Senior Scientist – Dispersion
| Company | Axalta |
|---|---|
| Location | Philadelphia, PA, USA |
| Salary | $Not Provided – $Not Provided |
| Type | Full-Time |
| Degrees | Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD |
| Experience Level | Senior |
Requirements
- BS, MA, or Ph.D. in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field
- Minimum 3+ years of experience in pigment dispersion formulation, coatings development or coatings-related experience
- Minimum 5 years of hands-on technical experience will be considered in lieu of an advanced degree
- Strong knowledge of pigment chemistry, surfactants, and dispersion mechanisms
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, TEAMS, PowerPoint, and Excel
Responsibilities
- Manage formulation programs and related R&D projects focused on pigment dispersions
- Formulate and develop pigment dispersions for use in coatings, ensuring optimal stability, color strength, and performance
- Investigate new pigment dispersion technologies and raw materials to enhance formulation efficiency
- Characterize and evaluate dispersions using rheological, particle size, and stability testing methods
- Optimize dispersion processes to improve efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness
- Lead project teams that build new product platforms and formulating practices using innovative materials developed internally and/or through external partners
- Translate customer ‘wants’ and product performance gaps into technical product specifications, defining critical tests to relate coating properties to end-use performance criteria
- Work collaboratively with cross-functional teams including R&D, manufacturing, application specialists, and quality control
- Troubleshoot dispersion-related issues in existing and new formulations
- Stay up to date with industry trends, technologies, and regulatory requirements
- Summarize and present findings to management, suppliers, and external customers
- Understand and contribute to expanding Axalta’s intellectual property estate through innovation
- Assist in the design of experiments, conduct experiments independently, and collect, summarize, and present data
- Provide technical guidance to laboratory technicians, ensuring proper execution of experiments and maintenance of lab equipment
- Ensure a safe working environment, including proper handling, categorization, and disposal of chemicals
Preferred Qualifications
- Familiarity with dispersion equipment (e.g., bead mills, high-shear mixers) and characterization techniques (e.g., rheology, particle size analysis, spectroscopy)
- Familiarity with coatings applications in automotive, industrial, or architectural sectors
- Supervisory experience leading technicians
- Knowledge of spraying, printing, and other coating application processes
- Project management experience and familiarity with the Stage-Gate process