Director of Research & Science
ProCaps Labs · Henderson
POSITION SUMMARY
The Director of Research & Science is the company’s senior scientific research leader responsible for directing the scientific strategy that supports existing products, new ingredients, new product concepts, and continuous improvement across the portfolio. This role evaluates product safety, efficacy, scientific evidence, formulation considerations, labeling, and claims to ensure decisions and communications are grounded in credible, current, and compliant science.
The Director leads literature reviews, evidence grading, research documentation, claim substantiation, scientific content approval, and the development of research briefs and ingredient dossiers. Working closely with Product Development, Quality, Regulatory, Procurement, Manufacturing, Marketing, E-Commerce, Learning & Development, the Customer Call Center, and executive leadership, this position translates complex scientific evidence, market trends, and regulatory requirements into clear recommendations, compliant products, and accurate consumer education.
This role owns scientific research, evidence evaluation, and claim substantiation. It advises and provides scientific guidance and insights into Product Development but does not own formulation execution, scale-up, technology transfer, or commercialization.
Requirements
JOB QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
- Master’s degree in Food Science, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Nutrition, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a closely related scientific discipline with at least 7 years of relevant industry experience; or a bachelor’s degree with at least ten years of relevant industry experience. A PhD with at least five years of nutraceutical industry experience is preferred.
- At least 5 years of leadership experience directing a research, scientific affairs, or science-based content function within the nutraceutical, dietary supplement, food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, or closely related industry.
- Demonstrated experience leading and developing scientists, analysts, technical writers, or other scientific professionals.
- Advanced skill in conducting literature reviews, critically evaluating scientific research, grading evidence, and translating findings into product-development recommendations, claim substantiation, and educational materials.
- Proficiency with scientific research databases, technical literature, clinical-study evaluation, and research-documentation systems.
- Required experience with FDA, FTC, and DSHEA requirements related to labeling, claims development, claim substantiation, and dietary supplement communications.
- Working knowledge of regulatory requirements applicable to dietary supplements, food, and cosmetics, including relevant provisions of 21 CFR Parts 101, 111, 117, 190, 700, 701, and 740.
- Ability to organize and prioritize multiple complex projects, exercise sound judgment, protect confidential information, and deliver accurate work in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.
Core Competencies :
- Strong Scientific Judgment
- Intellectual Rigor
- Regulatory & Compliance Awareness
- Critical analysis
- Strategic Product & Market Insight
- Leadership and Personnel Development
- Project Management
- Written and Verbal communication skills
- Professional Integrity and Confidentiality
OTHER ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Scientific Strategy and Leadership
- Lead the company’s research and scientific strategy for dietary supplements, ensuring research priorities, product concepts, ingredients, and scientific communications align with the Founder’s vision, business objectives, quality standards, and regulatory requirements.
- Provide scientific leadership and recommendations to executive leadership and cross-functional partners regarding ingredient selection, dosage, formulation, safety, efficacy, claims, product positioning, and portfolio opportunities.
- Lead, coach, and develop scientists, analysts, technical writers, and other assigned personnel; establish priorities, quality expectations, review standards, and accountability for the department.
- Build an effective scientific-review process that supports timely, evidence-based decisions while maintaining accuracy, consistency, and compliance.
Research, Evidence Evaluation, and Substantiation
- Critically evaluate published clinical research, systematic reviews, technical reports, regulatory publications, and related scientific literature for quality, relevance, statistical validity, dose, formulation, duration, limitations, and overall strength of evidence.
- Direct literature reviews, evidence grading, safety assessments, ingredient dossiers, research summaries, and claim-substantiation packages for new and existing products.
- Monitor scientific and trade publications for developments involving health topics, competitor products, emerging ingredients, research studies, clinical trials, formulation technologies, and market trends.
- Prepare concise research briefs, competitive assessments, scientific presentations, new-product concepts, and executive recommendations that clearly distinguish established evidence, emerging findings, limitations, and risk.
- Maintain current and audit-ready scientific files, literature libraries, evidence tables, research summaries, safety assessments, ingredient dossiers, and claim-substantiation records.
