R&D Chemist

Role details

The R&D Chemist will support the research, development and optimization of oxime cure filled and clear silicone adhesive, sealants and coatings. Working under the direction of Technical Director, this role conducts laboratory experiments, evaluates raw materials, and performs performance testing to support new product development, reformulation, and manufacturing support activities. Responsibilities will be to help determine basic chemical interactions and their link to product properties, formulating desired product properties into finished products.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONAL AND TECHNICAL COMPENTENCIES

• Assist in the formulation and development of oxime cured silicone adhesive, sealants and coatings system for construction and industrial applications.
• Prepare laboratory batches including prepolymer handling, compounding, moisture-curing systems, and catalyst/additive incorporation.
• Conduct performance testing such as viscosity, rheology, cure rate, tack free time, adhesion testing, tensile, elongation, ageing, heat, humidity and weathering resistance testing.
• Assist with scale-up trials, pilot runs, and troubleshooting during manufacturing transfer.
• Manage multiple time sensitive projects with varying performance and cost requirements for a wide range of both internal and external customers.
• Participate in the collection, documentation and translation of customer desires into product definitions and requirements.
• Document inventions and discoveries through laboratory notebooks, reports and presentations to partners both internally and externally.
• Execute all required job responsibilities while adhering to Seal Bond’s safety standards, founding principles and core values.

Relationships

• Collaborate with internal and external partners to define, develop, scale-up and launch new and novel adhesives, sealants and coatings as well as their application/delivery systems.
• Communicate regularly to senior management on project status, new areas of exploration and potential problems or concerns both within the business and in the markets we serve.
• Supervision of interns and other lab staff as required.
• Coordinate with the external departments such as manufacturing, product and project managers, and sales to assist in accomplishing corporate goals.

Flexibility

• Organize information and procedures in logical and practical manners.
• Know and utilize formal and informal channels to complete the job effectively.
• Understand and respect why some procedures have been developed for the company but be open to suggesting new ways of doing things.
• Use resources efficiently.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry from ACS - accredited program.
• 5-7 years of experience in technologies related oxime cure silicone, alkoxy silicon in filled and clear formulations for adhesive, sealants, coatings applications
• Willingness and interest in working in laboratory surroundings.
• Computer skills in Word, Excel, Outlook etc.
• Ability and interest in operating in a team environment.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously
• Effective written and oral communication skills
• Experience in statistical methods is highly preferred including Design of Experiments (DOE), hypothesis testing, regression analysis and statistical process control.

Seal Bond is a small – medium sized company, involved with the development and production of novel sealant, adhesive and coating materials for broad ranges of applications in numerous industries. Seal Bond is in Norton Shores, Michigan.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, military status, veteran status, marital status, gender identity or expression, transgender status, citizenship, sexual orientation, age (40 and older), disability (except where the disability prevents the individual from being able to perform the essential functions of the job and cannot be reasonably accommodated) or any other legally protected characteristic under federal, state or local law.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person