Sr Scientist, Inkjet – Billerica, MA

Cabot Corporation; Billerica (MA); On-site; USD 128,000 - 186,000; Full time

Job summary

Cabot Corporation in Boston, MA seeks a Senior Scientist to lead a fast-moving Inkjet team. This role blends materials science with AI, ML, high-throughput experimentation, automation and advanced analytics to translate research into differentiated products and customer value.

You will collaborate with R&D, Marketing, Commercial and Manufacturing, plus customers, to design technical programs, deliver results and mentor junior staff while maintaining safe lab practices and IP protection.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary technical degree with 10+ years colloid-based R&D or 6+ years with Master’s
• PhD in related field with 2+ years colloid-based R&D or related inkjet experience

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver medium-to-high complexity projects in materials, products, processes, and applications.
• Communicate results, risks, and recommendations to management and partners.
• Provide guidance to junior staff and ensure safe lab practices and IP compliance.

Skills

Carbon black expertise

Experimental design

Statistics

Data analysis

Machine learning

Research leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

PhD

Tools

Python

Job description

Cabot Corporation (NYSE: CBT) is a leading global specialty chemicals and performance materials company headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Our businesses deliver a broad range of products and solutions to customers in every corner of the globe, serving the transportation, infrastructure, environment and consumer industry sectors. We bring the power of innovative chemistry to solve customers' challenges today while preparing them to meet tomorrow’s needs. Our commitment to innovation is driven by a passion to advance our customers' businesses through our deep understanding of their applications and the global trends that impact their operations. If you do not meet every requirement, or your experience is slightly different that what we have listed, we still encourage you to apply!

Your Role at Cabot:

Cabot has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Scientist to join our fast-moving Inkjet team. This independent technical leader will drive complex, cross-functional projects that translate materials science into differentiated products, processes, and customer value. The role combines rigorous experimentation, mechanistic thinking, advanced data analysis, and practical project leadership across particle design, surface and interfacial chemistry, dispersion, formulation, rheology, transport, and print-system performance. Carbon black expertise is highly desirable. Working closely with R&D, Marketing, Commercial, Manufacturing, and key customers, the Senior Scientist will shape technical direction and accelerate development using modeling, AI, machine learning, high-throughput experimentation, automation, and advanced analytics. Are you a positive, curious, and motivated technical professional who enjoys bringing structure to complex, cross-functional projects? Can you work directly with customers and internal partners to connect scientific understanding with practical product, process, or application value? Are you eager to combine strong materials science with emerging AI, machine learning, automation, and high-throughput tools? If so, please consider the opportunity we have for you to join our team!

How You’ll Make an Impact:

Independently leads and delivers projects of moderate to high complexity and scope that address important technical and commercial needs in materials, products, processes, and applications. Works with Technology management and cross-functional partners to define clear project objectives, scope, milestones, decision points, resource needs, risks, and deliverables aligned with business priorities. Plans, schedules, coordinates, and executes detailed phases of complex projects, using sound project management practices and maintaining current project documentation. Sets hypotheses and develops technical approaches using literature, mechanistic understanding, experimentation, modeling, and theory; adapts or introduces methods as needed to advance learning. Generates, organizes, and interprets data using experimental design, advanced statistical analysis, and appropriate digital tools to distinguish facts from assumptions, draw conclusions, and make actionable recommendations. Applies and helps advance AI, machine learning, high-throughput experimentation, laboratory automation, and data-management approaches to accelerate development and improve the quality of technical decisions. Leads or contributes to projects involving carbon black, connecting particle properties, surface chemistry, structure, morphology, dispersion behavior, and relevant manufacturing variables to product and application performance. Builds productive relationships with key customers and external partners; collaborates closely to understand needs, design technical programs, present results, resolve issues, and deliver differentiated value. Prepares clear reports and presentations and communicates results, conclusions, risks, and recommendations to management, broad technical audiences, commercial partners, and customers. Proactively shares knowledge through technical seminars, white papers, training, and other forums. Provides guidance and training to junior employees and may oversee project work assigned to one or more team members. Adheres to all intellectual property standards, stays current with relevant patent literature, identifies opportunities for new IP, and supports patent application preparation. Ensures safe laboratory operations, participates in safety activities and investigations, and develops technical documentation and tools that strengthen safe execution. Strictly follows all SH&E procedures, standards, and regulations and supports the Responsible Care® Management System and RC14001® requirements, as applicable to the site or region.

