R&D Assistant
Kayali
R&D Assistant
Kayali
Makes perfumes designed for scent layering
Kayali · Dubai, United Arab Emirates · — · Posted 2026-09-18
Workplace: on_site
Department: Product Development
Who We Are
Fueled by passion, KAYALI was founded in 2018 by beauty mogul and fragrance fanatic, Mona Kattan. Translating to ‘my imagination’ in Arabic, KAYALI provides a modern fragrance experience inspired by Mona’s rich Middle Eastern heritage and the art of layering scents to help you create your mood; where sharing scents is a ritual and smelling good is both an act of goodwill and self-love. Mona collaborates with some of the world’s most renowned perfumers and sources the finest ingredients to create unique juices that are infinitely memorable, long-lasting, and cruelty-free. Each luxurious fragrance is an ode to true craftsmanship and tells a special story, from the addictive notes to the multi-faceted jeweled bottles.
Our Mission
To make everyone feel like the diamond they are! To build a global community of fragrance lovers through the power of scent and by providing them with the most innovative & luxurious fragrances, education and sharing our Middle Eastern fragrance rituals with the world.
Summary
The R&D Assistant will support the Formulation Specialist in the development of cosmetic and fragrance products. This role involves coordinating with external laboratories, manufacturers, and raw material suppliers, while helping to maintain technical documentation, track product testing, and organize development activities. The position is well suited for someone with a scientific background who is interested in building a career in cosmetic research and development.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Product Development
· Support the Formulation Specialist during product development activities.
· Review formulation information received from external laboratories and manufacturers and prepare comparison summaries.
· Assist with competitor benchmarking and ingredient research.
· Keep formulation records and technical information organized and up to date.
Stability & Compatibility
· Coordinate stability and compatibility studies with external laboratories.
· Prepare and organize samples for testing.
· Track testing progress and follow up on pending results.
· Compile test reports and notify the Formulation Specialist of any unexpected findings.
Technical Documentation
· Maintain formulation files and product development documentation.
· Prepare and update technical documents, specifications, and formulation records.
· Organize and maintain supplier documentation, including COAs, SDSs, technical data sheets, and test reports.
· Ensure documentation is complete and filed correctly.
Supplier & Laboratory Coordination
· Communicate with suppliers, contract manufacturers, and testing laboratories regarding samples and technical documentation.
· Follow up on outstanding requests and laboratory reports.
· Coordinate the shipment and tracking of development samples.
Laboratory Support
· Carry out basic in-house evaluations when required, including:
o pH measurement
o Viscosity measurement
o Visual appearance checks
· Assist with preparing samples for internal evaluations and external testing.
Requirements & Qualifications
Education:
· Bachelor’s degree in pharmacy, Cosmetic Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or another related scientific field.
Experience
· 1–2 years of experience in cosmetics, personal care, laboratory, quality, or product development is preferred.
· Internship experience in the cosmetics industry is considered a plus.
Knowledge & Skills
· Basic understanding of cosmetic ingredients and formulation principles.
· Familiarity with the cosmetic product development process.
· Basic knowledge of stability and compatibility testing.
· Experience using laboratory equipment such as pH meters and viscometers is an advantage.
· Good organizational skills and attention to detail.
· Comfortable working with technical documents and data.
· Good communication skills and ability to work with different teams and external partners.
· Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
What We're Looking For
The ideal candidate is organized, curious, and eager to learn. They should be comfortable handling multiple tasks, following up with suppliers and laboratories, and maintaining accurate technical documentation. An interest in cosmetic formulation and product development is important, along with a proactive attitude and willingness to support the wider R&D team.
• Premium Medical/Dental/Vision coverage
• Find your Magic Days
• Volunteer Day
• Birthday Leave
• Employee discounts on all Kayali products
• Quarterly product gifting
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Kayali designs and sells perfumes for consumers who want to combine different scents into a personal fragrance. Its collection draws on Middle Eastern perfume rituals, with sweet gourmand blends alongside floral, woody and musky fragrances in bottles, travel formats and gift sets. Customers choose individual perfumes or discovery sets, which let them sample scents and try combinations before buying a full-size bottle. The business earns revenue from product sales through its own online store and beauty retailers, reaching shoppers through direct purchases and wholesale distribution to retail partners. Kayali was founded in 2018 and is headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
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