Research Scientist I (Formulations)

Job description

General Information

Location:

·  City:Bristol, Pennsylvania
·  Country:USA
·  Region:North America

Job Category: Research & Innovation
Job Type: Regular
Type of Contract: Permanent
Working time: Full-time
Work schedule: Day shift

Solvay is a science company whose technologies bring benefits to many aspects of daily life. With more than 24,100 employees in 64 countries, Solvay bonds people, ideas and elements to reinvent progress. The Group seeks to create sustainable shared value for all, notably through its Solvay One Planet plan crafted around three pillars: protecting the climate, preserving resources and fostering better life. The Group’s innovative solutions contribute to safer, cleaner, and more sustainable products found in homes, food and consumer goods, planes, cars, batteries, smart devices, health care applications, water and air purification systems. Founded in 1863, Solvay today ranks among the world’s top three companies for the vast majority of its activities and delivered net sales of €10.2 billion in 2019. Solvay is listed on Euronext Brussels (SOLB) and Paris and in the United States, where its shares (SOLVY) are traded through a Level I ADR program.

Novecare develops and produces formulations that alter the properties of liquids. It offers solutions to the oil and gas industry using an extensive range of surface chemistries combined with applications expertise. Novecare also provide specialty solutions for certain industrial applications, agricultural, and coatings markets.

This is to invite applications for a Research Scientist I role working with a Technology Incubator at Solvay Novecare, Research and Innovation Center, Bristol, PA. Candidate must provide research support and expertise in the area of formulations development for innovative antimicrobial, cleansing and surface treatment products in the home care, institutional and health care markets.

Job Overview and Responsibilities

The ambition is a conceptual transformation in disinfection and cleaning of environmental surfaces in Consumer, Institutional, Food processing and Healthcare environment. Surface Disinfection has been recognized as an area that is critical for risk management against contamination and infection, as important as hand washing. Surfaces may have a localized concentration of pathogenic microorganisms. The multitude of surfaces that we touch, including devices and objects that are touched by many people, result in near perfect conditions for increased risk of infections. Current surface disinfection products available in the market provide microbial control only at the time of use (e.g. claims of >99.9% kill for bacteria and virus on labels). This research targets the next generation of hygiene solutions that would target reducing the spread of infectious diseases through long-lasting surface disinfection and cleaning and provide protection for 24 hours regulated performance and claim. Extending performance to a surface treatment that provides durable disinfection even after regular use over the next 24 hours, would need translation of innovative formulations to market applications which will significantly reduce risk and operational liabilities.

This multidisciplinary product formulations role leverages knowledge at the interface of chemistry and biology, in collaboration with microbiology, analytical, engineering, and regulatory teams for infection control targeting new application areas. 

Scope of Work

·  Working with senior scientists and support teams on formulation development and customer support and responding to customer briefs.
·  Formulating complex fluid mixtures for use in cleaning and disinfection. Preparation of compositions containing surfactants, additives,  solvents and various macromolecules, taking into account solution structure, film characteristics and durability.  
·  Responsibilities will include the use of  actives for formulating new products, 
·  Collaborate with microbiology and analytical teams to support execution of microbiology tests internally and in external facilities. Preparing samples for analytical work (extraction, dilutions).
·  Work on robotic platforms for high throughput screening of formulations development, DOE and phase behavior studies.  
·  Testing formulations according to EPA, ASTM and EU regulations including sample screening, preparation of substrate, test execution and data analysis. Designing and executing storage stability studies.
·  Assist in general upkeep and organization of laboratory and maintaining a detailed laboratory notebook. 
·  Presenting research findings at meetings. Collaborating with other Solvay teams to bring projects to fruition and contributing to IP. 
·  Actively contributing to Solvay’s safety culture. 

Education and Experience

·  Bachelor's Degree in Chemical, Chemical Engineering or Biological 
·  2 years of relevant experience related to the chemical, biological, or polymers sciences, preferably with some experience in home care, surface care, coatings, or thin films.
·  Relevant experience in Research & Innovation developing Homecare products, especially consumer products formulation with a keen interest in science, direct product development and qualification.
·  Experience with working on robotic platforms for high throughput formulations development and maintain electronic lab notebooks.

Skills

·  Skills in delivery systems such as sprays, flow coating tools, or wipes and performance parameters for providing the required film.
·  Proactive in analyzing and conducting industry benchmarking studies to understand position against competitive products in the market place.
·  Ability to condense and critically assess technology landscape, published patents and literature when approaching novel problems.
·  Manage multiple priorities around projects, meetings and coordinate actions.
·  Confident team player with ability to collaborate and influence supporting research teams to ensure efficient and timely project delivery. Track record of demonstrated focus on objectives and achieving them through teamwork.
·  Strong communication, presentation of project and lab results for internal and external stakeholders.
·  Experience working in a research/laboratory environment with appreciation for safety while working with chemicals. Creative mindset with good observation skills, and ability to formulate to meet test targets.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.