R&D Technical Specialist
About The Position
Avery Dennison is seeking a hands-on R&D Chemist to develop adhesives and coatings for its Label and Graphic Materials business. Based at the Mill Hall facility, the role focuses on laboratory-scale polymer development and on guiding formulations through pilot and full production scale-up. The position contributes to formal new product development and cost-out projects for commercial, R&D, and coating-operations stakeholders, translating commercial strategies into technical solutions that meet manufacturing and cost constraints. The specialist collaborates with technology and research teams and other business units, tracks emerging technologies, scouts raw materials, and generates ideas for polymer development and cost-out initiatives. The role may involve travel of up to 25% to gather customer needs, conduct experimental trials, and collaborate with teams.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Chemistry or Polymer Science.
- At least 5 years of experience in polymer design, synthesis, formulation, and scale-up.
- Demonstrated knowledge and application of statistical design of experiments.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Well-developed time-management skills and ability to balance or lead multiple projects simultaneously.
- Track record of effective participation on multifunctional teams involving R&D, Operations, Legal, and Commercial/Customer personnel.
- Ability to foster creativity and innovation while maintaining project progress and laboratory efficiency.
Nice To Haves
- Experience in commercial product development, particularly in the acrylic pressure-sensitive industry.
- Experience with high-speed coating and drying.
- Experience applying pressure-sensitive adhesives in the label industry.
Responsibilities
- Apply scientific principles of adhesion, polymer synthesis, and formulation to technical projects supporting LGM-NA growth and cost-out goals.
- Serve as technical leader on cross-functional project teams developing and promoting adhesives and coatings for target products and applications.
- Develop experimental designs, oversee testing, interpret data, and prepare technical reports for internal teams and stakeholders.
- Translate new product requirements into actionable work plans.
- Help project teams scope work plans through interaction with commercial teams and customers.
- Travel, potentially up to 25%, to gather customer needs, execute experimental trials, and collaborate with teams.
- Define projects for other Applications Laboratory staff.
- Work safely.
- Scout new raw materials and generate ideas for polymer development and cost-out initiatives.
Benefits
- Health and wellness benefits starting on day 1 of employment
- Paid parental leave
- 401(k) eligibility
- Tuition reimbursement
- Employee Assistance Program eligibility
- Health Advocate
- Paid vacation
- Paid holidays
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
