R&D Chemist II

Business Overview

MACDERMID ALPHA ELECTRONIC SOLUTIONS 

Through the innovation of specialty chemicals and materials under our Alpha, Compugraphics, Electrolube, Kester, and MacDermid Enthone brands, MacDermid Alpha Electronics Solutions provides solutions that power electronics interconnection. We serve all global regions and every step of device manufacturing within each segment of the electronics supply chain. The experts in our Semiconductor and Assembly Solutions, Circuitry Solutions, and Film and Smart Surface Solutions divisions collaborate in design, implementation, and technical service to ensure success for our partner clients. Our solutions enable our customers’ manufacture of extraordinary electronic devices at high productivity and reduced cycle time. MacDermid Alpha is a business unit of Element Solutions Inc (NYSE: ESI). Element Solutions Inc is a leading specialty chemicals company whose businesses supply a broad range of solutions that enhance the products people use every day. 

FILM & SMART SURFACE SOLUTIONS (F&SSS)

We are Film & Smart Surface Solutions (F&SSS) and currently active in more than 50 countries. Our main production location is in the UK, with plans in place to realise a second production location in Asia. Our R&D and Technical centres are already in all three territories, Americas, Asia and Europe.

Our target for the F&SSS division is to become the market leader in the in-mold electronics space for the automotive industry.  It capitalizes on emerging trends in human-machine interfaces, displays and in-mold electronics. The division combines our extensive offering of speciality films for the industrial and automotive industries with our developing portfolio of flexible and formable conductive and non-conductive inks.  The combination of these products with our in-depth materials and process expertise enables our customers to create formed, structurally rigid three dimensional automotive controls and displays that are at the forefront of modern cockpit aesthetics and functionality. This is a unique opportunity to be part of our journey.

Job Purpose

An R&D Chemist is responsible for work in R&D projects, both independently and in collaboration with other R&D personnel, and often as a collaborating member of a cross-functional team.

Product development work will be the major focus, with raw material qualification, QC method development, and production issue troubleshooting expected to occupy a minority proportion of the team’s work. 

The mission of the Chemist is to develop new products and processes as dictated by business needs, conducting sophisticated chemical research quickly, cost effectively, and safely.

Maintaining alignment with high R&D standards as well as with Product Management priorities for development is essential.  

The position will be located in our Wantage, UK facility, and will report to an R&D Senior Supervisor at the site. 

Job Responsibilities

• Creativity and the ability to innovate is a key requirement for this position.  An individual with strong interdisciplinary research experience / focus is desirable.
• Maintaining detailed records of research activities, documenting work sufficiently to support the acquisition of patent protection of new technology.  This includes both laboratory notebooks as well as Technical Memoranda.
• Maintaining and safeguarding confidential information regarding products, processes, and techniques.
• Utilizing scientific knowledge in product development including but not limited to: analytical instrumentation, organic and inorganic chemistry, polymer and materials science, nanotechnology, and formulation chemistry. 
• Travel to vendor, co-supplier, or manufacturing sites as required. 
• Ensuring compliance with letter and spirit of all safety regulations for MEIS employees and any contractors involved in on-site activities. 

Requirements & Qualifications

Minimum of a Master’s degree with 2-3 years of industrial experience, or equivalent in a relevant technical field (Chemistry, Physics, Chemical Engineering, etc.)

Skills

• Experience with solvent-borne coating formulations is desired (paints, optical or protective coatings).
• Ability to report on the progress of complex projects, and to meet deadlines.
• Ability to extract technical information via scientific literature search to support formulation and product developments.
• Ability to use statistical methods to design and analyze the results of complex experimental programs.
• Ability to work across functional areas and to gather and maintain information.
• Team player who collaborates well with other technical colleagues.
• Ability to collaborate with external vendors to keep projects on track and on schedule is a plus.
• Expertise with Microsoft Office applications is required.  Experience with DOE and statistical analysis software (e.g. Minitab) would be advantageous.
• Experience in fluid dynamics would be advantageous.

Competencies

A Flexible approach is required as long hours may be required for production and customer trials.

Education

Benefits

We value our employees and offer a comprehensive and industry leading range of benefits which include:

• 24 days holiday (plus Bank Holidays) – increasing with service
• Annual bonus of up to 7% of salary
• Private medical insurance
• Healthcare Cash Plan and Employee Assistance Programme
• Life assurance
• Company pension scheme with enhanced contributions
• Subsidised on-site canteen
• Free on-site parking

EEO Statement

MacDermid is an E-Verify Company and provides reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in job applicant procedures. "Equal Opportunity Employer: Minority/Female/Veteran/Disabled/Gender Identity/Sexual Orientation"