Scientist III - Material Scientist (Inorganic/Cement Chemistry)

About us

Master Builders Solutions is a global brand of advanced chemical solutions for construction. Our comprehensive portfolio includes sustainable concrete admixtures and underground construction solutions. We constantly strive to solve tomorrow’s challenges through our talented people, sound science, innovation, and communication with our global partners. We provide innovative solutions to satisfy industry demand for specific structure strengths while understanding the need for sustainability and environmental consciousness.

Role Overview

We are seeking a highly skilled and innovative Ph.D. materials scientist or inorganic chemist with a strong foundation in inorganic materials chemistry to join our R&D team. This role is critical for advancing the development of chemical admixtures for novel cementitious materials, optimizing existing formulations, and contributing to sustainability and performance improvements in construction materials. The ideal candidate will bring deep knowledge of cement chemistry, clinker composition, hydration mechanisms, and admixture interactions.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead the design, synthesis, and evaluation of advanced cementitious systems, including portland cement, blended cements, calcined clay, natural pozzolans, and other supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), and geopolymers
• Conduct fundamental research on hydration reactions, phase development, and microstructural evolution in cement-based materials
• Analyze raw materials and formulated products using XRD, SEM, TGA, DSC, FTIR, ICP-OES, and other characterization techniques
• Develop and test new admixtures and additives to improve performance attributes such as strength, setting time, durability, and workability
• Collaborate with product development, quality assurance, and manufacturing teams to scale up and implement formulations
• Maintain comprehensive laboratory records, analyze data, and present findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
•  Monitor industry trends and contribute to technical publications, patents, or conference presentations.
• Prepare accurate data summary reports for both internal and external customers
• Follow all appropriate Environmental Protection, Safety, Health (EHS) policies.

Knowledge and Experience

Education

• Ph.D. in Cement Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Materials Science, or a closely related field, strongly preferred.
• In-depth understanding of cement hydration chemistry, clinker phase chemistry, and pozzolanic reactions
• Industrial or postdoctoral experience in cement, construction materials, or inorganic binders is preferred

Experience

• Experience with characterization techniques relevant to cementitious systems
• Experience with process modeling, thermodynamics software (e.g., GEMS, FactSage), or cement simulation tools is preferred

Knowledge/Skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to design and execute independent research
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills in multidisciplinary environments
• Effective verbal and written communication are required
• Background in low-carbon embodied CO2 cements, alkali-activated materials, or alternative binders is preferred
• Familiarity with standards such as ASTM, EN, or ISO related to cement and concrete is preferred

Work Environment

This job operates in a laboratory environment.  Based on the job description, the role will use standard office equipment and equipment as specified in the laboratory to perform experiments and analyses for the company.  All employees will be expected to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.  For this role, work hours will fall within the standard office operations hours, which are Monday to Friday from 8:00am-5:00pm.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to work at a lab bench, stand, sit, and walk.  

Master Builders Solutions is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, expression, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or other memberships protected by federal, state or local law.