Research Scientist

Cambria•Le Sueur, MN

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Chemical and Instrumental Scientist bridges the gap between R&D, production, and quality control by assisting with new product development, raw material validation, and quality control initiatives. The Senior Chemical and Instrumental Scientist owns, maintains, and runs Cambria’s suite of analytical equipment and will support innovation goals by expanding our materials research and characterization capabilities.

Requirements

Experience with various analytical equipment (i.e. XRD, XRF, FTIR, rheometer, GCMS)
Demonstrated problem-solving capabilities
Strong communication and organizational skills
Strong computer and data analysis skills
Statistics
Established project management skills and is results-oriented
Master’s degree in Material Science, Polymer Chemistry, or a related engineering or scientific discipline.
1-2 years preferred experience
Stand on feet for up to 8-hour shift, with required breaks
Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
Able to lift up to 50 lbs. occasionally & up to 20 pounds frequently (office supplies, packages, samples).
Able to push up to 100 lbs. occasionally
May need to bend, reach, walk, or stoop occasionally.
Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as steel toed boots, hearing protection and a respirator
Participate in daily stretch and flex exercises
Work in a non-climate controlled environment

Nice To Haves

PhD Material Science, Polymer Chemistry or related engineering or scientific discipline.
Experience with Continuous Improvement principles (lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, etc.).
ASQ Certification in Quality Engineering and/or Auditing is a plus.

Responsibilities

Operate, calibrate, and maintain high-value analytical instrumentation such as XRD, XRF, and FTIR.
Perform routine "deep-clean" protocols and preventative maintenance to ensure uptime and data integrity.
Troubleshoot equipment errors/issues and coordinate with vendors for specialized repairs.
Expand the capabilities of characterizing chemicals, pigments, and mineral fillers to ensure they meet strict incoming raw material specifications.
Investigate the structure-property relationships of existing and new polymers and chemicals to drive efficiency and innovation.
Perform crystal structure analysis via XRD to support the needs of incoming raw material testing and R&D efforts.
Perform elemental analysis via XRF to verify chemical compositions and detect trace impurities.
Execute long-term stability studies using accelerated weathering protocols to predict the lifespan and colorfastness of finished goods.
Conduct investigations into "out-of-spec" batches to identify root causes of failure.
Evaluate the impact of different fabrication techniques on the structural and aesthetic properties of the finished product.
Synthesize complex analytical data into clear, actionable reports for the QC Lab Manager.
Collaborate with R&D to validate new formulations, raw materials, and test methods.
Provide technical data to Application Engineers to assist with client-side performance queries.
Partner with Process Technology teams to translate lab findings into scalable manufacturing improvements.