Americas

Advanced Scientist, Agricultural Coatings

Job Location: Americas

Job Category:

Job Schedule: Full Time

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General Summary

We are excited to offer an outstanding opportunity for an Advanced Scientist to join our Global Research & Development (R&D) team within the Agricultural Coatings segment.

Informed by important market needs and new trends, you will develop waterborne product prototypes through your ability to connect structure/property fundamentals with novel product functionality.

Your mindset for identifying problems and creating solutions will fuel a “reason to believe” for the novel functional benefits to be provided by Michelman materials in a way which will help accelerate the growth of the Agricultural Coatings segment.

Excellent problem-solving skills and creativity will be essential to your success as they will allow you to quickly screen new technologies and materials for fit both with the market and with Michelman. Further, it will be essential that you develop a strong collaborative network with other groups including sales, technology, marketing, and manufacturing teams to convert those novel concepts into successful product platforms.
Expect to become a go-to resource for your internal customers as it relates to optimizing coating performance in Agricultural Coatings end use application(s).

Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate with sales and marketing to develop problem statements based both on trends in the market and on latent customer needs
• Lead in the development of new application-centric solutions to be enabled by Michelman technologies within the agricultural coating technical team
• Design new (and sometimes complex) product development experiments to be conducted at the lab scale – either by you or by others
• Build a working knowledge of coatings application methods and performance tests which will enable the development of new concepts
• Lead the design, development, and optimization of seed coating formulations for synthetic, natural, and biodegradable polymer platforms
• Conduct hands-on lab work, including batch preparation, pilot-scale simulations, and film characterization (adhesion, abrasion resistance, drying time, etc.)
• Evaluate coating performance with treated seeds, including plantability, dust-off, active loading, and biological compatibility
• Document thoroughly and accurately all experiments, analyses, and testing results
• Ensure timely delivery of project-related information/results to company partners
• Plan, initiate, and execute projects using the Michelman project management process
• Provide reports (written and verbal) on technical results/conclusions to business and technology leadership
• Build an effective collaboration with the global technical team to foster a culture of idea exchange and knowledge transfer
• Partner with commercial and customer-facing teams to tailor solutions based on market needs and application methods
• Multiply your individual expertise by drafting effective and easily-understood user guidelines for Michelman’s products – both as “application ready” solutions and as additives to be formulated with other materials
• Lead internal discussions to ensure that colleagues remain up-to-date on relevant product/application issues
• Support external collaborations with academic institutions, industry partners, and key agribusiness stakeholders
• Maintain a clean and safe work environment
• Perform related duties as assigned or as the situation dictates

Critical Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong analytical and observation skills
• Practical experience developing waterborne products, additives, and/or formulations for agricultural applications
• Demonstrated track record of innovation, technology scouting, and/or process/product prototyping is highly desirable
• Solid understanding of polymer chemistry, film-forming behavior, and application methods for seed coating (rotary coater, fluidized bed, seed treater systems)
• Working knowledge of regulatory frameworks impacting seed coatings, such as Regulation 2023/2055, FIFRA, OECD standards
• Proven ability to lead technical projects and work independently while collaborating across disciplines
• Experience with stage-gate project management and the types of documentation required by that process
• Agile mindset to adapt to shifting business priorities and evolving technical challenges
• Ability to develop new laboratory methods as needed to address technical challenges and train others (as needed) in their effective use
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal)

Education and Experience

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Polymer/Materials Science, or related field
• Minimum five (5) years of relevant industrial experience, including at least three (3) years in seed coating or formulation technologies.
• Preferred qualifications include experience in:
  o biostimulant seed coatings, or
  o bio-based polymer for formulation development or controlled release applications, or
  o collaboration with major seed or agrochemical companies

Other

• Able to travel by car or plane to visit customers when needed
• Role may on occasion require long periods of standing and/or an extended work schedule
• Role may require heavy lifting from time to time (as much as 50 lbs. to waist level)
• Role will demand appropriate use of PPE - including safety shoes

Note: The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to the job. They are not construed to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.

About Michelman

Michelman is proud of the values-focused work environment that we have crafted. We pride ourselves in our focus on our values of integrity, respect, and success. With our dedication to your technical and professional growth in addition to our rigorous onboarding experience, we guarantee that you will find yourself challenged in new ways. We offer an excellent salary, incentive, and benefits package in a dynamic, empowered team environment.

Michelman is a global developer and manufacturer of environmentally friendly advanced materials for industry, offering solutions for the coatings, printing & packaging, and industrial manufacturing markets. The company’s surface modifiers, additives, and polymers are used by leading manufacturers around the world to enhance performance attributes and add value in applications including wood and floor care products, metal and industrial coatings, paints, varnishes, inks, fibers, and composites. Michelman is also well-known as an innovator in the development of barrier and functional coatings, as well as digital printing press primers that are used in the production of consumer and industrial packaging and paper products, labels, and commercially printed materials. Michelman serves its customers with production facilities in North America, Europe, and Asia, product development and technical service centers in several major global markets, and a worldwide team of highly trained business development personnel.

For more information about Michelman, please visit https://www.michelman.com/.

It is Michelman, Inc. policy to seek and employ qualified persons in all jobs in a manner which will ensure equal employment opportunity as well as administer personnel actions in a manner as to not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation or disability. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Michelman is an Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Females/Disabled/Veterans

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