Senior Scientist

Senior Scientist

Decatur, GA 30030, USA Req #259

Wednesday, March 15, 2023

We are charting the course for the next-generation chemical company. We may be a new company, but our roots are more than a century old, dating back to the creation of Bakelite. We saw then what we see now: The boundless possibilities of science and curiosity. Our innovations include Bakelite, Durite, Cellobond and Resonance. From trains to planes to everyday household items, we are improving thousands of products around the world today. Like the lightweight plastic, Bakelite is strong, durable, and its potential allows for its future to be molded into infinite shapes - and we're looking for talented and passionate people to help us create that future and the products that will change the world tomorrow.

Bakelite is looking for a Senior Scientist to identify, develop, and deploy new technologies to advance innovation strategies and provide critical expertise in chemistry for industrial and specialty applications.

Job Description & Responsibilities

• Identify, develop, and deploy new technologies to advance innovation strategies and provide critical expertise in formaldehyde-based chemistry and applications
• Translate business strategy to technical needs, engage internally and externally to identify and assess new ideas, and develop the fundamental understanding necessary to bring new chemistry from concept to commercial success
• Enhance and develop customer relationships through the proactive delivery of solutions that differentiates Bakelite technology and provides value to both Bakelite and the customer
• Enable Technical Service function through problem-solving, sampling, and testing
• Synthesize and conduct relevant lab experiments needed for various thermoset applications
• Support Operations to ensure the quality manufacture of resins and new product scale-ups
• Act as a technical expert (in at least one segment) for the organization within R&D and across the business
• Maintain up-to-date and comprehensive knowledge of the organization and competitive products
• Prepare technical reports promptly in support of product development and technical service activities
• Deliver technical presentations internally and externally as needed
• Identify the opportunity to create intellectual property assets for Bakelite and work with the patent attorney or agent in filing patents and responding to office actions
• Document and maintain lab notebook as required by the ISO standard
• Identify areas of growth and work with your manager to create an annual personal/ career development goal relevant to business needs
• Travel domestically as needed up to ca. 10-20% of time, occasional international travel.

Basic qualification

• BS or MS with 5+ years of relevant experience or Ph.D. with 3+ years of relevant experience in the field of Chemistry or Polymer Science
• Demonstration of a high level of mastery of polymer chemistry and design understanding that is transferrable across multiple industrial, construction, and specialty markets
• Strong knowledge and experience with chemical hygiene, laboratory safety, and environmental compliance
• Good communication skills, both oral and written
• Capable of working effectively in multi-functional teams
• Demonstrated learning agility
• Adaptability to changes to the projects and goals as dictated by business needs
• Strong skills in using Microsoft office products to analyze data and construct presentations as needed for effective communication of technical findings

Preferred

• Synthesis and formulation experience in thermoset resins, particularly related to formaldehyde polymers of phenol, urea, and melamine
• Working knowledge of phenolic, polyurethane, epoxy, polyester, and acrylic-based thermoset resins
• Detailed knowledge of physical characterization and testing of thermoset resins
• Proficiency in scale-up and manufacture of formaldehyde-based liquid and powder PF, UF, and MF resins; liquid and powder
• Experience applying thermosetting resins to relevant industrial processes (e.g., abrasives, refractory, and wood molding)
• Working understanding of abrasives, refractory, wood molding

We are an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, minority status, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, status as a qualified individual with a disability or any characteristic protected by law. 

In order to be considered for this position candidates are required to submit an application for employment through our career site, be at least 18 years or age, willing to take a drug test, submit to a background investigation as part of the selection process, as well as additional periodic background checks as required by the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) or regulations adopted by the Department of Homeland Security or other regulatory agencies. Candidates are required to have unrestricted authorization to work in the United States. This company participates in E-Verify.  For additional details, click HERE.

If currently an employee of the Company, you must have satisfactory work performance. Disclaimer: We are not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms/employment agencies for this employment opportunity. Please, no phone calls or emails to an employee about this position. All resumes submitted by search firms/employment agencies to any employee of the Company via email, the Internet or in any other form and/or method without a valid written search firm agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of the Company; no fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by the Company as a result of the unsolicited referral or through other means.