R&D Material Expert

Etex; Kapelle-op-den-Bos; Sur place; EUR 90 000 - 120 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Etex is seeking an experienced R&D Material Expert in Kapelle-op-den-Bos, Belgium, to lead development and industrialization of innovative material solutions for cement applications. This role emphasizes sustainability, circularity and CO2 reduction, with opportunities to collaborate across global production sites and with external partners.

The position requires advanced degrees and strong expertise in cement chemistry, XRD analysis, and cross-functional teamwork.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in chemical engineering, materials science or related field.
• Strong background in mineralogy and cement chemistry.
• Ability to work independently on technically complex topics and in international environments.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Fluent in English.

Responsabilités

• Lead development and industrialization of material solutions for cement applications with a focus on sustainability and product performance.
• Support and execute industrial trials across multiple production plants to validate new technologies.
• Provide technical leadership for strategic projects and collaborations with universities and suppliers.
• Drive improvements in product performance, process robustness and manufacturing cost efficiency.
• Identify and validate future materials, technologies and process solutions.
• Translate lab data into actionable technical recommendations.

Connaissances

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Independent working

Cross-functional communication

Stakeholder management

Formation

MSc/PhD in chemical engineering or materials science

Outils

XRD Rietveld analysis

Description du poste

Location: Kapelle-op-den-Bos, BE

At Etex, our purpose is building better together. We are an international leader in sustainable construction, driven by a passion for excellence, but it's our people that are our top priority. We connect, collaborate, and champion the well‑being of our employees, forming partnerships and pioneering change in our ever‑evolving industry.

At Etex, we seek to make a meaningful impact in the lives of our customers and our communities. Are you looking for a company where you can learn, grow & lead? Join us as R&D Material Expert and be the driving force behind the success of our products!

What You'll Do

• Lead the development, industrialization and implementation of innovative material and process solutions for fiber cement applications with a strong focus on sustainability, circularity, CO₂ reduction, cost optimization and product performance improvement.
• Develop and implement low‑carbon and circular material solutions aligned with business and sustainability objectives.
• Support and execute industrial trials across multiple production plants to validate and scale new technologies.
• Provide technical leadership for strategic innovation projects and manage collaborations with external partners, universities and suppliers.
• Drive improvements in product performance, process robustness and manufacturing cost efficiency.
• Identify, evaluate and validate future‑oriented materials, technologies and process solutions.
• Contribute to intellectual property generation, grant applications and scientific positioning of the organization.
• Provide technical support and expertise to production sites and business units globally, including troubleshooting and process optimization.
• Lead product development initiatives focusing on innovative formulations, alternative binders, circular raw materials and industrial feasibility.
• Manage R&D and industrial implementation projects end‑to‑end, including planning, stakeholder alignment, risk management, execution and reporting.
• Analyze laboratory and industrial data, define testing programs and translate results into actionable technical recommendations.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to accelerate innovation from laboratory scale to full industrial implementation.
• Support innovation through benchmarking, knowledge sharing, patent contributions and participation in strategic initiatives.

What You'll Bring

• Master's degree or PhD in Chemical Engineering, Geosciences, Materials Science, Process Engineering, Cement/Concrete Technology, or related field.
• Background in mineralogy and cement chemistry, basic characterization techniques in particular XRD Rietveld analysis.
• Strong understanding of industrial production processes and material behavior.
• Experience in applied research, process development, or industrial R&D.
• Ability to work independently on technically complex topics.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Comfortable working in international and multidisciplinary environments.
• Fluent in English.

Why Join Us

• We are named the world's #1 most trustworthy company in the construction sector by Newsweek and Statista in 2023! And one of the top companies to grow your career in Belgium in 2023 according to LinkedIn!
• Our culture – we connect & care about those around us. We nurture teamwork, communities, partnerships and new ways of working, placing the highest importance on the safety and working environment of our people.
• Our ‘Road to Sustainability 2030’ is our plan to help build a better, sustainable future. We work towards this vision by caring about our social and environmental impacts and developing innovative solutions.
• We have a strong conviction that diversity of thinking helps us to deliver a strong and sustainable performance. It is also essential for us that everyone feels part of the team. In this spirit, we are committed to equal opportunities and zero tolerance towards discrimination.
• Flexibility: For us, hybrid and flexible working is all about trust, and we want you to be able to do your best work.