Associate Scientist, Surfactants

Locus Management•The Woodlands, TX

17d•Onsite

About The Position

Locus Bio-Energy, Ingredients, Mining is seeking an Associate Scientist to support research and product development in a fast-paced laboratory environment in The Woodlands, Texas. The role involves conducting laboratory testing, participating in experimental design under senior scientists’ guidance, assisting with method development and data analysis, and maintaining high standards of safety, documentation, and technical execution. The position offers an early-career scientific contributor experience with experimental design, advanced instrumentation, and cross-functional collaboration, and provides a foundation for progression to Scientist and Senior Scientist roles. The Associate Scientist prepares surfactant samples, solutions, and formulations, performs physical and chemical testing, and adapts application-specific testing to demonstrate biosurfactant performance compared with conventional surfactants. The role also supports laboratory programs that connect field performance and production outcomes, and the development of differentiated biosurfactant technologies and performance specifications across energy, mining, and specialty ingredients. The position contributes to research and product development, data management and communication, laboratory safety and compliance, and laboratory leadership and collaboration. It works under general supervision across one or more projects, seeking guidance for non-routine methods and analysis. Work is primarily on-site in a laboratory and may involve chemicals, biological materials, laboratory reagents, instrumentation, and production equipment. Occasional travel is required.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Engineering or Chemistry with 10 years of laboratory experience, or a Master of Science with 2 or more years of laboratory experience.
Strong documentation discipline and attention to detail.
Emerging capability in method development and instrumentation.
Commitment to safety, data integrity, and scientific rigor.
Ability to stand for extended periods, up to 6–8 hours per shift.
Frequent use of hands and fingers for fine motor tasks such as pipetting, sample preparation, equipment operation, and data entry.
Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull materials weighing up to 25 pounds.
Visual acuity, including near vision and color differentiation, to read instruments, labels, and test results.
Ability to work with a computer and laboratory instrumentation for extended periods and to wear required PPE, including gloves, lab coat, eye protection, face shield, and respirator where required.
Ability to work around chemicals, biological materials, odors, varying noise levels, and other conditions typical of laboratory or manufacturing environments.
Ability to respond to alarms, equipment signals, and safety notifications.

Responsibilities

Prepare surfactant samples, solutions, and formulations according to established test methods and protocols.
Conduct physical and chemical testing, including surface tension, interfacial tension, foam generation and stability, wetting and spreading, emulsion stability, viscosity and rheology, pH, density, and conductivity testing.
Maintain chemical and sample inventory.
Perform or adapt application-specific performance tests to demonstrate biosurfactant performance advantages over conventional surfactants.
Help develop laboratory programs that correlate field performance and production outcomes, including analysis of treatment, production, flowback, and tracer data.
Contribute to the development of biosurfactant-based technologies across energy, mining, and specialty ingredients, and help establish product performance specifications and quality requirements for commercialization.
Plan and execute experiments, design of experiments (DOE), and method improvements aligned with project goals.
Operate and troubleshoot analytical instrumentation and ensure data quality and reproducibility.
Translate findings into recommendations for scale-up or product decisions.
Lead major equipment maintenance, optimization, and troubleshooting efforts.
Follow laboratory practices for new product development, stability, and commercialization; identify workflow and reliability improvements; and create or improve standard operating procedures.
Maintain accurate laboratory notebooks, electronic files, equipment logs, calibration logs, maintenance records, and equipment-use documentation.
Record test data, observations, and results clearly and promptly in project systems.
Communicate data insights, trends, and recommendations to scientists and leadership; review and validate documentation from junior team members.
Contribute to invention disclosures, publications, and presentations as appropriate.
Model and follow chemical hygiene, personal protective equipment, health, safety, and environmental requirements; support audit readiness, traceability, and good laboratory housekeeping.
Provide informal technical support to junior team members and lead training on equipment, documentation, and testing techniques.
Support laboratory organization, supply planning, equipment readiness, calibration, workflow efficiency, and internal knowledge transfer.
Partner across functions to progress project milestones and communicate results and risks to diverse stakeholders.