Research Scientist I

Company Introduction

Over 90 years of quality products and superior service.

Job Summary

Intermediate-level R&D scientific position where the incumbent is recognized within their R&D group as a key contributor or can contribute immediately. The successful candidate will be a productive, hands-on researcher with capabilities to understand the scientific principles involved in a product platform and can contribute improvements.

Essential Duties

60% Design and conduct experiments using materials science principles to provide technical direction for research projects and to provide analytical service to our stakeholders. Contribute to driving R&D projects to commercial fruition.

20% Drive pilot and production scale-up activities in support of commercialization of products and processes

10% Develop new and revised test procedures to address needs of R&D, operations, and the customer

10% Perform other duties as assigned

Level Based Competencies

• Earning Trust
• Communication
• Continuous Improvement
• Initiating Action
• Innovation
• Applied Learning
• Adaptability
• Quality Orientation
• Work Standards
• Driving Execution
• Safety Focus
  
  

Technical Knowledge / Skills

• Strong chemistry and engineering skills (intermediate)
• Uses standard DOE principles to set up and analyze experiments (intermediate)
• Able to use SPC data to progress in trouble-shooting (intermediate)
• Laboratory safety and understanding of OSHA and MSHA requirements (intermediate)
• Knowledge in product quality tests and product requirements versus specifications (intermediate)
• Capable of refining and reducing to practice patentable/trade secret ideas and concepts (intermediate)
• Learns and utilizes electronic laboratory notebook software (intermediate)
• Required to become familiar with a product line, SGI businesses, scale up processes (intermediate)
  
  

General Knowledge / Skills

• Effective verbal and written communicator (intermediate)
• Highly proficient in spreadsheet, document, and presentation applications (advanced)
• Prioritizes projects and tasks based on assigned project priorities (intermediate)
• Analysis & problem solving skills (intermediate)
• Collaborative and team-building skills (intermediate)
  
  

Leadership / Supervision

• Provides technical direction for several smaller projects
• Normally receives general direction on key and larger projects, especially at project onset
• Could be providing technical service for key product lines
• Must work with functional resources to achieve goals
• Manages own time and capable of managing technician flow
• Adherence to performance review and goal setting process
• Proactively seeks guidance from other team members when needed
• Good ability to apply feedback received for process improvement
• Required to give formal technical progress/project reports to R&D and management
  
  

Education / Experience

• BS in Chemistry, Materials Science, or other chemical/engineering disciplines, with 2-4 years of relevant experience or 3-6 years of other industrial laboratory / R&D experience
  
  

Dimensions

No. of direct reports: 0

No. of indirect reports: N/A

Travel requirements: Domestic up to 10%

Working conditions: Primarily industrial R&D laboratory and office setting, requiring eye, hearing, hand, foot, and respiratory PPE. Occasional duties at manufacturing locations may be performed in enclosed facilities and/or outdoor areas where extremes of heat, cold, dust, noise, wet conditions and rough terrain exist

Physical requirements: Computer, MSHA / OSHA, lifting objects up to 40 lbs., extended or irregular hours, bending, kneeling, stooping

Specialty Granules LLC offers exciting opportunities for professional growth, and generous benefits, including family health, vision, dental, and family-building benefits. Our employees are offered a generous 401K program, including an employer match contribution with your pre-tax and/or Roth contributions from your first day as an employee. We also offer additional programs including a generous tuition reimbursement program. Employees are also provided paid leave options, including vacation, sick, paid holidays, and volunteer time off.

Base salary and/or rate of pay ranges listed are exclusive of fringe benefits and potential bonuses. Individual compensation offers will be determined based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to geographic location, relevant candidate experience and skill, education, and/or qualifications.

Base Salary Range: $76,000-$104,500

At Specialty Granules LLC , we believe our employees are our greatest resource. We offer competitive salary, benefits, and vacation package for all full-time permanent positions.

Must be eligible to work in the U.S. without need for employer-sponsored visa (work permit). If you are currently an SGI employee, please do not apply here. Please apply through the "Jobs Hub" section, which can be accessed under your Apps in Workday.

SGI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is committed to a policy of equal treatment and opportunity in every aspect of our recruitment and hiring process, regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. SGI complies with federal, state, and local disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact HR Services at 833-HR-XPERT.