Sensory Scientist

Job Description: Sensory Scientist / Sensory & Consumer Insights Scientist

Company: MARS Cosmetics

Location: Delhi (On-site)

Function: R&D / Product Innovation

Role purpose

Own the sensory measurement system for MARS—turn “feels premium / spreads well / smells clean” into reliable language, scores, and insights that guide formulation decisions and predict consumer liking.

Key responsibilities

1. Build and run MARS’ sensory program across makeup + skincare: descriptive analysis, attribute rating, preference tests, CLT/HUT support.
2. Create and maintain a sensory lexicon and scorecards (e.g., slip, drag, cushion, tack, afterfeel, greasiness, powderiness, film, dry-down time, pay-off, blurring).
3. Recruit/train a trained internal panel; ensure calibration, repeatability, and panel performance tracking.
4. Design studies: sampling plan, blinding/randomization, test conditions, bias controls, and statistical validity.
5. Convert results into actionable formulation guidance: what to change (emollients, powders, polymers, silicones, emulsifiers) to move specific attributes.
6. Partner with R&D on benchmarking: competitive mapping, “gold standard” references, and sensory targets per category/price tier.
7. Connect sensory to instrumental data: rheology/viscosity, tribology/friction, texture analyzer spread/firmness, gloss, payoff, wear tests—build correlations where possible.
8. Work with fragrance team/suppliers to evaluate fragrance performance in base: bloom, dry-down, off-notes, stability shifts, packaging interactions.
9. Maintain SOPs, data integrity, and a searchable sensory database of prototypes and market products.
10. Present insights to leadership in a crisp way: heatmaps, perceptual maps, drivers of liking, and “next experiments” recommendations.

Success metrics (KPIs)

1. Repeatability of panel scores (low variance; high discrimination).
2. Time-to-decision reduction in development (fewer reformulation loops).
3. Correlation between sensory scores and consumer liking / repurchase intent.
4. Clear category benchmarks + sensory targets adopted by formulators.

Qualifications

1. MS/PhD in Sensory Science, Food Science, Psychology, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutics, or related.
2. 3–8 years in sensory/consumer research (beauty preferred; FMCG acceptable with strong transferable methods).
3. Strong working knowledge of sensory methods + stats (ANOVA, PCA, preference mapping; regression).
4. Comfortable in lab settings and with product handling protocols and hygiene standards.

Must-have skills

1. Sensory panel training + test design
2. Quantitative analysis + insight storytelling
3. Cross-functional collaboration with formulators
4. High sensory acuity and disciplined evaluation habits

Nice-to-have

1. Experience in color cosmetics sensory (payoff, slip, blurring, tack, transfer)
2. Exposure to tribology/rheology/texture analyzer work
3. Experience managing fragrance evaluation with suppliers

What we offer

High ownership role building MARS’ sensory capability end-to-end; direct impact on product quality and repeat purchase.