Advanced Scientist - Digital Printing

General SummaryWe have a great opportunity for an Advanced Scientist to join the Global Research & Development (R&D) organization for our Digital Print business supporting the Inkjet platform.Informed by important market needs and new trends, you will develop waterborne product prototypes through your ability to connect structure/property fundamentals with novel product functionality.Your mindset for identifying problems and creating solutions will fuel a “reason to believe” for the novel functional benefits to be provided by Michelman materials in a way which will help accelerate the growth of the inkjet segment.Excellent problem-solving skills and creativity will be essential to your success as they will allow you to quickly screen new technologies and materials for fit both with the market and with Michelman. Further, it will be essential that you develop a strong collaborative network with other groups including sales, technology, marketing, and manufacturing teams to convert those novel concepts into successful product platforms.The successful candidate will become go-to resource of a dynamic technology team focused on developing new coating products to support the inkjet packaging market and support their end use application.Primary ResponsibilitiesCollaborate with sales and marketing to develop problem statements based both on trends in the market and on latent customer needsLead in the development of new application-centric solutions to be enabled by Michelman technologies within the Digital Print teamDesign new (and sometimes complex) product development experiments to be conducted at the lab scale – either by you or by othersBuild a working knowledge of coatings application methods and performance tests which will enable the development of new conceptsDevelop new product prototypes by iteratively preparing lab scale batches for evaluation and testing them against market-relevant success criteria/controls Document thoroughly and accurately all experiments, analyses, and testing resultsEnsure timely delivery of project-related information/results to company partnersPlan, initiate, and execute projects using the Michelman project management processProvide reports (written and verbal) on technical results/conclusions to business and technology leadershipBuild an effective collaboration with the global technical team to foster a culture of idea exchange and knowledge transferMultiply your individual expertise by drafting effective and easily-understood user guidelines for Michelman’s products – both as “application ready” solutions and as additives to be formulated with other materialsProvide technical support for customer trialsLead internal discussions to ensure that colleagues remain up-to-date on relevant product/application issues Maintain a clean and safe work environmentPerform related duties as assigned or as the situation dictatesCritical Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, and AbilitiesExcellent analytical and observation skillsPractical experience developing waterborne products, additives, and/or formulations for Inkjet printing (primer and coating) applicationsDemonstrated track record of innovation, technology scouting, and/or process/product prototyping is highly desirableBasic understanding of the range of substrates to be coated in digital printing applications and the methods used to apply coatings to themExperience with stage-gate project management and the types of documentation required by that processAgility/flexibility to adapt to changing business priorities and to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously Ability to develop new laboratory methods as needed to address technical challenges and train others (as needed) in their effective useStrong interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal)Education and ExperienceBachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Polymer/Materials Science, or related field and at least five (5) years relevant experience. Advanced degree preferredPractical experience developing waterborne materials and/or formulated products a plusOtherAble to travel by car or plane to visit customers when neededRole may on occasion require long periods of standing and/or an extended work scheduleRole may require heavy lifting from time to time (as much as 50 lbs. to waist level)Role will demand appropriate use of PPE - including safety shoesNote: The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to the job. They are not construed to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.About MichelmanMichelman is proud of the values-focused work environment that we have crafted. We pride ourselves in our focus on our values of integrity, respect, and success. With our dedication to your technical and professional growth in addition to our rigorous onboarding experience, we guarantee that you will find yourself challenged in new ways. We offer an excellent salary, incentive, and benefits package in a dynamic, empowered team environment.Michelman is a global developer and manufacturer of environmentally friendly advanced materials for industry, offering solutions for the coatings, printing & packaging, and industrial manufacturing markets. The company’s surface modifiers, additives, and polymers are used by leading manufacturers around the world to enhance performance attributes and add value in applications including wood and floor care products, metal and industrial coatings, paints, varnishes, inks, fibers, and composites. Michelman is also well-known as an innovator in the development of barrier and functional coatings, as well as digital printing press primers that are used in the production of consumer and industrial packaging and paper products, labels, and commercially printed materials. Michelman serves its customers with production facilities in North America, Europe, and Asia, product development and technical service centers in several major global markets, and a worldwide team of highly trained business development personnel.No phone calls, please. Michelman does not hire individuals who use tobacco products. All candidates will receive a drug test prior to beginning employment which will include a test for tobacco products.For more information about Michelman, please visit is Michelman, Inc. policy to seek and employ qualified persons in all jobs in a manner which will ensure equal employment opportunity as well as administer personnel actions in a manner as to not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation or disability. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Job SummaryRequisition Number: SCIEN001812Job Category: Research \& DevelopmentSchedule: Full-Time