Research Chemist I

LB Foster; Burnaby; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Priority on work/life balance

Flexible work culture

Career development opportunities

Job summary

LB Foster in Burnaby, Canada, is seeking a Research Chemist I to provide technical support for commercial consumable products while engaging in R&D activities. The ideal candidate will have a B.Sc. or M.Sc. in Chemistry, experience in a laboratory setting, and strong Microsoft Office proficiency.

This role involves managing lab organization, training personnel, and supporting new product development and quality control initiatives. The company promotes a work/life balance, flexible culture, and advancement opportunities.

Qualifications

• Experience planning and conducting R&D projects (e.g., university or COOP projects).
• 1–2 years of work experience, preferably in a laboratory setting.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support for commercial consumable products.
• Support new product development activities through a stage gate process.
• Engage in a variety of R&D activities including scientific research and product formulation.
• Exhibit innovation and identify new approaches to broaden and expand product functionality.
• Manage all aspects of lab organization, safety, and project documentation.
• Train and develop personnel on health and safety, lab equipment, and SOPs.
• Participate in manufacturing quality control of consumable products.
• Design and implement changes in laboratory or manufacturing processes.
• Support laboratory 5S, EHS, and continuous improvement activities.

Skills

Time Management

Communication

Microsoft Office proficiency

Attention to detail

Team player

Education

B.Sc. or M.Sc. in Chemistry or a related physical science

Job description

At L.B. Foster, our culture reflects our passion for integrity, accountability and safety. We have a long history of providing a safe workplace for our employees, striving to be good stewards for the environment and establishing strong and respectful relationships with our customers and communities.

We continue to strengthen our culture with a focus on SPIRIT. Within the company lies a spirit of teamwork and innovation that drives a culture around continuous improvement and high performance.

SPIRIT Values

• S – Safety
• P – People
• I – Integrity
• R – Respect
• T – Teamwork

Research Chemist I works collaboratively and independently within the consumable products group. This role provides general technical support for commercial consumable products and engages in a variety of R&D activities revolving heavily around formulations. Supervision of other team members, such as COOP students or laboratory technicians, may be required.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support for commercial consumable products, such as friction modifiers, greases, lubricants, and solid sticks.
• Support new product development activities through a stage gate process to deliver against technical targets and project scope.
• Engage in a variety of R&D activities including scientific research, product formulation, raw material sampling, analytical testing, performance testing, scale‑up manufacturing testing, data analysis, record keeping, and communication of results.
• Exhibit innovation and identify new approaches to broaden and expand the functionality and performance of the company’s consumable products.
• Manage all aspects of lab organization, safety, group meeting programs, and project documentation.
• Train and develop personnel on health and safety, lab equipment, SOPs, and chemistry background of the products.
• Participate in manufacturing quality control of all consumable products, including audits and communication with toll manufacturers.
• Design and implement changes in laboratory or manufacturing processes and procedures to improve safety, cost, and efficiency.
• Support laboratory 5S, EHS, maintenance and calibration of all lab instrumentation, and continuous improvement activities.

What You Need

• B.Sc. or M.Sc. in Chemistry or a related physical science.
• Experience planning and conducting R&D projects (e.g., university or COOP projects).
• 1–2 years of work experience, preferably in a laboratory setting.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office.

Core Competencies

• Strong ability to plan and deliver technical work.
• Goal setting, planning, and prioritizing skills.
• Proficient communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Excellent time management and ability to produce quality work within tight deadlines.
• Ability to travel as required to other sites, manufacturers, and field trials.

Benefits

• Priority on work/life balance and schedule flexibility.
• Flexible work culture and environment.
• Career development and advancement opportunities.

Key Skills

• Time Management
• Communication
• Microsoft Office proficiency
• Attention to detail
• Team player