Advanced Scientist - Agricultural Coatings & Materials Innovation

Role details

General Summary

We have a great opportunity for an Advanced Scientist to join the Global Research & Development (R&D) organization, supporting both Agriculture and Materials Innovation.

Informed by market needs, customer challenges, and emerging technology trends, you will develop waterborne formulations and application-focused solutions by connecting structure-property relationship with functional performance.

Your ability to identify meaningful problems, evaluate new technologies, and create differentiated solutions will help establish compelling reasons to believe in the benefits of Michelman materials and accelerate growth across both areas.

Success in this role will require strong problem-solving skills, creativity, hands-on formulation experience, and the ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues in R&D, Sales, Marketing, Regulatory, Manufacturing, and other functions to convert promising concepts into commercially viable product platforms.

Your will become a go-to technical resource for optimizing coating and material performance in agricultural and emerging materials applications.

Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate with sales and marketing to develop problem statements based both on trends in the market and on latent customer needs
• Lead the development of application-focused solutions enabled by Michelman technologies across Agriculture Coatings and Materials Innovation.
• Design new (and sometimes complex) product development experiments to be conducted at the lab scale – either by you or by others
• Build a working knowledge of coatings application methods and performance tests which will enable the development of new concepts
• Lead the design, development, and optimization of seed coating technologies and innovative materials applications using synthetic, bio-based, and biodegradable polymer platforms
• Conduct hands-on laboratory work, including formulation and batch preparation, application trials, pilot-scale simulations, and performance characterization such as adhesion, abrasion resistance, drying behavior, particle size, rheology, and film properties
• Evaluate coating performance on target substrates, including seeds and other relevant materials, evaluating properties such as plantability, dust-off, active ingredient loading, biological compatibility, adhesion, and durability.
• Document thoroughly and accurately all experiments, analyses, and testing results
• Ensure timely delivery of project-related information/results to company partners
• Plan, initiate, and execute projects using the Michelman project management process
• Provide reports (written and verbal) on technical results/conclusions to business and technology leadership
• Build an effective collaboration with the global technical team to foster a culture of idea exchange and knowledge transfer
• Partner with commercial and customer-facing teams to tailor solutions based on market needs and application methods
• Multiply your individual expertise by drafting effective and easily-understood user guidelines for Michelman’s products – both as “application ready” solutions and as additives to be formulated with other materials
• Lead internal discussions to ensure that colleagues remain up-to-date on relevant product/application issues
• Scout and evaluate emerging technologies, materials, and external capabilities that could strengthen Michelman’s existing portfolio or enable new product platforms
• Assess the technical feasibility, scalability, performance differentiation, and potential risks of new materials and formulation concepts
• Support the transfer and scale-up of successful formulations from laboratory development to pilot and commercial production
• Engage and support external collaborations with academic institutions, industry partners, and key stakeholders
• Maintain a clean and safe work environment
• Perform related duties as assigned or as the situation dictates

Critical Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong analytical and observation skills
• Practical experience developing waterborne emulsion products, additives, and/or formulations for agricultural and innovative material applications
• Demonstrated track record of innovation, technology scouting, and/or process/product prototyping is highly desirable
• Solid understanding of polymer chemistry, structure-property relationships, formulation principles, and coating application methods. Experience with seed coating equipment, such as rotary coaters, or commercial seed treaters, is preferred
• Awareness of regulatory and sustainability considerations relevant to agricultural coatings and advanced materials, including microplastic restrictions, biodegradability requirements, chemical compliance, and applicable seed-treatment regulations or testing standards.
• Proven ability to lead technical projects and work independently while collaborating across disciplines
• Experience with stage-gate project management and the types of documentation required by that process
• Agile mindset to adapt to shifting business priorities and evolving technical challenges
• Ability to develop new laboratory methods as needed to address technical challenges and train others (as needed) in their effective use
• Demonstrated learning agility and technical judgment, with the ability to work effectively across exploratory research, application development, and commercialization activities
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal)

Education and Experience

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Polymer/Materials Science, or related field
• Minimum five (5) years of relevant industrial experience in formulation, coatings, polymeric materials, agricultural technologies, controlled release systems, or related application development.
• Experience in seed coatings or bio-based and biodegradable materials is highly desirable
• Preferred qualifications include experience in one or more of the following areas:
• Seed coating formulations or seed-treatment application technologies
• Bio-based or biodegradable polymers
• Sustainable coatings and materials
• Technology scouting and external collaboration
• Collaboration with seed, agrochemical, fertilizer, or advanced materials companies

Other

• Able to travel by car or plane to visit customers when needed
• Role may on occasion require long periods of standing and/or an extended work schedule
• Role may require heavy lifting from time to time (as much as 50 lbs. to waist level)
• Role will demand appropriate use of PPE - including safety shoes

Note: The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to the job. They are not construed to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.

About Michelman

Michelman is proud of the values-focused work environment that we have crafted. We pride ourselves in our focus on our values of integrity, respect, and success. With our dedication to your technical and professional growth in addition to our rigorous onboarding experience, we guarantee that you will find yourself challenged in new ways. We offer an excellent salary, incentive, and benefits package in a dynamic, empowered team environment.

Michelman is a global developer and manufacturer of environmentally friendly advanced materials for industry, offering solutions for the coatings, printing & packaging, and industrial manufacturing markets. The company’s surface modifiers, additives, and polymers are used by leading manufacturers around the world to enhance performance attributes and add value in applications including wood and floor care products, metal and industrial coatings, paints, varnishes, inks, fibers, and composites.

Michelman is also well-known as an innovator in the development of barrier and functional coatings, as well as digital printing press primers that are used in the production of consumer and industrial packaging and paper products, labels, and commercially printed materials. Michelman serves its customers with production facilities in North America, Europe, and Asia, product development and technical service centers in several major global markets, and a worldwide team of highly trained business development personnel.

No phone calls, please. Michelman does not hire individuals who use tobacco products. All candidates will receive a drug test prior to beginning employment which will include a test for tobacco products.

For more information about Michelman, please visit https://www.michelman.com/.

It is Michelman, Inc. policy to seek and employ qualified persons in all jobs in a manner which will ensure equal employment opportunity as well as administer personnel actions in a manner as to not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation or disability. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

*Michelman is an Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Females/Disabled/Veterans*

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.