Research And Development Chemist - Formulation

Role details

Position Overview

We are seeking an innovative, hands-on

R&D Chemist – Formulation

to join our Technology team. In this role, you will lead the design, development, and scale-up of novel chemical formulations across our core product lines, which include specialty coatings, surfactants, industrial cleaners, and adhesives. You will drive projects from concept through bench-scale development, pilot testing, and full plant commercialization, ensuring high performance, cost efficiency, regulatory compliance, and process safety.

Key Responsibilities

Formulation & Benchtop Development

• Design, formulate, and optimize specialty chemical systems (e.g., emulsions, suspensions, solutions, and blends) to meet target performance and cost profiles.
• Plan and execute Design of Experiments (DoE) to systematically evaluate raw material interactions, solvent packages, and additive performance.
• Screen, evaluate, and qualify alternative raw materials to mitigate supply chain disruptions and lower cost of goods sold (COGS).

Analytical & Performance Characterization

• Perform comprehensive physical and chemical characterization, including viscosity (Brookfield, rheometry), surface tension, particle size analysis (DLS), flash point, pH, solids content, and specific gravity.
• Design and execute stability testing protocols (accelerated thermal aging, freeze-thaw cycles, shear stability) to validate product shelf-life.
• Interpret analytical data (FTIR, GC-MS, HPLC, GPC) in collaboration with analytical teams to troubleshoot degradation pathways and performance issues.

Scale-Up & Manufacturing Support

• Partner with Process Engineering and Operations to transfer benchtop formulations to pilot and full-scale toll or batch manufacturing (500–5,000+ gallons).
• Draft and validate Batch Manufacturing Records (BMRs), standard operating procedures (SOPs), and raw material specifications.
• Provide on-the-floor technical support during pilot runs and first commercial production batches, troubleshooting rheology, mixing, and exothermic anomalies.

Regulatory, Quality & Safety Compliance

• Maintain strict adherence to chemical hygiene plans, Process Safety Management (PSM), and OSHA laboratory safety standards.
• Ensure formulations comply with regional and global regulatory frameworks, including TSCA, REACH, Proposition 65, and GHS classification standards.
• Author and review raw material Safety Data Sheets (SDS), technical data sheets (TDS), and product stewardship documentation.

Documentation & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Maintain meticulous, IP-defensible electronic laboratory notebooks (ELN).
• Work closely with Technical Sales, Marketing, and Procurement to align formulation goals with market requirements and client feedback.
• Prepare clear technical reports, stage-gate presentations, and formulation patents when applicable.

Required

• Education:

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science, Materials Science, or a closely related field.

• Experience:
• B.S.:

3–5+ years of hands-on formulation experience in a chemical manufacturing or industrial laboratory environment.

• M.S.:

1–3+ years of relevant industry experience.

• Technical Skills:
• Direct experience with emulsion chemistry, surface chemistry, polymer blending, or solution formulation.
• Practical knowledge of rheological characterization and physical stability testing.
• Familiarity with chemical scale-up variables (shear rates, impeller selection, heat transfer, order of addition).
• Core Competencies:

Strong root-cause problem solving, statistical data analysis, and rigorous lab safety practices.

Preferred

• Experience with automated mixing systems, high-shear homogenizers, and spray dry/extrusion equipment.
• Working knowledge of Design of Experiments (DoE) software (e.g., Minitab, JMP).
• Experience formulating within environmentally sustainable frameworks (e.g., bio-based feedstocks, low-VOC, biodegradable surfactants).
• Working familiarity with ISO 9001 quality management systems.