R&D Chemist

CPS Inc; Gurnee (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Research and Development Chemist to join their dynamic team in a polymer production facility. This role offers an exciting opportunity to engage in product and process development, analysis, and technical service. The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry and have at least three years of relevant laboratory experience. You will be responsible for developing new chemical processes, conducting rigorous analyses, and collaborating with various departments to ensure product quality and compliance with standards. If you are passionate about innovation in chemistry and eager to contribute to a collaborative environment, this position is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry required, with 3+ years of lab experience.
• Strong analytical skills and technical literature analysis are essential.

Responsibilities

• Conduct product and process development in polymer chemistry.
• Perform chemical analysis and physical property characterization.

Skills

Laboratory Experience

Technical Literature Analysis

Chemical Analysis

Product Development

Process Development

Statistical Analysis

Silicone Chemistry

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry

Job description

Our Customer is seeking a candidate that is looking for a growth role in their polymer production facility.

The position of Research and Development Chemist encompasses a wide range of technical roles and responsibilities including Product and Process Development, Analysis and Physical Property Characterization, Technical Literature Analysis and Documentation and finally, Technical Service and Networking. In order to successfully engage with these roles and responsibilities the job incumbent must have at least a Bachelor’s or higher degree in Chemistry, 3 or more years relevant experience and a range of competencies including language, math and reasoning ability and complementary personal and social skills.

DUTIES:

Safety

• Comply with all company occupational health, safety and environmental legal requirements
• Report all unsafe conditions, work related injury or illness to a member of leadership
• Use personal protective equipment as assigned
• Safely handle hazardous chemicals and waste according to company and legal requirements as assigned
• Make recommendations for changes / improvements to ISO 9001 and 45000 integrated management systems

Product Development – Conducts new product development from bench scale to first run plant capability which could include synthetic products, formulated products and customer-specific starting point formulae using methodology that meet the following criteria:

• Customer specifications
• Compliance with both internal and external standards of environmental product and health impacts and technology sustainability
• Compliance with the scientific method of inquiry
• Rigorous application of statistical and experimental design protocols

Process Development – Aids Research and Development Engineers in the development of new chemical processes. These processes are developed while meeting the following criteria:

• Scalability
• Safe handling of chemicals and equipment
• Minimal waste production

Analysis and Testing

Chemical analysis – conducts routine qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses for:

• Competitive product analysis
• Internal product quality assessment

Physical property characterization – Conducts routine physical property characterizations (e.g., tensile strength, elongation, surface tension, particle size, contact angle etc.) on materials in order to:

• Assess correlation of molecular structure/composition to physical properties
• Analyze competitive products
• Assess internal product quality
• Control internal chemical processes

Modified and new analytical and physical property characterization methodology development – When standard methods of chemical analysis and/or physical property characterization are lacking, the job incumbent develops and employs modified or new methods of analysis and characterization.

Technical Literature Analysis and Documentation

• Routinely conducts relevant technical literature and patent surveys
• Assists with the creation of formulas, procedures and catalogue numbers for commercial products following ISO 9001 procedures
• Documents technical work in a rigorous manner

Technical Service and Networking

• Provides technical assistance to the Sales team by investigating and assisting with or solving customer complaints, addressing customer technical inquiries and educating Sales team on new products
• Works in conjunction with the Marketing Department to develop sales and safety literature including Technical Data Sheets, Material Safety Data Sheets and Product Overviews as needed
• Works with external toll manufacturers and raw material suppliers as needed
• Presents technical reports and summaries in a wide range of internal and external forums

Job Requirements

Technical Skills:

• BS in Chemistry or equivalent
• 3 or more years laboratory experience in the product development area, or other closely related areas
• Silicone chemistry a plus but not must have

SPECIALTIES: All Industrial Research & Development Laboratory related positions including: Formulation Chemist; Synthetic Chemist; R & D Leadership; Analytical Chemistry; Technical Service; Regulatory; Project Managers; Process Chemistry; Environmental and Health; Quality Positions; Material Scientist.

EXPERIENCE: My area of specialty includes: Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants, Specialty Chemicals, Building Materials, Polymers, Petrochemical, Agrochemical; Surface Cleaners; Ink; Surfactants; Resins.

The levels of candidates that I place include Chemists; Sr Chemists; Innovation; Directors; Quality Professionals; Technical Service Professionals; Production Supervisors; EHSSpecialists; Scientist; Regulatory Professionals; and Laboratory Support Personnel.