Research & Application Specialist - Hygiene

Arxada is a global leader in innovative solutions that protect our world through groundbreaking technologies, regulatory expertise, and manufacturing excellence. Our chemistry and biotechnology solutions enhance sustainability across multiple end-markets, including Human Health & Nutrition, Home & Personal Care, Professional Hygiene, Paints & Coatings, and Wood Protection. With customers in over 100 countries, Arxada achieved sales of CHF 2 billion in 2024 and employs 3,200 associates across 24 production sites and 14 R&D centers.

About the role

The Research & Application Specialist – Hygiene will drive research excellence at Arxada, focusing on professional and consumer hygiene formulation technologies. This role delivers innovative solutions through new inventions, advanced formulation insights, and novel product formats that enhance disinfection efficacy, cleaning performance, and aesthetic attributes. As a key member of cross-functional teams, including Marketing, Sales, R&D, and Regulatory Affairs, you will lead technical programs supporting growth strategy initiatives while providing scientific expertise and market-driven innovation. The position plays a critical role in advancing industry knowledge and developing solutions aligned with customer and market needs, with a primary focus on the Professional & Consumer Hygiene segment.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical direction and insights into customer innovation needs, demonstrating how Arxada technologies address those needs through deep application expertise and customer-focused support.
• Initiate and lead innovation pipeline programs, partnering with Marketing, Regulatory, Process, and R&D teams to ensure projects progress successfully through stage-gate milestones and are delivered on time and in full.
• Independently design, plan, and execute experiments to develop new ideas, concepts, formulations, and applications that lead to innovative products and technologies.
• Develop expertise in disinfectant formulations, including quaternary ammonium compounds, hydrogen peroxide, and peracid-based systems.
• Lead formulation development activities and generate robust technical data supporting new products and technologies.
• Create and deliver technical reports, customer presentations, seminars, webinars, academies, product data sheets, and sales support tools in partnership with Global R&D and Marketing teams.
• Collaborate within a matrix organization across Marketing, R&D, Regulatory Affairs, and cross-functional project teams globally.
• Provide timely and effective technical support to internal and external customers, often serving as a key interface to strategic customers.
• Develop a strong understanding of competitor and customer products to support the creation of compelling value propositions and product positioning strategies.
• Design and oversee application testing programs to support product development and commercialization activities.
• Prepare detailed technical assessments, reports, invention disclosures, and supporting documentation for key technology developments and discoveries.
• Ensure intellectual property opportunities are identified, documented, and filed appropriately.
• Perform additional duties and responsibilities as required.

Requirements

• M.Sc. or Ph.D. in Chemistry.
• 8+ years of industrial R&D experience in antimicrobial technologies and disinfectant formulation development.
• Strong expertise in formulation science, particularly oxidizer-based disinfectant systems and surfactant technologies.
• Demonstrated experience developing liquid disinfectants, wipes, and dilutable concentrate formulations.
• Excellent understanding of disinfection and sanitization regulatory frameworks, including EPA and BPR requirements.
• Experience working within regulated industries.
• Ability to independently design experiments, generate innovative concepts, and translate scientific findings into commercial opportunities.
• Proven capability to act as technical lead for new product development programs in the disinfection and hygiene sector.
• Strong project leadership, stakeholder management, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment and make sound decisions under pressure.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to engage both technical and commercial audiences.

Pay

The expected salary range for this role is $100,000 - $125,000, with specific compensation varying based on factors such as experience, education, training, licensure, certification, location, and other job-related factors.

Benefits

• 401(k) plan
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
• Paid time off
• Paid holidays
• Paid sick leave
• Short-term incentive bonus eligibility