Snr Research Scientist

Sasol•Lake Charles, LA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Support applications-focused research and development activities at Sasol’s Lake Charles site, emphasizing surfactant-based systems and aligning work with global business strategies and objectives for profitable growth. Develop, formulate, and test surfactant-based and specialty chemical products for applications including metalworking fluids and industrial lubricants. Demonstrate the value of existing and experimental Sasol products, particularly alcohols and surfactants, in relevant markets to support specialty chemical sales. Provide technical support at conferences and customer meetings as needed, and mentor and develop less experienced R&D team members. The position supports research projects by providing formulation and application expertise using existing and new products, identifies and leads technical solutions to problems, and provides technical expertise across multiple projects. It also determines technical requirements, equipment needs, priorities, and project goals with supervisors and project teams. The role develops laboratory methods, operates and maintains instrumentation, communicates analytical results, and critically evaluates, documents, and presents technical findings using an electronic laboratory notebook. The scientist works with global cross-functional teams to develop and commercialize products, maintains relationships with research, R&D, sales, and marketing stakeholders, reports U.S. R&D activity to global sales and R&D teams, and generates ideas for new applications and product offerings that may support intellectual property in metalworking fluids and industrial lubricants. Travel may be required. The position must adhere to safety, health, and environmental procedures.

Requirements

At least 5 years of relevant experience.
Formulation knowledge and experience.
Proven formulation expertise and hands-on experience, ideally including surfactant systems, alcohols, and additives.
Experience providing technical support to customers.
Experience commercializing new products.
R&D project management experience, including planning, initiating, and running projects to conclusion with interaction across R&D, Marketing, Sales, and customers.
Ability to solve problems effectively and reach data-based conclusions across multiple technical areas.
Effective interpersonal skills for working with internal and external customers.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Ph.D. in Chemistry.
Background in metalworking fluids and/or industrial lubricants.
Knowledge of tribology.

Responsibilities

Support applications-focused R&D projects with formulation and application expertise, particularly for surfactant- and alcohol-based products.
Develop, formulate, and test surfactant-based and specialty chemical products for metalworking fluids, industrial lubricants, and other applications.
Demonstrate the value of existing and experimental Sasol products to support specialty chemical sales.
Identify and lead technical solutions to problems within the R&D function and lead significant technical initiatives.
Define technical requirements and equipment needs, and establish priorities and project goals with supervisors and project teams.
Develop laboratory methods; operate and maintain instrumentation; and communicate accurate, timely analytical results.
Critically evaluate, document, and present technical results, using an electronic laboratory notebook.
Attend, network, and present at key conferences and provide technical support at conferences and customer meetings as needed.
Work with global cross-functional teams to develop and commercialize new products.
Build and maintain relationships with research, R&D, sales, and marketing stakeholders.
Report U.S. R&D activity to global sales and R&D teams.
Generate ideas for unexplored applications and product offerings and develop intellectual property in metalworking fluids and industrial lubricants.
Mentor and develop less experienced R&D team members.
Travel as needed.
Adhere to safety, health, and environmental procedures.