What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Development Chemist position at Ergon Inc.?
Position Summary
The Senior Development Chemist will lead laboratory research efforts focused on new product development, process improvements, product application studies, and technical support for sales and manufacturing. This role involves designing and executing chemical reactions, analyzing results, and developing innovative additive formulations. The ideal candidate will possess strong technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
Key Responsibilities
The Senior Development Chemist will lead laboratory research efforts focused on new product development, process improvements, product application studies, and technical support for sales and manufacturing. This role involves designing and executing chemical reactions, analyzing results, and developing innovative additive formulations. The ideal candidate will possess strong technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and conduct laboratory experiments, including chemical reactions and small-scale production processes, to develop new additives and improve existing formulations.
- Perform quality control and application testing to assess product performance and suitability for commercial production.
- Analyze experimental results, interpret data, and make recommendations for process optimization and product development.
- Document all laboratory work meticulously in a laboratory notebook, ensuring compliance with data recording and verification standards.
- Prepare concise and accurate technical reports to communicate findings and recommendations.
- Maintain a safe and compliant laboratory environment, enforcing safety protocols and best practices.
- Conduct standard and specialized quality control tests to evaluate new and existing products.
- Collaborate with the Quality Control team to support product scale-up and manufacturing at Severn and Hattiesburg plants.
- Provide technical support to sales and manufacturing teams, assisting with troubleshooting and product application challenges.
- Supervise and mentor junior chemists, organizing and delegating laboratory tasks effectively.
- Maintain laboratory equipment and workspaces in an organized and operational state.
- Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Polymer Science, or a related natural science field, or equivalent experience.
- Experience in polymer and/or oleo chemistry.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to draw correlations between molecular structure and final product performance.
- Proficiency in laboratory techniques, instrumentation, and chemical synthesis methods.
- Excellent communication skills for report writing, presentations, and cross-functional collaboration.
- Ability to lift and handle materials up to 55 lbs and stand for extended periods in a laboratory setting.
- Attention to detail, with a strong emphasis on safety and compliance.
- Advanced degree (Master's or Ph.D.) in Chemistry, Polymer Science, or a related field.
- Experience with process scale-up and commercialization of chemical products.
- Knowledge of spectrophotometry, chromatography, and other analytical techniques.
- Previous leadership or supervisory experience in a laboratory setting.
- Strong mechanical aptitude for laboratory equipment setup and operation.
