Ashland
Junior Polymer Chemist – Specialty Additives
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Ashland Specialty Ingredients, GP
Ashland has an exciting opportunity for a Junior Polymer Chemist to join our Specialty Additives business at our Wilmington, DE location. This is a very visible, significant role within the Company and the R&D function. This position will report to Senior / Staff Scientist for Specialty Additives Wilmington lab.
Responsibilities
Plan & execute EP reactions (batch/semi batch/starve fed) in lab reactors; set up pre emulsions, feeds, and initiator dosing; manage temperature profiles and exotherms
Screen process additives (surfactants/emulsifier packages, protective colloids, defoamers, buffers, chain transfer agents, redox initiators) to determine effective dosage windows and process robustness
Operate equipment: glass/stainless reactors, feed pumps, temperature controllers, nitrogen purging, filtration; follow SOPs for start up/shut down and cleaning
Characterize latexes: solids, particle size/PSD (e.g., DLS), viscosity, pH, coagulum/filterable solids, zeta potential/stability; as needed, residual monomer (e.g., GC), Tg (DSC), gel fraction
Analyze & document: maintain lab notebook/spreadsheets; ensure traceable raw data, calculations, and observations; write concise summaries and slides
Collaborate & communicate with senior scientists on experimental design, DOE screens, and scale up handoffs; deliver results on time
Lead with EHS & quality: chemical hygiene, PPE, waste handling, 5S, and risk controls for hazardous monomers and peroxides
Actively contribute to the organizational goals by taking initiative, executing on goals and focusing on performance and safety
Improve the organization capacity and capabilities through building collaborative relationships, optimizing diverse talent and utilizing positive communications and influence with others
Qualifications
A Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials/Polymer Science or equivalent years of experience
2–5 years experience in polymerization, organic chemistry, or specialty chemicals
Familiarity with reaction operations (mixing, feeds, temperature control), emulsions/colloids, and basic data analysis; strong organization and attention to detail
Effective teamwork and communication with a constructive, learning mindset
Demonstrated responsible and ethical behavior at all times
The ability to help the company drive greater value through understanding the business, making complex decisions and creating the new and different
Preferred Skills
Hands on emulsion polymerization (lab or pilot scale) for acrylic, styrene acrylic, VAE, or related systems
Practical use of latex characterization tools (DLS/particle size, zeta potential, solids, viscosity, coagulum) and analytical (GC for residual monomer, DSC for Tg)
Exposure to DOE/statistics (e.g., Minitab/Design Expert) and reproducibility planning
Comfort with SOPs/EHS for hazardous monomers and peroxides; good lab housekeeping
Understanding of coating systems and additive functions in waterborne systems (wetting/flow & leveling, defoaming, dispersion, rheology)
Equal Opportunity Employer Ashland is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled/Gender Identity/Sexual Orientation. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. NOTE: We do not accept resumes from external staffing agencies or independent recruiters for any of our openings unless we have a signed recruiting agreement in place to fill a specific position.
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Ashland Specialty Ingredients, GP
Ashland has an exciting opportunity for a Junior Polymer Chemist to join our Specialty Additives business at our Wilmington, DE location. This is a very visible, significant role within the Company and the R&D function. This position will report to Senior / Staff Scientist for Specialty Additives Wilmington lab.
Responsibilities
Plan & execute EP reactions (batch/semi batch/starve fed) in lab reactors; set up pre emulsions, feeds, and initiator dosing; manage temperature profiles and exotherms
Screen process additives (surfactants/emulsifier packages, protective colloids, defoamers, buffers, chain transfer agents, redox initiators) to determine effective dosage windows and process robustness
Operate equipment: glass/stainless reactors, feed pumps, temperature controllers, nitrogen purging, filtration; follow SOPs for start up/shut down and cleaning
Characterize latexes: solids, particle size/PSD (e.g., DLS), viscosity, pH, coagulum/filterable solids, zeta potential/stability; as needed, residual monomer (e.g., GC), Tg (DSC), gel fraction
Analyze & document: maintain lab notebook/spreadsheets; ensure traceable raw data, calculations, and observations; write concise summaries and slides
Collaborate & communicate with senior scientists on experimental design, DOE screens, and scale up handoffs; deliver results on time
Lead with EHS & quality: chemical hygiene, PPE, waste handling, 5S, and risk controls for hazardous monomers and peroxides
Actively contribute to the organizational goals by taking initiative, executing on goals and focusing on performance and safety
Improve the organization capacity and capabilities through building collaborative relationships, optimizing diverse talent and utilizing positive communications and influence with others
Qualifications
A Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials/Polymer Science or equivalent years of experience
2–5 years experience in polymerization, organic chemistry, or specialty chemicals
Familiarity with reaction operations (mixing, feeds, temperature control), emulsions/colloids, and basic data analysis; strong organization and attention to detail
Effective teamwork and communication with a constructive, learning mindset
Demonstrated responsible and ethical behavior at all times
The ability to help the company drive greater value through understanding the business, making complex decisions and creating the new and different
Preferred Skills
Hands on emulsion polymerization (lab or pilot scale) for acrylic, styrene acrylic, VAE, or related systems
Practical use of latex characterization tools (DLS/particle size, zeta potential, solids, viscosity, coagulum) and analytical (GC for residual monomer, DSC for Tg)
Exposure to DOE/statistics (e.g., Minitab/Design Expert) and reproducibility planning
Comfort with SOPs/EHS for hazardous monomers and peroxides; good lab housekeeping
Understanding of coating systems and additive functions in waterborne systems (wetting/flow & leveling, defoaming, dispersion, rheology)
Equal Opportunity Employer Ashland is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled/Gender Identity/Sexual Orientation. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. NOTE: We do not accept resumes from external staffing agencies or independent recruiters for any of our openings unless we have a signed recruiting agreement in place to fill a specific position.
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