Silica Research Chemist / Engineer

PPG Industries

(Monroeville, Pennsylvania)
Full Time Travel Required
Job Posting Details
About PPG Industries
At PPG, we work every day to develop and deliver the paints, coatings and materials that our customers have trusted for more than 130 years. Through dedication and creativity, we solve our customers’ biggest challenges, collaborating closely to find the right path forward. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, we operate and innovate in more than 70 countries. We serve customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets.
Summary
The research chemist/engineer plays a leading role in designing and accelerating the commercialization of new silica technologies for the rubber industry, with a primary focus on tire applications. He/she will be part of a team that will initially focus on commercializing new silica technologies that bring value to formulations which incorporate the wide variety of polymers (e.g., SSBR, BR, NR), resins, and other additives used in the tire industry, expanding the scope of this development work as appropriate to encompass projects that support growth for the entire rubber segment. The successful applicant will be expected to build off these commercialization efforts to develop additional candidate filler materials to continue to maintain the development / commercialization pipeline. The ability to supervise others in these efforts is required. In this role the successful applicant will be required to specify, organize and/or develop appropriate testing of release candidate materials and stay abreast of cutting edge developments in the area of predictive testing for tire and other rubber applications. Additionally, the applicant will be expected to possess and leverage a wealth of knowledge in materials engineering and/or chemistry with a particular emphasis on filler technologies and recommend appropriate inventions to balance physicochemical properties of compounds for tire and other rubber end-uses.
Responsibilities
* Plan and conduct experiments to generate new candidate filler materials relevant to the rubber industry with a particular emphasis on Statistical Design of Experiments * Organize and develop appropriate testing of candidate materials according to relevant industry parameters * Support commercialization efforts by working with project managers and technicians to address performance of composites * Identify resources and opportunities to improve data output and expand technologies into new end uses * Plan and conduct experiments as part of a team that will advance initiatives in tire-related applications * Work with business personnel to develop or understand value propositions for internally developed technologies * Utilize knowledge of industry to assist multifunctional team in addressing unmet needs * Interface with customers, suppliers and plant personnel as appropriate * Maintain and/or further develop relationships with other relevant industry additive and/or equipment suppliers to further develop “win/win” situations * Maintain and/or further develop partnerships with universities and/or institutes to assist in candidate filler materials idea generation as well as further enhance predictive testing capability
Ideal Candidate
The successful candidate will have experience in all aspects of rubber manufacturing including, but not limited to, rubber mixing, compound testing and post internal mixer processing of rubber compounds. He/she must demonstrate a proven track record of commercializing technologies involving polymers used throughout the rubber industry, especially the tire industry, and possess an understanding of what performance parameters are generally required. He/she must have strong customer interfacing skills and the flexibility to work independently when required without step-by-step direction while maintaining a highly collaborative team environment. Must be able to travel up to 25%, domestic and international. **Experience and Education** Ph.D. in materials science, engineering or chemistry or in a closely related discipline and/or an equivalent combination of education and/or work experience is desired. A minimum of 10 years relevant experience in an R&D role or other appropriate technical position within the rubber industry is required; tire industry experience is highly desired. Filler know-how with a particular emphasis on precipitated silica and use in rubber is required. Demonstrable experience with polymers used in the tire industry, including latest generation functionalized polymers, as well as resins and other additives is also desired. The ability to document working a project from screening through the commercialization pipeline is critical. A high degree of professionalism, excellent communication and presentation skills are required. Must have the ability to work with minimal direction. **Functional and Technical Skills** Must be able to work with commercial, manufacturing, and other internal technical personnel, and also be able to interface effectively with customers at a technical level. Computer literacy in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Microsoft Project is required. The ability to evaluate rubber compounding data is a must. He/she must be able to always convey a professional image both to internal PPG as well as with the customers and suppliers.

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