Product, Ingredient, and Commercialization Support
- Partner with Product Development and executive leadership to translate scientific findings into product concepts, formula improvements, reformulations, and portfolio recommendations.
- Support Product Development, Procurement, Quality, and Manufacturing in assessing ingredient identity, functionality, safety, clinical relevance, sensory considerations, stability, bioavailability, processing effects, and shelf-life performance.
- Provide scientific input throughout product development and commercialization to help balance scientific integrity, consumer benefit, quality, manufacturability, cost, compliance, and timing.
- Enter and maintain approved product substantiation, features and benefits, study information, and claims in applicable databases and systems, and provide related account support as needed.
Claims, Labeling, and Regulatory Support
- Direct the scientific and technical review of product labels, Supplement Facts and Nutrition Facts panels, ingredient statements, suggested-use directions, warnings, structure-function claims, health claims, cosmetic claims, and educational content.
- Lead label-copy workflow from proof development through final scientific review and approval, ensuring accuracy, consistency, substantiation, and alignment with applicable requirements.
- Oversee the scientific review workflow for promotional and educational materials, ensuring appropriate cross-functional review, documentation, and approvals are completed.
- Provide scientific input supporting compliance with dietary supplement cGMPs, food and dietary labeling, nutrition labeling, and cosmetic ingredient requirements, including responsibilities assigned under 21 CFR Part 111.
- Monitor changes in laws, regulations, FDA guidance, warning letters, enforcement actions, FTC actions, and relevant scientific standards; communicate potential impact and recommend appropriate action.
Scientific Communications and Cross-Functional Partnership
- Serve as a trusted scientific resource for Marketing, E-Commerce, Customer Accounts, the Customer Call Center, Learning & Development, and other teams by translating complex science into clear, accurate, compliant, and consumer-appropriate language.
- Develop or review product education, talking points, training materials, presentations, customer-facing content, and responses to technical or scientific inquiries.
- Collaborate with Product Development, Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Regulatory, Procurement, Manufacturing, Process Engineering, Planning, Marketing, and executive leadership to support informed decision-making and organizational priorities.
Research Technology and External Partnerships
- Use and oversee validated artificial-intelligence tools and models to support scientific research, literature reviews, and technical reports. Ensure all outputs, data, and citations are independently verified for accuracy, reliability, confidentiality, and regulatory compliance.
- Develop and maintain productive relationships with ingredient suppliers, universities, laboratories, consultants, industry experts, and other external partners to expand the company’s scientific capabilities and innovation pipeline.
- Represent the company at scientific conferences, trade shows, supplier meetings, and other external events as needed.
- Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
- Duties are performed primarily in a professional, smoke-free office and manufacturing environment.
- The work environment reflects the company’s commitment to cleanliness, organization, quality, safety, professionalism, respect, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
PHYSICAL AND TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
- Frequent sitting, standing, and walking, with the ability to safely lift and carry up to 25 pounds.
- Ability to travel as needed between the Henderson, Nevada headquarters and Broomfield, Colorado operations, as well as to supplier and manufacturing-partner locations, laboratories, universities, trade shows, conferences, and other business locations.
Benefits
ProCaps Laboratories provides:
- A competitive salary depending on experience and qualifications
- Eligible for a discretionary company-wide bonus
- Top-Tier Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage – $0 cost when you qualify for our Wellness Program
- Generous Paid Time Off – includes 8 paid company holidays
- 401(k) with Company Match – up to 4.5%
- 100% Company-Paid Life Insurance
- 100% Company-Paid Short-Term Disability Insurance
- Gym Membership Reimbursement
- Monthly Vitamin Allowance + Employee Discounts on Products
- Company-Funded Health Savings Account (HSA) – $1,600 annually
- Cash Bonuses Through Employee Referral Program
- Optional Pet Insurance Available
***Fantastic work environment that focuses on Safety, Quality, Community, and amazing people. We hire top talent and celebrate the ingenuity and tenacity of our team members and leaders!
APPLICATION DEADLINE : This position will remain open until filled. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
HOW TO APPLY : Click BELOW to apply directly through our career portal.