Purpose: Reporting to the Technical Director, the Associate Chemist will perform chemical testing procedures required to develop new products, review, and maintain quality control and assurance of products, and will mix, monitor, test, and balance a variety of chemicals according to specified procedures and protocols at our R&D Coatings Division (A division of UW Solutions).

The Duties and Responsibilities Of The Associate Chemist Will Include

• This position is a full-time exempt position with focus on the wood, flooring, and energy curable system markets.
• The basic function of the Associate Chemist is to provide technical solutions for energy curable products, air dry curing systems, and stains products for the company’s Technical Department. This position shall be responsible for the development of newly formulated products and the improvement of existing products. This includes formulation work, raw material selection, and complete characterization required for the development of the company’s product and technical services.

Specific Responsibilities

• Research new technologies that apply to company product development. Maintains awareness of advancements in technology and advises the company as to impact and relevance
• Provides customer support of chemistry & performance issues to Technical Service Staff
• Develops and approves specifications & quality control limits of all raw materials that will be used in the manufacturing of all new company products. Documents specification in company software. Provides reports and documents detailing project processes, results, and conclusions; recommends additional actions or research
• Performs formulation work required to develop new products and reformulation of existing products. Provides feedback, test results, and data regarding the formulation process and recommends modifications to formulas
• Evaluates and approves raw material offsets
• Responsible for Customer Support projects assigned by Sales or Management
• Maintain a lab book and related databases as a means of documenting and providing a written record of testing procedures and observations
• Tries to be involved with supply chain issues to understand historical perspectives and decision-making process
• Serves as a team member for projects and provides professional technical support to product development, quality control, manufacturing processes, and technical customer service

General Responsibilities

• Continually learn more about the product and those application techniques, methods and processes that meet the needs of prospective end-users
• Learn or possess a working knowledge for energy curable systems with emphasis on wood substrates.
• Learn or possess a working knowledge of water-based air-dried pigmented system for wood applications.
• Strive to maintain conversance with the product’s physical properties, chemical composition, manufacturing considerations, difficulties, and costs
• Maintain a close working relationship with all company departments and their members
• Demonstrate and promote the concept and advantages of being internally cooperative while externally competitive
• Actively support all Company policies, with special attention to safety, health, personal bias, and poor conduct issues
• Participate and fully support the company Quality System and any other activities necessary to support the management and effective functioning of the company
• Attend and participate in all Company-wide meetings, customer coating trials, lectures, and events
• Ability to understand SDS information and compose all necessary documentation for any new product developed
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Educational/Job Requirements

• 1-2 years of related experience with preference in the coating development market or Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited institution
• Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point)
• Familiar with color and color matching software
• Familiar with formulation ERP systems, Batchmaster software is a plus

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer and standing and working in a laboratory environment.
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.
• Exposure to various chemicals and compounds.
• Excellent mathematical skills.
• Understanding of chemical tests and processes.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills.

EEO Statement

UW Solutions and R&D Coatings is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.