What are the responsibilities and job description for the R&D Scientist - Aerosols position at Rust-Oleum?
Solving challenges is the very foundation of who we are. After all, in the beginning, our founder, sea captain Robert Fergusson, didn’t particularly care about paint. When he founded our company in 1921, he just wanted to keep his ship intact and stumbled upon a valuable solution. Today, that discovery is Rust-Oleum Corporation.
The same passion that drove the Captain to spend his next few years creating the world’s first rust-preventative paint still drives us today. When we see a problem, we work diligently until we’ve perfected a solution, which has led to some of the most cutting edge, durable and innovative products in the industry. Our creative and talented team of over 2000 people across every corner of the world, help us remain the global leader in protective paints and coatings for both home and industry.
As our R&D Scientist you will be to innovate, scale up, and commercialize existing and new cost-effective quality technology by contributing technical expertise to the corporate planning process, quickly responding to market opportunities, and defending the corporation against competitive threats.
Technology Competency:
The R&D Scientist candidate will demonstrate and apply the following skills to their work.
- Strong understanding of Scientific Methodology. Hypothesis driven research and problem-solving capability using experimental design, data analysis and documentation.
- Coating Chemistries: alkyd, acrylic, epoxy, urethane, phenolic, polyaspartics and sil(ox)anes etc.
- Coating Formulation Science: Lead the design, development, and optimization of aerosol coating formulations, including paints, sprays, and specialty coatings for various consumer applications both solvent borne and waterborne
- Utilize in-depth knowledge of aerosol technology, including propellant systems, valve systems, and spray mechanisms, to develop high-performance products.
- Analytical science and material science with an emphasis on structure-property relationship
Technical Leadership:
- Ability to develop and implement project plans and timelines while managing multiple high level projects. Measuring progress and providing updates in alignment with marketing
- Demonstrated capability of becoming a vocal and influential voice in project planning and deliverables together in collaboration with a cross functional team
- Ability to make strategic decisions (technical and staff utilization) and influence leaders and scientist to execute those initiative while managing business strategy and value creation
- Outstanding technical skills, interpersonal communication, and presentation skills. The R&D Scientist must demonstrate and apply the following skills.
- Drive product innovation by researching and integrating new raw materials, technologies, and methodologies into aerosol formulations to enhance performance, durability, and user experience.
- Proven track record of identifying, researching and prototyping innovative ideas.
- Address and resolve complex formulation and application challenges, including issues related to stability, compatibility, and application efficacy
- Continuous learning and intimate awareness of open literature and competitive landscape
- The R&D Scientist works to assist in the allocation of resources towards initiatives by working with the leadership team to identify long term platform strategies
- The R&D Scientist demonstrates the ability to have influence in decision making and a demonstrated ability to communicate with project stakeholders and cross-functional teams, leadership and the external scientific community
Organization Leadership:
The R&D Scientist should exhibit the following attributes:
- Agility to respond to emerging business needs with strong management of change skills
- Builds strong partnerships internally within R&D, internal functions (marketing, manufacturing, sourcing, etc.) and externally (vendors, customers, etc.)
- Manage high stakes and challenging situations with all levels of the organization
- Assess the organizational processes and develop new processes to improve efficiency and quality
- Demonstrate strong career ambition - potential to become a top leader
- Strong business acumen
Education Guidelines
- BS in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials, or other equivalent scientific field required
- MS or PhD strongly preferred