The Company
EcoSynthetix engages in the development, manufacture, and commercialization of bio-based technologies to replace petroleum-based industrial products. Located in Burlington, Ontario, our head office and Centre of Innovation is home to our product development, applications testing laboratories and our state-of-the-art pilot plant. We are seeking to add to our dynamic team of professionals who share a passion for developing and commercializing sustainable, bio-based chemistries and polymers. The successful incumbent will have the opportunity to develop and implement some of the industry’s most innovative green chemistry.
The Position
Reporting to the Research and Development Manager for New Markets, the Senior Development Chemist is responsible for the design, execution, and implementation of product development projects focused in the area of bio-based polymers and chemistries for various industrial applications. These projects will expand the EcoSynthetix portfolio offerings and strengthen the EcoSphere® biolatex® binder, DuraBindTM engineered biopolymer and EcoMer® technology platforms.
Key Responsibilities
- Develops novel bio-based polymers and chemistries for paper coating, building products, personal care and other industrial applications
- Develops and implements new methods and processes for the manufacture and characterization of bio-based polymers
- Translates customer needs into product development projects
- Plans and executes laboratory and pilot plant research projects
- Supports the technology transfer from laboratory and pilot plant to commercial scale
- Writes or assists in writing and submission of patent applications
- Keeps abreast of pertinent new developments and patents and provides executive summaries and comments with regards to strategic impact and direction
- Presents original research data at industry meetings, writes scientific papers for publication in peer-reviewed journals
- Directs the activities of technicians engaged in development projects
Position Requirements
- Ph.D. in Chemistry
- Experience in an industrial research environment with a minimum 4 years’ experience
- Strong practical experience combined with a deep fundamental understanding of a broad range of polymer chemistries such as polyols, isocyanates, polyurethanes, carbohydrates emulsions and other functional polymers
- Track record of executing fundamental chemistry research from idea generation to commercialization
- Combined experience with at least one or more of the following industrial applications; wood and natural fiber composites, nonwovens, textiles, paper coating and surfacing materials
- Experience with carbohydrate analysis such as HPLC and other chromatography techniques, mass spectrometry, GPC etc. would be beneficial
- Experience with reactive extrusion processes would be highly desirable
- Demonstrated ability to move from high level concept to detailed execution
- Strong problem-solving skills and proven project management skills
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including report writing
- Alignment to our company culture demonstrating a high degree of; curiosity, humility, courage, innovation, judgment, and passion for driving new ideas to commercialization
- Effective team player, with the ability to be independent
- Proficient with computer applications (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
If this sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you. To join our team, email us your resume and cover letter to: HR@EcoSynthetix.com.