Metalworking Fluid and Lubricant Scientist

SASOL; Lake Charles (LA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Sasol USA Corporation in Lake Charles seeks a Senior Research Scientist to lead applications-focused research on surfactant systems and specialty chemicals for metalworking fluids and industrial lubricants. You will develop, test and scale new products, provide technical support to customers and sales, mentor team members, and collaborate with global R&D and cross-functional groups.

Travel as needed. The role requires a Ph.D.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemistry preferred or MS/BS in chemistry or related physical science.
• 5 years of relevant R&D experience.
• Proven formulation expertise with surfactants, alcohols, and additives.
• Experience supporting customers and commercializing new products.
• R&D project management experience required.

Responsibilities

• Provide formulation and application expertise for surfactants and alcohols for metalworking fluids and lubricants.
• Lead technical initiatives and manage multiple projects within R&D and cross-functional teams.
• Develop methods, operate instrumentation, and report results with ELN.
• Engage with global teams to commercialize new products and travel as needed.
• Mentor junior staff and support conferences and customer meetings.

Skills

Formulation expertise

Surfactant systems

Alcohols & additives

Metalworking fluids

Industrial lubricants

Tribology knowledge

Customer support

R&D project management

Communication skills

Problem solving

Education

Ph.D. in Chemistry preferred or MS or BS in chemistry or other physical science

Job description

Snr Research Scientist

Location: Lake Charles, United States

Company: Sasol

A job at Sasol is a career made by you, with purpose, development opportunities, benefits to support every stage of life and a working culture that embraces flexibility, diversity, and inclusion. Learn more.

Purpose of Job

Support applications-focused research and development activities at the Lake Charles site, with emphasis on surfactant-based systems, in alignment with global business strategies and objectives to ensure profitable growth. Develop, formulate, and test new surfactant-based and specialty chemical products for use in application areas that include metalworking fluids and industrial lubricants.. Demonstrate the value of existing and experimental Sasol products, particularly alcohols and surfactants, in relevant markets to support specialty chemical sales. Provide technical support at conferences and customer meetings as needed. Mentor and develop less experienced R&D team members.

Key Accountabilities

• Supports research projects that address the technical objectives of the research group by providing formulation and application expertise utilizing existing and new products for a variety of applications that use surfactants and alcohols, preferably in metalworking fluids and industrial lubricants. .
• Identifies and leads the development of technical solutions to key problems/issues known within the R&D function.
• Provides technical expertise and support to research team; leads significant technical initiatives within R&D and the site and handles multiple projects simultaneously.
• Understands technical requirements and recommends R&D objectives, defines what is needed in terms of equipment, etc. and sets appropriate priorities and project goals with supervisor and project teams to meet technical needs
• Demonstrates competencies regarding key standard techniques commonly used in the laboratory
• Responsible for method development, operation and maintenance of instrumentation in their area(s) of expertise, and communication of accurate and timely analytical results
• Critically evaluates, documents, and presents technical results. Use of electronic laboratory notebook required.
• Attends, networks and presents at key conferences
• Works with global cross functional team to develop and commercialize new products.
• Develops and maintains relationships with key stakeholders within research group, LC R&D department, global R&D departments, sales and marketing.
• Responsible for reporting US R&D activity into Global Sales and R&D teams.
• Responsible for generating new ideas to identify unexplored applications and product offerings for developing intellectual property in the fields of metalworking fluids and industrial lubricants
• Ability to travel as needed
• Adheres to safety, health, and environmental procedures

Formal Education

Ph.D. in Chemistry (preferred) or MS or BS in chemistry or other physical science

Working Experience

5 years relevant experience

Required Personal and Professional Skills

• Proven formulation expertise and hands-on experience, ideally including surfactant systems, alcohols and additives.
• Background in metalworking fluids and/or industrial lubricants preferred
• Formulation knowledge and experience required
• Knowledge of tribology preferred
• Experience providing technical support to customers required
• Experience commercializing new products required
• R&D Project management experience required: Plan, initiate, and run projects to conclusion with necessary interaction with R&D, Marketing and Sales, and customers
• Ability to effectively solve problems and reach data-based conclusions in multiple technical areas
• Effective interpersonal skills to work with internal and external customers
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Customer Focused
• Solutions Driven

Sasol (USA) Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and gives consideration for employment to qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, disability or protected veteran status, as well as any other characteristic protected by applicable law, regulation or local ordinance. For more information about your rights under the law, see http://www.eeoc.gov/employers/upload/poster_screen_reader_optimized.pdf

Sasol treats work-authorized job applicants equally in recruiting and hiring without regard to their citizenship status or national origin unless required by law, regulation, executive order, government contract, or determination by the Attorney General. Please note Sasol will not sponsor, obtain, and/or petition for temporary visa status (for example, E, F-1, H-1, H-2, L, B, J, or TN) for candidates for this position and/or personnel hired for this position.