Senior R&D Chemist

Job Title: Chemist – Solvent-Based Pigment Dispersions

Job Description

This chemist role focuses on developing, optimizing, and supporting solvent-based pigment dispersions used in automotive and industrial coatings. You will work hands-on in the lab with dispersing and milling equipment, support production scale-up and troubleshooting, and gradually grow into a leadership position with responsibility for guiding 1–2 chemists. The position offers a clear succession path, extensive training from a highly experienced senior chemist, and long-term career stability in a collaborative, process-driven environment.

Responsibilities

• Utilize lab-scale dispersing and milling equipment to prepare solvent-based pigment dispersions for internal use in automotive and industrial coatings.
• Formulate and refine pigment dispersions to meet specific performance and quality requirements for internal customers.
• Prepare, validate, and document lab-scale prototype batches using paper lab notebooks and standard documentation practices.
• Measure and analyze viscosity, solids content, particle size, and color using standard laboratory instrumentation, including colorimeters.
• Use prepared dispersions to formulate paint samples and test panels for internal stakeholders.
• Partner closely with production teams on-site to troubleshoot dispersion and coating issues and provide timely technical support.
• Collaborate with internal technical groups across global sites to share best practices and resolve complex dispersion challenges.
• Support manufacturing scale-up trials, providing technical feedback, process optimization recommendations, and root-cause analysis when issues arise.
• Produce clear internal reports and technical documentation that summarize test methods, results, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Apply a strong understanding of organic chemistry principles to optimize dispersion stability, performance, and processing behavior.
• Safely handle paints, solvents, and chemicals in accordance with established safety procedures and good laboratory practices.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and 5S-compliant laboratory and production support workspace.
• Manage multiple priorities and internal customer requests while meeting project timelines and quality expectations.
• Engage in continuous learning and knowledge transfer from senior technical staff to build deep expertise in pigment dispersion and coatings.
• Gradually transition into a chemist / group leader capacity, providing day-to-day technical guidance and support for 1–2 chemists over time.
• Demonstrate a hands-on, proactive approach, stepping in wherever needed to ensure project and production success.
• Communicate effectively with global stakeholders and internal customers, providing clear updates, explanations, and recommendations.

Qualifications

• 5 years of hands-on pigment dispersion experience, specifically with solvent-borne dispersions.
• Proven experience milling dispersions using ceramic beads in horizontal mills, vertical mills, and basket mills.
• Strong understanding of organic chemistry principles as applied to pigment dispersions and coatings.
• Experience working with solvent-based systems; waterborne-only experience is not sufficient for this role.

This is a Permanent position based out of Lansing, IL.

The pay range for this position is $57000.00 - $117000.00/yr.

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This is a fully onsite position in Lansing,IL.

This position is anticipated to close on May 1, 2026.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:

• Hiring diverse talent
• Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
• Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
• Ensuring growth opportunities for our people

Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we’ve helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC—with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000 extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.

Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.

Salary : $57,000 - $117,000