Senior Chemist, Research & Processing

Job Description HiFyve is hiring a Senior Chemist, Research & Processing in the personal care and manufacturing industry!Salary: $95–120K/yrShift: Monday–FridayLocation: Eagan, MNJob Summary:HiFyve is hiring a Senior Chemist, Research & Processing to support formulation development, scale-up, and process optimization within the R&D team. This role serves as a technical bridge between formulation, process engineering, and manufacturing, ensuring successful tech transfers, resolving scale-up challenges, and driving innovation through targeted research initiatives. The position also supports cross-functional collaboration and continuous improvement across product development and production operations.Key Responsibilities:Lead technical transfer of formulations from lab to production (internal and customer-owned)Support pilot batches and scale-up trials, troubleshooting processing challengesPartner with Process Engineering, Formulation, and Manufacturing teamsResolve issues related to mixing, emulsification, stability, temperature, and raw material incorporationProvide technical support for formulation troubleshooting and optimizationAnalyze ingredient behavior during processing (heating, cooling, mixing, dispersion)Support identification of alternative raw materials for cost, performance, or sustainability improvementsConduct research on processing methods, dispersants, emulsifiers, and ingredient technologiesEvaluate raw material grades and surface treatments (including zinc oxide and titanium dioxide)Develop internal best practices and technical guidelines based on research findingsServe as a technical liaison to QA, Regulatory, Operations, and Marketing teamsCollaborate with external suppliers on new ingredient technologies and innovationsCommunicate technical findings clearly to cross-functional stakeholdersSupport additional R&D initiatives as assignedKnowledge, Skills, and Abilities:BS in Chemistry, Cosmetic Science, Chemical Engineering, or related field with 8+ years of experienceOR advanced degree with 6+ years of experience10+ years preferred experience in personal care formulation developmentStrong understanding of emulsion chemistry, pigment dispersion, and mineral activesExperience with scale-up, pilot batches, and production transferKnowledge of FDA regulations and cGMP requirementsStrong problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skillsExcellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skillsAbility to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environmentProficiency in Microsoft Office and lab processing equipmentExperience interpreting analytical and formulation dataPreferred Qualifications:Master’s degree in Chemistry, Cosmetic Science, or Chemical EngineeringExperience with SPF formulations and mineral UV filtersBackground in global cosmetics and OTC regulatory frameworksStrong experience in emulsions, dispersions, and surfactant systemsHands-on experience with pilot-scale processing and tech transfer activities