Chanel Formulation Innovation Apprentice — Skincare & Toiletries
- Location
- Employment
- Internship
- Seniority
- Intern
- Posted
- Apr 9, 2026
About Chanel
Chanel is a globally recognised independent luxury house renowned for its fashion, haute couture, fragrances and beauty lines. The Parfums Beauté division combines heritage-led craftsmanship with scientific R&D to develop premium skincare and toiletries. As an employer, Chanel emphasises excellence, discretion and interdisciplinary collaboration between laboratory scientists, creative teams and commercial functions.
Chanel — Formulation Innovation apprentice (Skincare & Toiletries) in Pantin. Alternance start Sept 2026.
Role & Responsibilities
- Support formulation development for skincare and toiletries across research and launch pipelines, producing experimental prototypes and iterative reformulations.
- Design and execute lab experiments including emulsification, rheology and stability protocols; document methods and results in laboratory notebooks and digital systems.
- Perform stability, compatibility and preservative efficacy testing and interpret analytical data to inform formulation decisions.
- Contribute to raw-material selection and technical briefs; liaise with suppliers and internal sourcing or regulatory partners to qualify ingredients.
- Participate in scale-up and transfer activities from bench to pilot; support packaging compatibility and manufacturing readiness assessments.
- Prepare technical documentation (INCI, specifications, regulatory dossiers) and ensure compliance with ISO 22716/GMP and internal safety standards.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams (marketing, sensory, quality, packaging) to align technical solutions with consumer, regulatory and brand requirements.
Qualifications
- Currently enrolled in a French alternance-eligible programme (Licence, Master, or engineering track) in cosmetic science, chemical engineering, pharmacy, materials science or equivalent.
- Demonstrable laboratory experience through prior internships or academic projects in cosmetic formulation or related chemical R&D.
- Solid understanding of formulation principles (emulsions, surfactants, actives), stability testing and basic analytical techniques.
- Strict adherence to laboratory safety, documentation discipline and good manufacturing practices (ISO 22716/GMP).
- Organised, methodical approach with strong written and verbal communication skills for cross-disciplinary collaboration.
Skills
Experience
Student-level role: current enrolment in an alternance programme. Preferably 6–12 months cumulative experience in cosmetic formulation or chemical laboratory internships; hands-on bench skills and familiarity with analytical instrumentation are advantageous.
Education
Enrolment in a relevant higher-education programme (Bachelor/Master/engineering) in cosmetic science, chemistry, chemical engineering, pharmacy or closely related discipline; eligible for French alternance (apprentissage or contrat de professionnalisation).
Workplace
This position is based in Pantin, Île-de-France, France, within easy reach of Paris.
Culture
Chanel fosters a culture where artisanal tradition meets scientific rigour, valuing discretion, craftsmanship and creative excellence. Teams operate collaboratively across R&D, marketing and production to deliver uncompromising quality and innovate within a heritage-driven brand.
About Cerulean
Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.
Frequently Asked Questions
The luxury industry is characterised by a diverse and nuanced nomenclature. Esteemed houses frequently employ proprietary terminology, and even within a single organisation like Chanel, titles may vary across global markets to reflect local conventions. To ensure absolute clarity, Cerulean assigns a standardised, industry-coherent canonical title to every listing. However, it is worth noting that this role is functionally synonymous with «Formulation Apprentice — Skincare», «Cosmetic Formulation Intern — Toiletries», «R&D Apprentice — Beauty Product Development», «Innovation Apprentice — Cosmetic Science», and other variations. Our sophisticated search architecture anticipates these variations, ensuring that inquiries using related terms will seamlessly yield the exact roles you desire.