Research/Application Technician – Insulation, Americas

Evonik•Allentown, PA

About The Position

Explore a world of opportunities with us. Look ahead with us and help shape innovative solutions to make our world more sustainable and life healthier, more vibrant and more comfortable. At Evonik, you have the chance to explore, thrive, and grow alongside 33,000 colleagues. Among attractive career paths and high-quality development programs, we not only offer performance-based remuneration and occupational health benefits but also hybrid and flexible working environments with #SmartWork. Bring your fresh perspective, develop your strengths, break out your mold, and find a career that fits your dreams with us. Click on the link below to learn what our employees have to say about Evonik: https://careers.evonik.com/en/about/meet-the-team/ This role provides Applications Development and Technical Service for the Insulation Product Line across the Americas (Canada, US, Latin America). The Polyurethane Applications Technician will work closely with their supervisor to help innovate and support the polyurethane foam insulation market. This person will be responsible for helping the development of polyurethane additives such as amine catalysts, metal catalysts, silicone surfactants, and other performance or processing aids for mainly the Insulation PIR Foam Market Segment. However, other Rigid Polyurethane Foam market segments which include Appliance, Spray, One-Component Foam, and other construction and insulation applications may be also applicable. Responsibilities will include providing support for technical service to new and existing customers, as well as helping to test and develop new additives.

Requirements

Associate’s degree required, with a Bachelor’s in Chemistry, Materials Science, Polymer Chemistry, or Chemical Engineering preferred
Laboratory experience is preferred but not mandatory for the position with a preference in Polyurethane foam research.
Sound experience and understanding of straightforward procedures or systems.
Uses clear and effective verbal communications skills without supervision and provides technical guidance when required on expressing ideas, requesting actions and formulating plans or policies.
Supports business processes without supervision by understanding and effectively using standard office equipment and standard software packages, while providing technical guidance as needed.
Works with guidance (but not constant supervision) to plan, organize, prioritize and oversee activities to efficiently meet business objectives.
Identifies, assesses, prioritizes and manages risks in a production process without supervision and provides technical guidance when required.
Works with guidance (but not constant supervision) to develop appropriate plans or perform necessary actions based on recommendations and requirements.
Works with guidance (but not constant supervision) to develop, monitor, interpret and understand policies and procedures, while making sure they match organizational strategies and objectives.
Works under guidance (but not constant supervision) to analyze data trends for use in reports to help guide decision making.
Manages and applies safe systems of work without supervision and provides technical guidance when required.

Responsibilities

Help Applications Development and Technical Service efforts to provide solutions to customers in the rigid insulating polyurethane foam markets within the Americas region. Primary customers located in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Brazil.
Collaborate with the Product R&D groups in the development and evaluation of new technologies for the insulation market.
Establish laboratory and relevant applications development capabilities as needed to service the needs of customers.
Manage laboratory space and equipment as well as assume safety responsibilities according to Evonik site safety guidelines.
Identify shortcomings in existing processes, systems and procedures, and use established change management programs to address them.
Collect information to gain a better understanding of routine procedural queries.
Provide routine support services to others.
Support others by carrying out a range of product development and engineering activities such as analyzing client situations or interpreting data.
Support others by carrying out a range of project management activities.
Find the most effective ways to respond to routine functional enquiries. Involves following procedures and precedents.
Design own monthly schedule and, if necessary, assign work to others in order to speed up office workflow and ensure high-priority tasks get done