Principal Scientist Jobs in New York
Principal Scientist jobs in New York sit in one of the most active research and development markets in the country, concentrated in pharmaceutical and biotech R&D, materials science, and chemical engineering across roles from senior researcher through principal-level leadership. The heaviest hiring comes out of New York City, Long Island's Biopharma Corridor, and the Albany-Capital Region, where employers such as Pfizer, IBM Research, and Bristol Myers Squibb maintain deep scientific operations. The most in-demand specialties are drug discovery, computational biology, and advanced materials characterization. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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INTRODUCTION
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.
JOB SUMMARY
We are seeking a highly collaborative Principal Scientist to serve as a liaison between our Research & Development (R&D) teams and Brand Marketing, to develop novel claims. This individual will play a critical role in translating marketing consumer concepts into actionable and scientifically supportable data, and also translating complex scientific data into compelling product stories, ensuring scientific credibility while aligning with brand strategy and consumer expectations.
The Principal Scientist, Claims & Substantiation (R&D) is responsible for the management and execution of clinical projects related to the Estee Lauder brand.
Establishes successful partnerships with the various functions in R&D, Product Development and Legal to build superior and innovative clinical strategies and drive clinical initiatives to successful outcomes.
Works with Clinical Operations partners to develop protocols, assist in the execution of studies, review data and report findings to partners.
Identifies new capabilities, methodologies, process to bring innovation and efficiencies.
Responsibilities
- Design and Execute Substantiation Strategies
- Develop scientific substantiation plans for product claims (clinical efficacy and tolerance mainly) within the skincare category on select projects/brands.
- Help translate upstream innovation and ingredients’ mechanisms of action into actionable clinical strategies.
- Analyze internal and external in vitro, ex vivo, and clinical data (inclusive of the scientific literature) to confirm the validity of product benefits and the consumer relevance of the claims.
-
Partner with Clinical Testing, Clinical translation, and Consumer Sciences teams to develop innovative protocols for claim substantiation and ensure robust data generation.
-
Scientific Interpretation & Communication
- Translate complex scientific findings into clear, compelling product stories for Marketing and Product Development.
-
Prepare claims dossiers, data summaries, and technical presentations for internal review.
-
Cross-Functional Partnership
- Collaborate closely across all R&D functions and with Product Development/Marketing, Consumer Insights and Legal teams to drive innovation and ensure claim validity and fit.
-
Serve as a scientific advisor during new product development, guiding feasible and differentiating claims early in formulation.
-
Regulatory & Compliance Oversight
- Ensure claims are aligned with the global regulatory requirements.
- Maintain awareness of emerging scientific and consumer trends influencing skincare substantiation.
QUALIFICATIONS
- PhD degree in relevant Sciences (eg Biology, Chemistry, Engineering) or PharmD (PhD + 5 years experience, BS + 10 years experience) - More experience required without PhD
- 5+ Years experience in the dermatology, skin care or personal care industry with experience in claims support, clinical testing, or research experience in relevant fields.
- Demonstrated track record in translation of technical concepts for non-technical audiences.
- Working knowledge of skincare-related clinical methodologies and protocols (ie bio-instrumentation, clinical grading, clinical imaging and image analyses).
- Proven experience in clinical method development.
- Exceptional communication skills, with ability to translate technical data into engaging stories for non-technical audiences.
- Proven ability to manage multiple projects and work effectively across functions, within R&D and with commercial partners such as Marketing or Product Development.
PAY RANGE
Anticipated Base Salary Range $110,000.00 to $125,000.00 (Depending on qualifications, skills, experience and/or budget), based on a 40 hour work week (range to be scaled accordingly). In addition, The Estée Lauder Companies offers a variety of benefits to eligible employees, including health insurance coverage (medical, dental, and vision insurance), wellness and family support programs, life and disability insurance, retirement savings plans, education-related programs, paid holidays and vacation time. In addition, the Company maintains highly competitive incentive compensation programs (role eligibility may vary based on terms of the respective plan(s)).
You may be eligible to participate in the applicable Commission/Bonus Plan, under the plan guidelines in effect at the time of hire. Additional details regarding the commission plan will be provided as part of your onboarding.
Equal Opportunity Employer
We are an equal-opportunity employer. Minorities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Accommodations for job applicants with disabilities are available on request.
Artificial Intelligence is used to compare and screen an applicant’s resume as against the posted job description.
INTRODUCTION
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.
JOB SUMMARY
We are seeking a highly collaborative Principal Scientist to serve as a liaison between our Research & Development (R&D) teams and Brand Marketing, to develop novel claims. This individual will play a critical role in translating marketing consumer concepts into actionable and scientifically supportable data, and also translating complex scientific data into compelling product stories, ensuring scientific credibility while aligning with brand strategy and consumer expectations.
The Principal Scientist, Claims & Substantiation (R&D) is responsible for the management and execution of clinical projects related to the Estee Lauder brand.
Establishes successful partnerships with the various functions in R&D, Product Development and Legal to build superior and innovative clinical strategies and drive clinical initiatives to successful outcomes.
Works with Clinical Operations partners to develop protocols, assist in the execution of studies, review data and report findings to partners.
Identifies new capabilities, methodologies, process to bring innovation and efficiencies.
Responsibilities
- Design and Execute Substantiation Strategies
- Develop scientific substantiation plans for product claims (clinical efficacy and tolerance mainly) within the skincare category on select projects/brands.
- Help translate upstream innovation and ingredients’ mechanisms of action into actionable clinical strategies.
- Analyze internal and external in vitro, ex vivo, and clinical data (inclusive of the scientific literature) to confirm the validity of product benefits and the consumer relevance of the claims.
