maintaining rigorous documentation and experimental discipline.
• Strong written and verbal communicati