Formulation Chemist — Jr Associate

Department: Formulation · R&D · Tech Transfer
Location: Palampur/Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh (on-site)
Eligibility: B.Pharm / M.Pharm (Ayurveda) · 0–1 year experience
Employment Type: Full-time

About Nesta Botanicals

Rooted in Himachal, we turn Himalayan, estate-grown botanicals into clean, compliant products for India and global markets (US, EU, Australia). We blend Ayurveda × modern chemistry inside an AYUSH-licensed facility with documented SOPs, GMP discipline, and a learning-first culture.

Role Purpose

Start your career where formulation decisions become real batches. You’ll assist in developing, optimizing, and transferring lab formulas into pilot/plant while learning GMP documentation, stability, and cross-functional collaboration with Production and QA.

What You’ll Do

Formulation & Lab Trials

  • Prepare prototypes for creams, gels, oils, hydrosols, syndet bars & wellness lines.

  • Select/justify actives, extracts, emulsifiers, rheology modifiers, and preservatives (Ayurvedic + modern).

  • Run pH/viscosity/spreadability/appearance checks; maintain lab notebooks and CoAs.

Scale-Up & Tech Transfer

  • Convert lab formulas to pilot/plant with defined MPDs, BMRs/BPRs, and process parameters.

  • Record change controls; support right-first-time batches with Production.

  • Conduct compatibility checks with packaging; support vendor trials.

Stability & Compliance

  • Set up accelerated/real-time stability; execute pull schedules and observations.

  • Assist with micro-hygiene practices, preservative efficacy approaches (as guided by QA/QC).

  • Ensure formulations meet AYUSH/BIS/GMP requirements and internal specs.

Documentation & Data Integrity

  • Draft/revise SOPs, specs, and tech transfer packs; close deviations/CAPAs with seniors.

  • Maintain data integrity (ALCOA+) and version control across documents.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

  • Work with Stores (RM/PM) for traceability, QC/Micro for release/testing, Packaging for compatibility, and Production for scale-up execution.

Tools & Instruments You’ll Learn

Brookfield viscometer, pH meter, homogenizers, stability chambers, moisture analyzers, filling/packing interfaces, label/ink tests, basic micro-hygiene swabs (with QC).

Training & Rotation (First 6 Months)

  • Month 0–1: Lab safety, GMP, SOP mastery; bench-scale prototyping.

  • Month 2–3: Pilot trials, documentation (MPD, BMR/BPR), packaging compatibility.

  • Month 4–6: Tech transfer to plant, stability program ownership (under supervision), audit readiness basics.
    Includes weekly mentorship huddles + internal GMP/Safety certifications.

Key Outcomes (KPIs)

  • Right-First-Time (RFT) Pilot Batches: ≥90%

  • Documentation Accuracy: 100% complete/legible BMR/BPR; zero critical data integrity gaps

  • Stability Pass Rate: ≥95% lots meeting acceptance criteria at checkpoints

  • Change Control Turnaround: within agreed SLA

  • Audit Readiness: zero critical observations attributable to documentation

What Makes You a Great Fit

  • Strong basics in pharmaceutics/Ayurvedic pharmaceutics; curious and hands-on.

  • Detail-oriented, organized, comfortable on the shop floor.

  • Coachable, proactive, and safety-first.

Nice to Have (We’ll Train You)

  • Basic Excel/Google Sheets for batch math & stability logs.

  • Exposure to GMP, BIS/AYUSH reading, and preservative strategies.

  • Familiarity with emulsions, gels, and surfactant systems.

Working Hours & Environment

  • On-site, full-time; standard factory hours with occasional pilot/batch support.

  • PPE, hygiene protocols, and SOP discipline mandatory.

Growth Path

Formulation Chemist — Jr Associate → Formulation Associate → Senior Formulation Associate / Tech Transfer Lead → Assistant Manager, Formulation

Compensation & Benefits

  • Competitive fresher package (fixed + performance-linked).

  • Paid training, GMP/safety certifications, and rotation plan.

  • Local accommodation guidance; employee purchase program on select products.

How to Apply

Apply with your CV (PDF) and a short note (100–150 words) on an Ayurvedic or clean beauty product you admire (and why).
Subject: Formulation Chemist — Jr Associate (Fresher)
Email: careers@nestabotanicals.com
Or upload via the Careers page form (CV + 3 questions).