CPD Researcher

LyondellBasell; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

LyondellBasell is seeking a CPD Researcher to advance polymer structure-property relationships, catalyst insights, and polymerization knowhow across our polyethylene, Catalloy and polypropylene resin sites in support of business goals.

In this role you will lead development projects from initiation to commercialization, support new product scale-up, and work with manufacturing to improve processes while ensuring product stewardship and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• PhD in Polymer Science and Engineering or a Bachelor's degree with 6 years of relevant industry experience.
• Experience with resin characterization methods and polymer processing technologies.
• Ability to lead development projects and coordinate pilot and commercial test runs.
• Strong written and verbal communication; cross-functional teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of new products and polymer technologies for polypropylene resin and other polymers.
• Manage medium-term product and process development projects from initiation to commercialization.
• Support commercial scale-up and pilot plant testing.
• Define polymer composition and predict resin performance for target applications.
• Ensure alignment with Product Stewardship and Regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with catalyst and technology teams; provide resin targets and feasibility studies.
• Identify opportunities and design experiments to prove concept.

Skills

Polymer structure-property relations

Catalyst technology

Polymerization processes

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Education

PhD in Polymer Science and Engineering

Bachelor’s degree + 6 years experience

Job description

LyondellBasell is a leader in the global chemical industry creating solutions for everyday sustainable living. With a nearly 70-year legacy that includes a Nobel Prize in Chemistry and our proprietary MoReTec recycling technology, LYB is enabling a more sustainable future for generations to come. LYB develops high-quality and innovative products for applications ranging from sustainable transportation and food safety to clean water and quality healthcare. LYB places high priority on diversity, equity and inclusion and is Advancing Good with an emphasis on our planet, the communities where we operate and our future workforce. We're addressing the global challenges of ending plastic waste, taking climate action, and supporting a thriving society, while generating value for our customers, investors, and society.

Come Join an Inclusive Team

The Commercial Product Development (CPD) Researcher provides fundamental technical subject matter expertise in polymer structure-property relationships, catalyst, polymerization and process knowhow as well as general manufacturing support to our polyethylene, Catalloy and especially polypropylene resin production sites in support of business directed goals. The primary role is to lead the development of new products and the introduction of polymer technologies aimed at enhancing LyondellBasell’s leadership position in targeted markets.

A Day in the Life

• Works cross functionally to manage medium term product and polymerization process development / improvement projects from initiation, through qualification, to subsequent commercialization in support of business directed objectives.
• Supports the commercial scale-up of new / improved products and polymer technologies to achieve business objectives.
• Provides support to manufacturing plants including process improvement initiatives and other activities aimed at operational excellence and continuous improvement.
• Defines polymer composition of new resins and predicts resin performance in targeted conversion processes, markets and end use applications.
• Recognized as a technical subject matter expert in polymer structure, property and technology process relationships and focused on resin development and design.
• Leads efforts to ensure product development programs have proper linkage between catalyst architecture, polymer microstructure and key product properties desired in the marketplace and that products adhere to Product Stewardship and Regulatory requirements.
• Provides resin targets to catalyst development and other technology development teams and supports the planning and executing of pilot plant and commercial test runs for developmental products.
• Identifies business critical product / application / innovation opportunities and conducts scouting research and design of experiments to develop proof of concept, with the intent of establishing technical and commercial feasibility.
• Verifies customer needs, linking these to critical product attributes, while also recommending product performance targets and prototyping potential product solutions at target customers.

Primary Internal and External Touch Points

• Customers: Technical Management and Engineers, Manufacturing Management and Engineers, Quality Assurance Engineers and Line Operators
• Industry Associations and Regulatory Bodies: Legislators, Standards Groups and other Industry experts
• Internal: Marketing Managers, Asset Managers, Account Representatives, Applications Development and Technical Service Engineers, R&D Researchers, Manufacturing and Production Engineers, Line Operators, Lab Technicians, Product

You Bring This Value

• Strong technological orientation, results oriented, project management, innovation, creativity, good oral and written communication skills, teamwork, leadership, problem solving and decision making skills are essential for this position.
• Up to twenty five percent travel, mostly within the US and occasionally to Europe, is expected.
• The position requires a PhD, or a Bachelor’s degree with 6 years of relevant industry experience minimum.
• Preferred degree disciplines include Polymer Science and Engineering, Plastics or Polymer Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or Materials Science and Engineering.
• The position also requires demonstrated experience with resin characterization methods, product performance testing, and polymer processing technologies.

Competencies

• Build Partnerships
• Deliver Results
• Drive Innovation
• Grow Capabilities
• Promote Inclusion
• Motivational Fit
• Technical Skills

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LyondellBasell is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. The US EEO is the Law poster is available here.

LYB is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation related to LYB’s recruiting process, please email us at [e-mail].

Applicants must be at least 18 years old.

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