Senior Scientist

About Us

Elementis is a global specialty chemical company, with 1,300 employees operating 17 manufacturing sites across the globe. At Elementis, we bring a distinctive combination of expertise, innovation, and teamwork to every formulation challenge. We create high-value specialty additives that enhance the performance of our customers' products and make a positive change in the world. Combining our leading positions in the science of materials flow, surface modification, and formulation with access to unique natural materials, Elementis delivers unique chemistry, sustainable solutions to customers in a wide range of markets, including cosmetics, anti-perspirants, decorative and industrial coatings, automotive and ceramics.

Job Description Summary

Provide analytical support for product development, product stewardship, technical service, innovation, and commercial operations as a member of the Analytical Services team. The scientist will be responsible for developing, validating, and executing analytical methods to determine the physical and chemical properties of substances, polymers, formulations, and finished products. This role involves generating reliable analytical data, interpreting results, troubleshooting technical issues, and supporting manufacturing and innovation activities through the application of chromatography, spectroscopy, thermal analysis, particle characterization, and wet chemistry techniques.

Job Description

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, validate, and perform analytical methods to support product development, manufacturing, technical service, and product stewardship activities.

• Analyze samples, interpret data, and prepare clear technical reports and presentations for internal and external customers.
• Support investigations related to product performance, quality concerns, customer issues, raw material evaluations, and manufacturing challenges.
• Apply analytical techniques to characterize substances, polymers, formulations, and finished products.
• Perform chromatographic analyses using HPLC, GPC/SEC, GC, and GC-MS to evaluate product composition, impurities, and material properties.
• Support the identification of unknown materials, contaminants, and degradation products using chromatography, mass spectrometry, and spectroscopic techniques.
• Conduct wet chemistry analyses including titrations, sample preparation, standardization, moisture determination, acid/base analysis, and other routine chemical characterization techniques.
• Perform thermal characterization of materials using techniques such as Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) to evaluate thermal transitions, stability, composition, and degradation behavior.
• Conduct particle characterization testing including particle size distribution analysis using laser diffraction and other particle measurement techniques.
• Utilize spectroscopic and materials characterization methods including FTIR, XRD, XRF, and NMR as required.
• Assist with troubleshooting analytical and quality control issues to support manufacturing and commercial operations.
• Coordinate analytical testing through internal laboratories and external contract research organizations (CROs) as needed.
• Maintain analytical databases, laboratory records, standard operating procedures, and quality systems.
• Ensure laboratory instruments are properly maintained, calibrated, qualified, and operating efficiently.
• Contribute analytical expertise to innovation projects, new product development, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams including R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Technical Service, Regulatory, Product Stewardship, and Commercial Operations.

Job Competencies

Action orientated: Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy and enthusiasm.  Plans and aligns: Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.  Drives results: Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstances. 

Decision making

The ideal candidate is a task-focused self-starter with the authority to make decisions related to analytical priorities, experimental approaches, project execution, resource utilization, and recommendations for technology investments that support the analytical department.  

Additional Job Description

Technical Knowledge and Skills

• Strong understanding of chemistry, analytical instrumentation, and laboratory practices.
• Experience with analytical method development, execution, troubleshooting, validation, and data interpretation.
• Working knowledge of analytical equipment and techniques such as:
  • HPLC
  • GPC/SEC
  • GC and GC-MS
  • FTIR
  • XRD
  • XRF
  • NMR
  • DSC
  • TGA
  • Particle Size Analysis
  • Wet Chemistry and Titration Techniques
• Ability to characterize materials and support identification of unknown compounds, impurities, and contaminants.
• Experience generating analytical data and preparing technical reports and scientific documentation.
• Prior experience working in an industrial, product development, quality control, or analytical laboratory environment.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and work effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment.

Position Requirements

Education: M.S. or Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Chemistry, Materials Science, Polymer Science, Forensic Science or a related scientific discipline preferred. Experience: 2+ years of work experience in the chemical industry is preferred.  IT Skills: Basic proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel and Outlook email communication Language Skills: English.  Working arrangements: Full time, site based at SciPark, East Windsor, New Jersey.  Traveling required: None.  Hazmat certification course: Provided by Elementis annually

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Elementis does not discriminate in hiring or in the terms and conditions of employment because of an individual's race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, arrest record, citizenship or other category protected by federal, state or local laws.  

If you are an individual with a disability in need of assistance at any time during our recruitment process, please contact us at [email protected].    Please note: This email is reserved for individuals with disabilities in need of assistance and is not a means of inquiry about positions or application status.    EEOC Poster