Senior Scientist

Role details

Title:

Senior Scientist - Department Manager Membrane Team

Department/Job ID:

Research and Development

Reports To:

Vice President, R&D

Direct Reports (if any):

N/A

Job Overview:

The Senior (Sr.) Scientist is a member of the R&D management team and is responsible for managing the membrane team. This includes the direction of the membrane research as well as the personnel responsibility of the membrane team. The Sr. Scientist plays a significant role in initiating ideation and experimental design and executes independently.

Role: Department Management

• Responsible for performance management, recruiting talent, training, and supervision of the team members assigned to the department
• Developing and Planning Research Projects for the department in line with overall R&D and Corporate goals
• Execute R&D projects in membrane-based separation technologies in accordance with the company's strategic plan for biomimetic membranes
• Support the VP of R&D in budgeting and cost control for the department
• Ensure that all team members understand and follow Vandstrom policies
• Support competitive benchmarking activities as needed to support product development objectives
• Manage project plans for designated R&D activities
• Develop strategic relationships with partners (academics, research institutes, etc.) to permit collaborative development activities and leverage outside resources to further the company’s research and development goals

Role: IP Support

• Support the creation of a comprehensive IP strategy in the field of membrane technology to ensure a competitive advantage for the company
• Maintain an understanding of competitive IP from academics and other technologists in the areas of the company’s focus.
• Research and implement appropriate testing methodologies to support membrane-related IP activities

Role: Scale-up and Production Support

• Research and implement appropriate testing methodologies to support consistent membrane production and appropriate quality control
• Collaborate with Tech-transfer and engineering team to design and produce prototype elements of new products for internal and external evaluation
• Support the procurement and sourcing of raw materials and the evaluation of additional suppliers

Role: Commercial

Support

• Follow and remain current on academic and commercial activities in the marketplace for membrane and separation technology
• Ensure participation in technical conferences and publication in recognized journals

Other duties as assigned

Requirements:

• Advanced degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science or related fields. A Ph.D. is preferred.
• Track record of successfully managing scientific personnel involved with complex research activities.
• Willingness and ability to continuously develop leadership skills
• At least five years of working experience in membrane R&D roles, preferably in an industrial environment
• Documented understanding of surface chemistry and coating strategies, preferably on porous substrates
• Experience in membrane fabrication processes, including the non-solvent induced phase separation process and the interfacial polymerization process.
• Proficiency in surface characterization techniques as well as membrane and polymer characterization, such as HPLC, TEM, SEM, FTIR, NMR, and UV-VIS

Additional Qualifications:

• Experience with roll-to-roll coating technology preferred
• Effective communicator in both verbal and written forms
• Ability to successfully implement new technologies in challenging markets
• Critical thinker
• An excellent listener; interpersonally engaging at all levels so as to build a rapport with people in all parts of the organization
• Ability to wear PPE as needed
• Awareness of fire, safety, and chemical hazards
• Eligible to work in the U.S.