Senior Fragrance Performance & Stability Scientist

About the Role

Palomba General Trading LLC is seeking a Senior Fragrance Performance & Stability Scientist to support the technical evaluation and optimisation of fine-fragrance and Arabian-perfumery projects. This full-time position is based in Jeddah, Makkah Province, and requires 5-10 years of experience. The role focuses on understanding fragrance behaviour after formulation, identifying performance issues, and supporting solutions.

Role Objective

The primary objective of this role is to identify and address issues that can lead to commercial failure despite initial positive evaluations. These issues include rapid loss of projection, unbalanced dry-downs, changes after storage, discolouration, oxidation, heat instability, inconsistent performance on skin and fabric, and loss of volatile top notes. The scientist will work across perfumery, formulation, raw materials, analytical evaluation, and product development to support technically credible solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Evaluate fine-fragrance performance, including longevity, diffusion, and substantivity.
• Compare fragrance modifications and different concentrations.
• Develop structured performance-testing protocols for skin, blotter, and fabric.
• Conduct accelerated stability studies and assess performance at elevated temperatures.
• Monitor colour, clarity, and odour changes during storage; investigate oxidation and degradation.
• Evaluate raw-material interactions and identify components affecting projection or longevity.
• Support perfumers during formula optimisation and assist in alcohol-based and oil-based perfume development.
• Evaluate concentrated perfume oils and attars.
• Benchmark competitive Saudi, GCC, and international fragrances.
• Maintain structured stability and performance documentation.
• Support technical discussions with fragrance houses and raw-material suppliers.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum 6 years of professional fragrance, perfume, or cosmetics R&D experience.
• Direct professional experience in fragrance stability or performance testing.
• Strong knowledge of fragrance raw materials and their behaviour.
• Experience evaluating longevity, diffusion, and substantivity.
• Experience with accelerated stability studies and alcohol-based fragrance systems.
• Experience with concentrated or oil-based perfume systems is strongly preferred.
• Understanding of oxidation and fragrance degradation.
• Familiarity with IFRA requirements and strong technical documentation skills.
• Experience supporting perfumers or fragrance-development teams is preferred.
• GCC or Middle Eastern fragrance experience is strongly advantageous.

Compensation and Environment

This full-time position is based in Jeddah, Makkah Province, Saudi Arabia. The indicative fixed monthly compensation ranges from SAR 22,000 to 34,000, depending on direct fragrance-industry experience, technical capability, and seniority. The role offers exposure to fragrance-development projects involving international raw-material suppliers, natural aromatic ingredients, essential oils, fine fragrance, Arabian perfumery, and GCC-specific performance requirements.