Scientist - Tape and Label Job

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Job description

About Bostik, an Arkema company
Bostik is a leading global adhesive specialist in construction, consumer and industrial markets. For more than a century, it has been developing innovative adhesive solutions that are smarter and more adaptive to the forces that shape daily lives. From cradle to grave, from home to office, Bostik's smart adhesives can be found everywhere. With annual sales of €2 billion, the company employees 6,000 people and has a presence in more than 50 countries.

Scientist: Tape & Label, Americas Region

Situation in organization

Reporting to Tape & Label Research & Development Manager, North America. Part of an R&D team that includes others in various roles such as product development chemist, technical service engineer, and lab technician.

Job dimensions

• Build a comprehensive understanding of Bostik HMPSA Tape & Label product line including formulation, raw materials, physical properties, analytical properties, bond performance, manufacturing, application methods, and end-uses.
• Develop knowledge about the Tape & Label market and end use applications, especially with regards to sustainability including the different approaches (recycling compatible, compostable, bio-based), where they can be used, the test methods used to validate suitability, and the regulatory bodies and/or trade organizations governing certification.
• Manage multiple research and technology and/or new product development projects of moderate to high complexity within the Stage Gate Process, interacting effectively with other internal functional groups including supply management, product line management, PSRA/EHS, manufacturing, and sales, to bring successful solutions to market.

Activities

• Lead new product development projects from Concept to Commercialization within the Bostik Stage Gate Process.
• Interact with internal and external customers to identify needs/opportunities that can form the basis for projects.
• Conduct background research on project concept via technical literature to establish a feasibility test plan.
• Define viable formulating paths to investigate with consideration for freedom to practice and future patentability.
• Demonstrate feasibility with laboratory experimentation including lab mixes, coating, and relevant testing.
• Develop solutions that meet design criteria, confirming conclusions with Design of Experiment and statistical analysis.
• Work with outside trade associations and testing facilities to achieve relevant sustainability and other certifications.
• Assist technical service and sales in beta testing at customers and support manufacturing in scale-up at the plant.
• Submit invention disclosures for novel developments and provide data to establish broad patentability.
• Prepare and present Stage Gate documents for periodic updates and Gate Reviews according to the defined process.
• Support supply security by identifying and validating alternate sources of supply for raw materials.
• Work with plant personnel to identify root cause and provide disposition for non-conforming materials.
• Provide effective training on adhesive technology to internal and external customers together with technical service.
• Comply with lab requirements for documentation of results in appropriate systems and databases.
• Operate safely according to Bostik's policies and procedures and take an active role in lab 5S compliance.

Context and environment

Development of new product solutions would be done using a comprehensive approach, with an understanding of company strategy, awareness of market needs, recognition of regulatory requirements, consideration for raw material supply availability, knowledge of key performance parameters, comprehension of analytical structure/property relationships, consciousness of application processes and end-use, and cognizance of manufacturing capabilities.

Purpose

Support the Arkema Corporate Social Responsibility Strategy and Bostik Sustainable Technology Roadmap by leading product development of sustainable HMPSA solutions. Sustainable projects within the Tape & Label PSA portfolio would cover various approaches including recycling compatible, compostable, and bio-based adhesives. Project scope could include both research and technology development as well as downstream new product development.

Qualifications / experience required

• PhD in Material Science or Polymer Chemistry, or other relevant technical field; OR BS in Chemistry, Material Science, Chemical Engineering or related field with 5 or more years of relevant industry experience.
• Experience in pressure sensitive adhesive formulation, especially hot melt pressure sensitive adhesives.
• Experience of fundamental structure/property relationships within polymer formulations.
• Systematic approach to problem solving.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully manage projects and work across functional groups in a matrix organization
• Effective communicator of complex concepts, thoughts and ideas verbally and through reports and presentations
• Understands and uses experimental design, data synopsis and interpretation as well as basic statistical analysis
• Takes responsibility for personal safety and operates in compliance with safety policies and procedures
• Proficiency in MS Office including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and Teams
• Ability to travel up to 25%, interacting with customers, suppliers, allied suppliers and internal stakeholders

Company Description:

Building on its unique set of expertise in materials science, Arkema offers a portfolio of first-class technologies to address ever-growing demand for new and sustainable materials. With the ambition to become in 2024 a pure player in Specialty Materials, the Group is structured into three complementary, resilient and highly innovative segments dedicated to Specialty Materials - Adhesive Solutions, Advanced Materials, and Coating Solutions - accounting for some 80% of Group sales, and a well-positioned and competitive Intermediates segment. Arkema offers cutting-edge technological solutions to meet the challenges of, among other things, new energies, access to water, recycling, urbanization and mobility, and fosters a permanent dialogue with all its stakeholders. The Group reported sales of €8.7 billion ($9.7 billion) in 2019, and operates in 55 countries with 20,500 employees worldwide.