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

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

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

Must-have skills
Sensory panel training + test design
Quantitative analysis + insight storytelling
Cross-functional collaboration with formulators
High sensory acuity and disciplined evaluation habits

Nice-to-have
Experience in color cosmetics sensory (payoff, slip, blurring, tack, transfer)
Exposure to tribology/rheology/texture analyzer work
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.