Surfactant Applications Research Chemist

Sasol•Lake Charles, LA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

Support applications-focused research and development activities at Sasol’s Lake Charles site, emphasizing surfactant-based systems and alignment with global business strategies and objectives for profitable growth. Develop, formulate, and test new surfactant-based and specialty chemical products, including products for Pulp & Paper applications. 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. The role supports research projects addressing the technical objectives of the research group, including Pulp & Paper and applications testing across end-use markets that use surfactants and alcohols. With support from the manager, the chemist develops and executes technical projects aligned with assigned application-area needs, leads significant technical initiatives, and manages multiple projects simultaneously. The position demonstrates the feasibility of technical solutions to known problems and issues within the research group and project teams. The chemist uses key laboratory instrumentation and standard techniques, executes complex procedures reliably, and independently conducts laboratory experiments safely. Responsibilities include maintaining Sasol equipment, generating and communicating reliable, properly documented data, recording results in electronic laboratory notebooks and research reports, and presenting findings at group meetings and departmental seminars. The role also involves attending, networking, and presenting at key conferences; interacting with customers, the manager, group members, and other local research groups; and maintaining relationships with stakeholders in the research group, Lake Charles R&D, global R&D, sales, and marketing. The chemist must understand Sasol’s intellectual-property procedures and appropriately record laboratory results for potential intellectual-property development. Travel may be required as needed.

Requirements

Ph.D. in Chemistry preferred, or a master’s or bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or another physical science.
Experience requirement: Ph.D.; alternatively, a master’s degree with 5 years of experience or a bachelor’s degree with 10 years of experience.
Hands-on experience, ideally including surfactant systems, alcohols, and derivatives.
Familiarity with working in a laboratory.
Strong commitment to safety.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, and ability to work with instruments that have computer interfaces.
Effective interpersonal skills for working with internal and external customers.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
R&D project management experience, including planning, initiating, and running projects to completion with necessary interaction with R&D, Marketing and Sales, and customers.
Solutions-driven approach.
Customer-focused approach.
Must be work-authorized; Sasol will not sponsor, obtain, or petition for temporary visa status for candidates or personnel hired for this position.

Nice To Haves

Ph.D. in Chemistry is preferred.
Hands-on experience with surfactant systems, alcohols, and derivatives is ideal.

Responsibilities

Support applications-focused R&D activities at the Lake Charles site, with emphasis on surfactant-based systems and alignment with global business strategies.
Develop, formulate, and test new surfactant-based and specialty chemical products, including products for Pulp & Paper applications.
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.
Support research projects addressing the research group’s technical objectives, including Pulp & Paper and applications testing in end-use markets using surfactants and alcohols.
Develop and execute technical projects aligned with assigned application-area needs, with support from the manager.
Lead significant technical initiatives and handle multiple projects simultaneously.
Demonstrate the feasibility of technical solutions to problems and issues identified within the research group and project teams.
Use key laboratory instrumentation and standard techniques, reliably executing complex procedures.
Independently set up and conduct laboratory experiments safely.
Maintain Sasol equipment and generate, document, and communicate reliable data.
Record results in electronic laboratory notebooks and research reports, and present key findings at group meetings and departmental seminars.
Attend, network, and present at key conferences.
Interact with customers, the manager, group members, and other local research groups.
Develop and maintain stakeholder relationships across the research group, Lake Charles R&D, global R&D, sales, and marketing.
Follow Sasol procedures for securing intellectual property and appropriately record laboratory results for potential intellectual-property development.
Travel as needed.