R&D Senior Chemist (Protective Coatings)

Jotun Middle East, India and Africa (MEIA); Dubai; On-site; AED 300,000 - 480,000; Full time

Job summary

Jotun MEIA FZ-LLC in Dubai is seeking an R&D Senior Chemist to develop and maintain coatings, binders, and raw materials. You will lead end-to-end projects, plan formulation, test, validate, and document results.

You will mentor junior staff, ensure HSEQ compliance and contribute to sustainability-focused global/regional innovation initiatives. This role offers career growth across geographies and a collaborative culture.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree with minimum 10 years relevant experience, or Bachelor’s degree with at least 12 years, or PhD with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience.
• Strong coatings formulation knowledge in protective coatings, including binder systems and curing chemistries.
• Experience with performance validation (weathering, corrosion, accelerated testing) and knowledge of test methods/standards.
• Demonstrated ability to manage tasks and projects independently with strong structure and follow-up.
• Proficiency in verbal and written English.

Responsibilities

• Own and drive assigned products, assets, projects, tasks, and global transfers end-to-end, including planning, formulation, testing, validation, and documentation.
• Independently execute projects and coordinate larger tasks to meet timelines and quality targets, providing technical recommendations based on data.
• Support compliance with internationally accepted performance and certification requirements through robust test planning, execution, and interpretation.
• Contribute to defining and initiating new global/regional innovation projects, focusing on sustainability-driven developments.
• Coach junior chemists and technicians; ensure knowledge transfer and competence building.
• Ensure strict adherence to HSEQ requirements and governance, including raw materials, formulations, and test result documentation.

Skills

Coatings formulation

Weathering testing

Data-driven development

English proficiency

Education

Master’s degree + 10+ years

Bachelor’s degree + 12+ years

PhD + 5+ years

Job description

SUMMARY OF THE ROLE

As an R&D Senior Chemist, you will be responsible for developing and maintaining products by preparing, testing, and evaluating coatings, binders, and raw materials. You will also play an active role in supporting the R&D strategy and strengthening technical competence across the organization through robust, data-driven development work and knowledge transfer.

Responsibilities:

• Own and drive assigned products, assets, projects, tasks, and global transfers end-to-end, including planning, formulation, testing, validation, and documentation.
• Independently execute projects and coordinate larger tasks to meet timelines and quality targets, providing technical recommendations based on data.
• Support compliance with internationally accepted performance and certification requirements through robust test planning, execution, and interpretation.
• Contribute to defining and initiating new global/regional innovation projects, with a strong focus on sustainability-driven developments.
• Coach junior chemists and technicians; ensure knowledge transfer and competence building.
• Ensure strict adherence to HSEQ requirements and governance, including raw materials, formulations, and test result documentation.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR AND WHAT WE OFFER

What we look for

• Master’s degree with a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience, OR Bachelor’s degree with at least 12 years of relevant experience, OR PhD with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience.
• Strong coatings formulation knowledge in protective coatings, including binder systems and curing chemistries.
• Experience with performance validation (e.g., weathering, corrosion, and accelerated testing) and strong knowledge of internationally accepted test methods and standards.
• Demonstrated ability to manage tasks and projects independently and deliver with strong structure and follow-up.
• Must be proficient in verbal and written English.

What we offer

• Competitive compensation and benefits.
• Continuous learning opportunities and training activities through on-the-job training and our in-house learning.
• Career development opportunities across multiple disciplines and geographies.
• Leaders who focus on engaging and enabling their team, proven by consistently high employee feedback scores.
• A supportive and inclusive company culture where you can be your authentic self.
• A focus on having fun together through team building and social activities.

POSITION INFORMATION

Company:

Jotun MEIA FZ-LLC

Contract Type:

Regular

Time Type:

Full time

CLOSING DATE (dd.mm.yyyy):

26.10.2026

WHO WE ARE

Jotun’s story in the MEIA region (Middle East, India and Africa) began in 1962, and has grown to include 18 legal entities committed to achieving success and growth of the Jotun Group. Throughout our history, we have focused on providing our employees with meaningful and challenging work, rewarding them through continued learning and development, underpinned by our values of Loyalty, Care, Respect and Boldness.

Jotun MEIA FZ-LLC is the regional hub for Jotun in the MEIA region providing functional and business support to all our legal entities. With more than 130 employees, we aim to further strengthen Jotun’s position in the region through ambitious market growth plans that focus on innovation, efficiency and profitability.

Visit our Career Page to know more about life at Jotun.

Jotun’s company culture welcomes and values differences in people. Our more than 10,200 employees on all continents represent 90 nationalities, four generations and diversity of professions, gender, abilities, ethnicities, beliefs, cultures etc. We are committed to represent the societies we operate in, promoting equality, equity and zero-tolerance for discrimination.

If you are applying to a position and require any additional support in the interview process, please let us know how we can accommodate this.