Sr. Researcher

Nouryon•Bridgewater, NJ

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Sr. Researcher position is an exciting opportunity for early‑career chemists who are eager to learn, experiment, and explore. You’ll join the Product Chemistry group and contribute to the design, synthesis, and characterization of polymers and surfactants that support new product development across multiple application areas. Rather than expecting deep specialization on day one, we’re looking for someone with a curious mind, strong scientific fundamentals, and a passion for hands‑on experimentation. You’ll work closely with experienced scientists, gaining exposure to different business lines, product families, and customer needs. As part of our rotational development experience, you’ll have the opportunity to explore multiple application fields, collaborate with cross‑functional teams, and build a broad understanding of how chemistry drives innovation across our portfolio. This role is ideal for someone who wants to grow into a technical expert while contributing meaningful work from the start.

Requirements

Master’s or PhD in Chemistry
0–5 years of relevant experience
Design and execute laboratory experiments to develop and characterize new polymer or surfactant structures
Strong understanding of structure–property relationships and their impact on performance
Support optimization of synthetic routes, including feasibility assessments and early-stage scale-up considerations
Participate in technology transfer activities and understand how lab-scale chemistry translates to pilot plant and manufacturing environments
Troubleshoot experimental challenges with guidance from senior scientists
Collaborate cross-functionally with applications, analytical, marketing, regulatory, and operations teams
Maintain high‑quality laboratory documentation, safety practices, and 5S standards
Prepare technical summaries and present findings to project teams
Contribute to invention disclosures and intellectual property development
Manage both short-term experiments and long-term research programs while developing project management skills
Willingness to travel occasionally (~10%)
Strong foundational knowledge in organic or polymer chemistry
Hands-on experience with synthesis and characterization techniques including NMR, IR, GPC, GC, LC, MS, microscopy, and wet chemistry
Ability to analyze data, draw conclusions, and communicate results effectively
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Curiosity, creativity, and interest in understanding how structure influences performance
Willingness to learn from others and take on new challenges

Nice To Haves

Experience with polysaccharides, siloxanes, silicon-based polymers, or surfactants
Exposure to pilot plant or manufacturing environments
Familiarity with structured project frameworks such as Stage Gate

Responsibilities

Contribute to the design and execution of laboratory experiments that explore new polymer and surfactant structures aligned with customer and market needs, bringing a curious and proactive mindset to proposing ideas and testing hypotheses.
Support the development and optimization of polymer structures and synthetic routes, including feasibility assessments and early‑stage scale‑up considerations, while learning from senior scientists and taking initiative to deepen your understanding.
Participate in technology‑transfer activities by helping identify potential scale‑up risks and contributing chemistry‑based solutions as your experience grows.
Provide hands‑on support to pilot‑plant or manufacturing teams during new product start‑ups, including assisting with troubleshooting and proactively flagging observations or deviations.
Contribute to intellectual‑property generation through data packages, invention‑disclosure inputs, and creative problem‑solving.
Collaborate with cross‑functional partners (applications, marketing, regulatory, analytical, operations) to understand how chemistry connects to product performance, customer needs, and business strategy—supported by rotational exposure across different application fields and product lines.
Maintain high‑quality laboratory documentation and uphold strong safety and 5S practices, taking initiative to improve workflows and lab organization.
Prepare clear, concise technical summaries and share results with project teams, building confidence in communicating scientific findings.
Manage a mix of short‑term experiments and longer‑term research activities with increasing independence, demonstrating proactive ownership of your work and learning path.
Travel occasionally (~10%).