What You’ll Bring to Cabot:

Education/Experience Post‑secondary technical degree (Bachelor’s/University) and generally 10+ years of colloid‑based research and development, or other related inkjet industry experience, OR Master’s degree in a related technical discipline and generally 6+ years of colloid‑based research and development, or other related inkjet industry experience, OR Ph.D. in a related technical discipline generally with 2+ years of colloid‑based research and development, or other related inkjet industry experience. Advanced knowledge in chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, or a related discipline, with the ability to connect scientific fundamentals to practical execution and business value. Demonstrated ability to organize and manage complex technical projects, coordinate cross‑functional contributors, manage priorities and risks, and deliver against objectives and timelines. Experience managing customer interactions or relationships in a technology environment for product, process, or application development is highly desirable. Knowledge of carbon black particle characteristics, surface chemistry, structure, morphology, dispersion behavior, performance relationships, and aspects of carbon black manufacturing is highly desirable. Strong capability in hypothesis‑driven problem solving, experimental design, classical statistical methods, modeling, data management, and interpretation of complex technical results, with a demonstrated ability to make sound decisions and actionable recommendations based on reliable data. Exposure to Python or similar programming languages is beneficial for supporting data analytics and workflow automation, along with an interest in developing these skills. Familiarity with AI‑powered tools for research, data analysis, workflow efficiency, and technical problem‑solving, with a willingness to learn and adopt new applications. Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and credibly with customers, technical teams, commercial partners, and senior management. Direct people‑management experience, prior supervision of employees, or a history of effectively guiding junior technical staff is preferred but not required.

How We’ll Support Your Success:

The pay range for this role is from $128,300-$186,100. The actual compensation offered to the successful candidate will depend on the candidate's skill, qualifications, experience and location. In addition, all positions are eligible for health benefits on the first day of employment, 401K savings plans, vision, dental and annual bonus based on company performance. Dynamic, Flexible, Hard Working, Team Environment – We are busy, collaborative, growing, and we are doing meaningful work in a diverse team that values different backgrounds and perspectives Growth – Our goal is to be the trusted world leader driving the transformation of printing towards a sustainable and digital future. We need great people to execute this vision and are committed to providing training, peer coaching and support to maximize your ability to grow Benefits, Vacation, Etc. – We offer a competitive package of benefits and flexibility around working location Feedback – We are committed to giving and receiving feedback in a direct and open fashion Support – You are part of a team and deserve to feel encouraged and supported. Our technology is the lifeblood of our business and as a key contributor, your work and thoughts will be valued. You will be part of a team that cares about you personally and professionally. Our success depends on your success. At Cabot, we bring the power of innovative chemistry and a spirit of partnership with our customers to advance solutions that will enable a sustainable future. Our strength in research and development is a major reason why we have been an industry leader for more than 135 years in products such as reinforcing and specialty carbons, battery materials, aerogel, fumed metal oxides, inkjet colorants, masterbatches and conductive compounds. Our employees around the world are united by our shared purpose: Creating materials that improve daily life and enable a more sustainable future. Through our corporate strategy, “Creating for Tomorrow,” we are focused on our core strengths to lead in performance and sustainability – today and into the future.

EEO/AA Employer/Vet/Disabled/RC14001

Realizing we function better together than individually, Cabot Corporation is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive culture that embraces our differences and to empower employees to achieve exceptional results, without consideration of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other legally protected categories. This includes providing reasonable accommodation for employees’ and applicants’ disabilities or religious beliefs and practices, in accordance with applicable law. Cabot is committed to supporting and maintaining a safe and environmentally focused working environment. All employees are expected to uphold this commitment in every position. Nondiscrimination Policy with Respect to Discussion of Pay This is to advise that it is the policy of Cabot Corporation not to discharge or in any other manner discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because such employee or applicant has inquired about, discussed, or disclosed the compensation of the employee or applicant or another employee or applicant. This policy, however, shall not apply to instances in which an employee who has access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as part of that employee's essential job functions (such as in payroll or HR) discloses the compensation of such other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to such information, unless that disclosure is in response to a formal complaint or charge, in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing or other action, including an investigation conducted by Cabot, or otherwise as required by law.

Pre-Employment Drug Testing and Background Checks

Cabot is proud to operate as a drug‑free workplace. All applicants conditionally offered a position must (a) complete and pass a background check and (b) complete a drug test and receive an acceptable test result. For certain manufacturing, quality and production positions, a pre‑employment physical may be required. Cabot Corporation is a leading global specialty chemicals and performance materials company with locations in over 20+ countries. We combine our global perspective with local decision‑making to deliver performance that makes a difference in the markets we serve, from transportation and infrastructure to environment and consumer. Our employees around the world are united by our shared purpose: creating materials that improve daily life and enable a more sustainable future. We empower individuals to take ownership of their careers and promote a culture where people feel encouraged to share ideas, challenge the status quo, and collaborate, creating a workplace where all employees can make an impact.