Development Chemist

Job description

About the Role:

Keen to kickstart your R&D career and make a real impact? Join us as a Development Chemist within the Coil Coatings R&D team in Sunshine, Melbourne! In this dynamic full-time entry-level lab-based role where you’ll be at the forefront of product innovation—formulating, testing, and refining coil coating solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers across the South Asia region.
You’ll play a central role in shaping the performance and reliability of our products, work closely with senior technical staff and cross-functional teams, contributing to the development of high-performance coatings that protect and enhance metal surfaces in demanding environments. Your work will directly impact how our coatings perform in real-world environments—from industrial rooftops to architectural panels.

What will you be doing?

* Formulate and evaluate coil coating products tailored to the specific needs of the South Asia market. This includes developing new recipes, adjusting existing formulations, and rigorously testing them for durability, adhesion, corrosion resistance, and aesthetic quality. You’ll use both lab-based testing and field exposure data to refine your work.
* Deliver medium to long-term R&D projects in alignment with strategic business goals. These projects may involve developing next-generation coatings with improved environmental profiles, such as low-VOC or high-solids formulations, or enhancing product performance to meet evolving customer and regulatory requirements.
* Optimize raw materials and formulations by evaluating new suppliers, testing alternative ingredients, and balancing performance with cost-efficiency. For example, you might assess a new resin system that improves UV resistance while reducing production complexity.
* Participate in customer visits and product scale-ups, both locally and internationally. You’ll work closely with commercial and technical teams to understand customer needs, present technical findings, and support the transition of lab-scale formulations to full-scale manufacturing.
* Conduct site visits to natural and corrosion exposure locations—including overseas test sites—to gather long-term performance data. These insights are critical for validating product claims and guiding future development.
* Write comprehensive technical reports that clearly document your findings, conclusions, and recommendations. These reports will serve as a foundation for internal decision-making and external product documentation.
* Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including production, quality assurance, procurement, and supply chain, to ensure the smooth introduction of new or modified products. You’ll help troubleshoot issues, align on specifications, and support continuous improvement initiatives.
* Provide technical service support to the regional commercial and technical teams. Whether it’s answering a customer’s question about product compatibility or helping resolve a field issue, your expertise will be key to maintaining trust and satisfaction.


What You Will Bring:

* A Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Polymer Science, or a related field.
* Experience in the industrial coatings or chemical manufacturing industry preferred but not essential.
* Excellent communication, interpersonal, and technical writing skills.
* Strong problem-solving and project management capabilities.
* Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project).
* Ability to discern colour and evaluate visual performance.
* A full driver’s license and willingness to travel interstate and overseas as needed.


What We Can Offer:

* Career Pathway and Training: We're a global company committed to helping you achieve your career goals. You'll have access to training and development opportunities that open doors to your future.
* Company Culture: Experience a dynamic and inclusive culture that values innovation and collaboration.
* Performance Bonuses: You can earn more with performance bonuses on top of your base salary!
* Health and Wellbeing: Your health matters to us. Take advantage of free flu vaccinations, counselling services, and online support through our Employee Assistance Program.
* Exclusive Discounts: Enjoy exclusive discounts on HP products, discounted private health insurance with Bupa, as well as special corporate rates for car rentals through Avis, saving you money on essential purchases and travel expenses.
* Looking for more benefits? Join us to find out more…


Apply Today!

If you're ready to take the next step in your R&D career and contribute to the future of coil coatings, we want to hear from you. Join us in shaping the future of AkzoNobel and the coatings industry.

Desired profile

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About AkzoNobel Pty Ltd

AkzoNobel has a passion for paint. We're experts in the proud craft of making paints and coatings, setting the standard in color and protection since 1792. Our world class portfolio of brands - including International, Sikkens and Interpon - is trusted by customers around the globe. Headquartered in the Netherlands, we are active in over 150 countries and employ around 34,500 talented people who are passionate about delivering the high-performance products and services our customers expect.