-
Partner with Clinical Testing, Clinical translation, and Consumer Sciences teams to develop innovative protocols for claim substantiation and ensure robust data generation.
-
Scientific Interpretation & Communication
- Translate complex scientific findings into clear, compelling product stories for Marketing and Product Development.
-
Prepare claims dossiers, data summaries, and technical presentations for internal review.
-
Cross-Functional Partnership
- Collaborate closely across all R&D functions and with Product Development/Marketing, Consumer Insights and Legal teams to drive innovation and ensure claim validity and fit.
-
Serve as a scientific advisor during new product development, guiding feasible and differentiating claims early in formulation.
-
Regulatory & Compliance Oversight
- Ensure claims are aligned with the global regulatory requirements.
- Maintain awareness of emerging scientific and consumer trends influencing skincare substantiation.
QUALIFICATIONS
- PhD degree in relevant Sciences (eg Biology, Chemistry, Engineering) or PharmD (PhD + 5 years experience, BS + 10 years experience) - More experience required without PhD
- 5+ Years experience in the dermatology, skin care or personal care industry with experience in claims support, clinical testing, or research experience in relevant fields.
- Demonstrated track record in translation of technical concepts for non-technical audiences.
- Working knowledge of skincare-related clinical methodologies and protocols (ie bio-instrumentation, clinical grading, clinical imaging and image analyses).
- Proven experience in clinical method development.
- Exceptional communication skills, with ability to translate technical data into engaging stories for non-technical audiences.
- Proven ability to manage multiple projects and work effectively across functions, within R&D and with commercial partners such as Marketing or Product Development.
PAY RANGE
Anticipated Base Salary Range $110,000.00 to $125,000.00 (Depending on qualifications, skills, experience and/or budget), based on a 40 hour work week (range to be scaled accordingly). In addition, The Estée Lauder Companies offers a variety of benefits to eligible employees, including health insurance coverage (medical, dental, and vision insurance), wellness and family support programs, life and disability insurance, retirement savings plans, education-related programs, paid holidays and vacation time. In addition, the Company maintains highly competitive incentive compensation programs (role eligibility may vary based on terms of the respective plan(s)).
You may be eligible to participate in the applicable Commission/Bonus Plan, under the plan guidelines in effect at the time of hire. Additional details regarding the commission plan will be provided as part of your onboarding.
Equal Opportunity Employer
We are an equal-opportunity employer. Minorities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Accommodations for job applicants with disabilities are available on request.
Artificial Intelligence is used to compare and screen an applicant’s resume as against the posted job description.
See All 24 Principal Scientist Jobs in New York
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Find Principal Scientist JobsPrincipal Scientist Jobs by City in New York
Where New York roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Principal Scientist Job Market in New York
A snapshot from current New York openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- MongoDB5
- Amazon4
- Adobe2
- Capital One2
- PepsiCo2
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software10
- Artificial Intelligence5
- Food & Beverage3
- Banking & Financial Services2
- Fintech2
What New York Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in principal scientist jobs across New York.
- PhD in life sciences, chemistry, materials science, or a closely related field
- Minimum eight years of progressive research experience in an industry or academic setting
- Demonstrated publication record or patent portfolio in a core scientific discipline
- Expertise in a principal specialty such as drug discovery, computational biology, or materials characterization
- Experience leading cross-functional project teams and mentoring junior scientists
- Familiarity with New York-area regulatory environments including FDA submissions and GxP compliance
Principal Scientist Jobs in New York: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a principal scientist in New York?
A doctoral degree in a relevant scientific discipline is the standard foundation, followed by several years of postdoctoral or industry research experience. New York does not require a state-issued license for most principal scientist roles, but candidates in clinical or environmental fields may need registration with the New York State Department of Health or the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Building a publication record or patent portfolio and progressing through senior scientist roles at New York research institutions or industry employers is the most common path.
Which companies hire principal scientists in New York?
Employers hiring principal scientists in New York right now include MongoDB, Amazon, and Adobe, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. New York's concentration of global pharmaceutical headquarters, IBM Research facilities, and leading academic medical centers means openings appear consistently across a wide range of scientific disciplines.
Which New York cities have the most principal scientist jobs?
The cities with the most principal scientist openings in New York are New York, Valhalla, and Elma. New York City dominates due to its density of pharmaceutical, biotech, and financial-sector R&D operations, while Long Island's Biopharma Corridor anchors strong demand in drug discovery and materials science, and the Albany region draws openings tied to semiconductor and advanced manufacturing research.
Are there remote principal scientist jobs in New York?
Yes, but they're less common, since principal scientist work frequently involves laboratory equipment, proprietary instrumentation, and on-site collaboration. About 21% of principal scientist openings tied to New York are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, and those tend to concentrate in computational biology, bioinformatics, and data-heavy research areas where hands-on lab access is not required.
How can I get hired as a principal scientist in New York with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a postdoctoral fellowship at a New York research institution such as Memorial Sloan Kettering, Rockefeller University, or a SUNY campus, which directly feeds into industry scientist pipelines. From there, lateral moves from associate scientist or research scientist roles at Long Island or New York City biotech firms are the standard bridge. A strong publication record or demonstrated lab expertise in a high-demand area like computational biology or drug formulation gives candidates a clear edge over applicants with generalist backgrounds.
Where can I find and apply to principal scientist jobs in New York?
You can find and apply to principal scientist jobs in New York on Migrate Mate, which lists current New York openings updated regularly. Search the listings for roles that match your specialty and experience level, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 24 Principal Scientist Jobs in New York
Find roles in New York that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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