BW S&T Hair Appearance and Array Scientist

Hair Appearance and Array Scientist Function: R&D – Beauty and Wellbeing, S&T, Physical & Chemical Sciences Work Level: 2 A/B Reports to: Richard Barfoot Location: Port Sunlight R&D / Materials Innovation Factory (MIF), University of Liverpool Terms & Conditions: Full-time, regular hours. Candidates must have the right to work in the UK. JOB PURPOSE Unilever Beauty & Wellbeing is a €13.2 billion business driven by purpose, science, and desire. The role of the Science and Technology (S&T) pillar in Beauty & Wellbeing is to deliver desirable breakthrough technologies and differentiated innovations to meet the desires and preferences of our consumers around the world. We are developing new materials to provide functional benefits that outperform the competition, meet our sustainability targets, and build equity for our leading brands. B&W S&T Physical & Chemical Sciences, employs materials chemistry and physics to cosmetically modify, repair, or enhance the body’s substrates. There are increasingly strong requirements to clearly show how our products interact with our consumers to provide those benefits. An opportunity has arisen for a degree-qualified appearance scientist to join our team at Port Sunlight / Materials Innovation Factory. The role is to develop and apply hair appearance (image analysis methods) and colour and texture measurement techniques and methodologies to generate new insights for technologies and engage consumers in new ways. In this role, you will play a key part in shaping the hair appearance and array measurement and technology portfolio. You will propose, define, and implement the strategy for measurement methodologies and techniques that define technology performance for the hair category. Pioneering new capabilities and digital engagement tools to power up our frontline technology development in S&T for hair appearance and array characterisation. This role requires providing technical leadership for global team members in appearance measurement (for hair and skin), while also leading and driving external excellence to deliver new insights and capabilities. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES • Drive the appearance capabilities portfolio growth agenda, aligning with the S&T program needs. You will need to be comfortable understanding Unilever’s current appearance measurement and modelling capabilities, as well as the latest technologies, digital tools, modelling, and competitors’ know-how. • Take an integral role in developing a consolidated hair appearance science strategy, identifying the biggest current and future opportunities, communicating these with S&T and stakeholders, and ensuring delivery. Liaise with key partners (Science & Technology, Hair, and Consumer Technical Insights) to ensure consistency of approach. • Define and deliver critical new experimental and modelling methodologies, particularly focusing on digital opportunities to enhance our understanding of hair and array appearance. • Experience in programming, enabling both analysis and application into digital tools, and the skills to deploy these within Unilever’s growing digital capability (DataLab). This frees up capacity to focus on major growth initiatives that drive impact. • Leading both internal expertise and external partnerships to utilise greater appearance measurement excellence, to deliver against business needs. • Play a supporting role in the development of hair technology roadmaps, where innovation in hair appearance is a critical need, through knowledge, expertise, and expertise within our partner network. • Promote the internal dissemination of results and ideas through the reporting system and workshops. REQUIRED/PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE • Master’s degree required (PhD preferred) in a relevant science area (physics, computing, materials, or similar discipline) or equivalent experience. • Demonstrated high performance, with 3+ years of delivering relevant insights and experience in industry or academia. • Skilled in building scientific computing (e.g., Python or similar) solutions and applications in your field together with an affinity for other digital tools. Modelling, machine learning, and AI experience welcomed. • Experience working with image analysis/machine vision/appearance/colour and texture science areas as a capability builder preferred. • Experience using research methodologies, including literature, patents, analytical tools, modelling, and panels. • Experience managing or coaching others is desirable. • Proven ability to think through problems, provide clear logic, and influence stakeholders with actionable recommendations. • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present information in a clear and concise manner to senior management. • Networking and stakeholder management. • Attention to detail, excellent organisation and time management skills. • Ability to think flexibly to meet constantly shifting priorities and timelines, and to independently provide solutions to issues. • Ability to manage external collaborations and projects. Standards of Leadership • Passion for High Performance • Agility • Personal Mastery • Talent Catalyst ________________________________________ NOTES At Unilever, inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. We welcome applicants from all walks of life and are committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive and succeed. All applicants will receive fair and respectful consideration, and we actively support the growth and development of every employee. ARE YOU INTERESTED? Please apply via this portal as email applications will not be processed. By applying to this role, you are confirming that you have informed your Line Manager and that you are at a point in your career with Unilever where it is appropriate for you to be applying for other positions. We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to provide a positive, barrier-free recruitment journey. Should you require additional information or reasonable adjustments to allow you to present your best self during this process, please contact your Talent Partner. What we offer Whilst the role is advertised on a full-time basis, we would be happy to discuss possible flexible working options and what this may look like for you. We strive to achieve a family-friendly and inclusive workplace and, above all, to create possibilities for all. Diversity at Unilever is about inclusion, embracing differences, creating possibilities, and growing together for better business performance. We embrace diversity in our workforce. This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants and continuing development of all employees regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity. We are also more than happy to provide reasonable adjustments during our application and interview process to enable you to present your best self. To find out more, including about our Employee Resource Groups, please click here: Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (unilever.com). Relocation to the UK Please be aware that if you are applying for this role from outside the UK, and are successful, your application will be treated as a self-initiated Change Location Outside of Country (CLOC) transfer. This means any relocation costs must be self-funded, with the potential to reclaim some specific pre-approved expenses up to £5,000. Please speak to your Talent Partner if you have any questions.