Senior R&D Chemist

Job Description

A global chemicals and coatings company are looking for a Senior R&D Chemist to join their team near Edinburgh.As a Senior R&D Chemist you will be synthesising and developing various novel products to support various technical and development projects whilst providing line management or product development support to the R&D team.To be considered for this role you will hold a degree in Chemistry or related subject and hold previous experience in the development of coatings in a leadership role or looking for a leadership role as a further step in your career.Responsibilities:The job role is split into 4 main areas; Product Development, leadership, training/mentorship and communication and relationship development: Product Development

• Effectively achieves objectives using their own initiative
• Under the direction of their manager, plans, progresses and reports product and process development at all levels in line with agreed business strategy whilst meeting project specifications and SHE objectives.
• Ensures all project data is recorded, interpreted and reported to inform and aid overall project direction.
• Establishes the root cause of problems and devises appropriate solutions
• Performs supporting literature searches and experimental work to permit evaluation of new products and selection of new processes.
• Demonstrates and utilises expert knowledge to increase the intellectual property of the company

Leadership

• Provides technical leadership and expert technical advice to R&D team
• Significantly contributes to the direction of the team
• Takes the initiative and motivates others
• Devises and maintains laboratory equipment, operating and planning systems to provide timely delivery of projects.
• Ensures all company and legislative SHE requirements are met; contributes to SHE initiatives and driving improvements.
• Provides line management to other team members as assigned.

Training and mentorship

• Acts as a technical expert, advisor and mentor
• Transfers knowledge and skills effectively
• Coaches and positively influences others within the team, providing appropriate development and training for others to achieve high professional standards

Communication and relationship development

• Communicates effectively both internally and externally as agreed by their line manager.
• Liaises with Production Technology, other Plant functions, suppliers and toll manufacturers to further product development and site new products as appropriate.
• Builds persuasive arguments with experimental data for presentation to stakeholders and customers to support new product development.
• Provides technical support for external interactions with FSIS, toll manufacturers, material suppliers, Research Institutes and Universities as appropriate.

Qualifications:Essential

• Degree in Chemistry or similar.
• 5+ years experience in R&D or relevant post graduate degree with industrial experience
• In depth knowledge of Lab SHE/Quality Systems.
• Excellent data interrogation and presentation skills
• Training and mentoring capabilities
• Experience of leading projects

Desirable

• Expert technical knowledge or specialist skill to assist business progression
• Knowledge and understanding of the RxD process or related dispersion technology
• Awareness of emerging technologies/developments in inkjet dispersions and trends in relevant market sectors
• Knowledge of scale up processes
• Experience of liaising with suppliers and toll manufacturers
• Working knowledge of manufacturing SHE/quality systems.
• People management experience
• Experience of Hazard and Operability studies
• Ability to provide manufacturing shift support if the business requires it.