Job Description

Established in 1806 as a small soap and candle business in New York City, Colgate-Palmolive is now a truly global company with products sold in over 200 countries and territories under such internationally recognized brand names as Colgate, Palmolive, Softsoap, Irish Spring, Protex, Sorriso, Kolynos, elmex, Tom's of Maine, Sanex, Ajax, Axion, Soupline, Haci Sakir, Suavitel, PCA SKIN, EltaMD, Filorga and Hello as well as Hill's Science Diet and Hill's Prescription Diet.

Colgate-Palmolive is a leading consumer products company that serves hundreds of millions of consumers worldwide with brands and products across four core businesses – Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition. We are committed to offering products that make lives healthier and more enjoyable, and programs that enrich communities around the world.

Every day millions of people trust our products to care for themselves and the ones they love. Our goal is to use our technology to create products that will continue to improve the quality of life for our consumers wherever they live.

A career at Colgate-Palmolive is an excellent opportunity if you seek a global experience, constant challenge, and development opportunities in an environment that respects work/life effectiveness.
Information at a Glance
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Job Title:  Sr. Research Scientist/Principal Scientist - Oral Care Research & Innovation
Travel Required?:  Travel - up to 10% of time
Posting Start Date:  4/2/26
On-site

No Relocation Assistance Offered
Job Number #171262 - Piscataway, New Jersey, United States

Who We Are

Colgate-Palmolive Company is a global consumer products company operating in over 200 countries specializing in Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care, Skin Care, and Pet Nutrition. Our products are trusted in more households than any other brand in the world, making us a household name!

Join Colgate-Palmolive, a caring, innovative growth company reimagining a healthier future for people, their pets, and our planet. Guided by our core values—Caring, Inclusive, and Courageous—we foster a culture that inspires our people to achieve common goals. Together, let's build a brighter, healthier future for all.
 

Colgate-Palmolive is seeking a highly motivated and proactive Senior Research Scientist/Principal Scientist in the Research & Innovation Oral Care Group, Global R&D. A successful candidate will specialize in developing and designing innovative technologies to enhance stain removal and prevention in  teeth,  resulting in a perceivable change in color and aesthetics of tooth enamel. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of innovative solutions for teeth whitening that can satisfy consumer needs.

 

What you will do

  • Identify and lead new technology initiatives, transforming them into innovative solutions for tooth whitening to satisfy consumer needs.

  • Develop new and enhance existing oral care delivery systems that surpass current products efficacy in stain removal and teeth bleaching.

  • Design and develop new technology solutions for dietary stain management including stain prevention, stain removal, and/or stain breakdown

  • Advance foundational knowledge in the interfacial characterization of bleaching agents,  dietary stains, and their interactions with enamel.

  • Analyze experimental data to illustrate mechanisms of action and enhance product design and development processes.

  • Optimize and implement techniques to study the effectiveness of various materials in providing enhancement in teeth whitening.

  • Conduct initial formula development for new technology options to assess product viability.

  • Manage several independent research projects simultaneously and collaborate with cross-functional teams, leveraging diverse perspectives to achieve key project goals and influence beyond your network.

 

Required Qualifications

  • A minimum of a bachelor's degree in chemistry, biochemistry or a related scientific field required.

  • A minimum of 5 years of professional experience required

  • Research experience with interdisciplinary applications of chemistry including but not limited to chemistry applications in biological materials or systems, chemistry applications to microbiological systems, interfacial chemistry, bio-inspired materials (ex. ceramics), remediation chemistry, or green chemistry 

 

Preferred  Qualifications

  • Advanced degree in a scientifically relevant field.

  • Post doctoral experience in a scientifically relevant field. 

  • 5+ years of experience in consumer product ingredients/formulations/complex ingredient interactions.

  • Experience in data science or biostatistics, data engineering or database management

  • Expertise in oxidative degradation of organic molecules or polymers, redox reactions, free radical kinetics and mechanisms, or similar fields

  • Ability to interact with multifunctional technical/non-technical personnel and be an effective and engaging participant in a team environment

  • Innovator mindset with a proven track record of creative problem-solving and the ability to connect & translate scientific dots from multiple fields


Compensation and Benefits
Salary Range $109,600.00 - $155,000.00 USD

Pay is determined based on experience, qualifications, and location. Salaried employees may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, profit-sharing, and long-term incentives for Executive-level roles.

Benefits: Salaried employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, paid parental leave, disability coverage, and participation in the 401(k) retirement plan with company matching contributions subject to eligibility requirements. Additional benefits include a minimum of 15 vacation/PTO days (hourly employees receive a minimum of 120 hours) and 13 paid holidays (vacation days are prorated based on the employee's hire date within the calendar year). Paid sick leave is adjusted based on role and location in accordance with local laws. Detailed information regarding paid sick leave entitlements will be provided to employees upon hiring and may be subject to adjustments based on changes in legislation or company policies.

Our Commitment to Inclusion
Our journey begins with our people—developing strong talent with diverse backgrounds and perspectives  to best serve our consumers around the world and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels a true sense of belonging. We are dedicated to ensuring that each individual can be their authentic self, is treated with respect, and is empowered by leadership to contribute meaningfully to our business.

Equal Opportunity Employer
Colgate is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, marital status, veteran status (United States positions), or any other characteristic protected by law.

Reasonable accommodation during the application process is available for persons with disabilities. Please complete this request form should you require accommodation.

For additional Colgate terms and conditions, please click here.

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