Senior Technical Service & Application Development Scientist

Position Summary

The Senior TS/AD Scientist is responsible for providing technical support for Styrenic Block Copolymer (SBC) products and leading new application development projects. This includes driving efforts in polymer compounding, formulation-property correlation, application testing, and production scale-up. The role also focuses on exploring and expanding SBC usage in various applications, such as elastic films for hygiene products, SBC compounding for injection molding, and plastic modification, all with the goal of fostering business growth and identifying new opportunities for SBC product applications.

Essential Functions

Technical Service:

• Provide expert technical support to customers regarding the processing and performance of TSRC products.
• Collaborate with the sales team to cultivate and strengthen long-term business relationships with customers.
• Advise the sales team on recommending new or existing SBC products to meet customer needs.
• Partner with R&D teams to test and evaluate both new and existing polymers in laboratory, pilot plant, and full-scale plant settings.
• Communicate customer product quality requirements to manufacturing teams to ensure alignment and consistency.
• Coordinate the global shipment of product samples to customers, ensuring timely delivery and proper documentation.
• Work with both internal and external stakeholders to address and resolve product quality issues in a timely manner.
• Troubleshoot technical problems reported by customers, offering solutions and improvements.
• Provide training and technical guidance to customers on the proper use of TSRC products, ensuring they achieve optimal performance.
• Prepare and present detailed technical reports on findings and outcomes.
• Attend industry conferences to engage with new and existing customers, stay updated on market trends, and identify technical needs, growth opportunities, and competitive landscapes.
• Write technical papers for trade journals and deliver presentations at trade shows to showcase expertise and product offerings.
• Utilize CRM systems to track customer interactions, document technical support cases, and ensure follow-up for ongoing technical inquiries and project updates.

Application Development:

• Lead and manage new application development projects, ensuring completion within schedule, budget, and with results that meet or exceed expectations.
• Design and execute experiments to validate or refine hypotheses and value propositions.
• Develop application processes and specialized test methods for new product applications.
• Analyze experimental data, provide initial interpretations, and draw conclusions to guide further development.
• Communicate project status, timelines, and updates to leadership, R&D, and business teams regularly.
• Prepare prototype samples for internal evaluation and customer submission, ensuring they meet specific performance criteria.
• Conduct process studies on processing equipment to determine optimal operating parameters and improve product performance.
• Operate and maintain lab compounders/extruders, cast film extruders, injection molders, and other processing equipment to test product applications.
• Independently present experimental results and recommendations to both internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with patent counsel to support patentability and infringement assessments, and assist in the preparation of patent applications.
• Stay informed on competitive technologies and intellectual property developments to maintain a strategic advantage.
• Build and nurture professional networks with internal and external customers to enhance collaboration and innovation.
• Keep current with the latest industry trends, scientific advancements, and customer needs within areas of responsibility.
• Identify opportunities based on market trends and develop programs to capitalize on them.
• Identify and implement process improvements in both laboratory and production environments to enhance efficiency, quality, and product performance.
• Contribute to sustainability initiatives by evaluating the environmental impact of product applications and exploring opportunities to improve sustainability through new processes or materials.
• Ensure all technical support and application development activities comply with relevant industry regulations, safety standards, and environmental guidelines.
• Maintain a safe, secure, and environmentally conscious work environment in compliance with safety regulations.
• Uphold TSRC values, business ethics, codes of conduct, and compliance standards at all times.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management, consistent with the general scope of the position.

Experience Requirement

• 2 to 5 years of experience in cast film, blown film, multi-layer film or non-woven.
• 2 to 5 years of experience in compounding SBCs for molded goods and impact modification.
• 2 to 5 years of experience in testing and characterization of films and plastics.
• Good knowledge of polymer material science, rheology, processing, and film applications
• Knowledge of thermoplastic polymer processing, including polymer rheology and extrusion equipment
• Experience with developing new products is preferred.
• Knowledge of compounding rubber and plastics.
• Experience in Design of Experiment (DOE).
• Knowledge of polymer additive chemistry, such as antioxidants, oils, tackifiers, pigments and dyes, slip agents, etc.
• Strong experience in intellectual properties and patent applications.

Education Requirement

• B.S. or M.S. degree in Polymer Science/Engineering, Chemistry/Chemical Engineering, Material Science, or related subjects