Sr. Researcher

Sr. Researcher

At Nouryon, our global team takes positive action every day, to reach higher collectively and individually. We create innovative and sustainable solutions for our customers to answer society’s needs – today and in the future. 

We are looking for team members who bring ideas forward, champion others and work together to do better. Does that sound like you? 

About the job

The Sr. Researcher position is an exciting opportunity for early‑career chemists who are eager to learn, experiment, and explore. You’ll join the Product Chemistry group and contribute to the design, synthesis, and characterization of polymers and surfactants that support new product development across multiple application areas.

Rather than expecting deep specialization on day one, we’re looking for someone with a curious mind, strong scientific fundamentals, and a passion for hands‑on experimentation. You’ll work closely with experienced scientists, gaining exposure to different business lines, product families, and customer needs.

As part of our rotational development experience, you’ll have the opportunity to explore multiple application fields, collaborate with cross‑functional teams, and build a broad understanding of how chemistry drives innovation across our portfolio.

This role is ideal for someone who wants to grow into a technical expert while contributing meaningful work from the start.

In your future role as Senior Researcher, you will

• Contribute to the design and execution of laboratory experiments that explore new polymer and surfactant structures aligned with customer and market needs, bringing a curious and proactive mindset to proposing ideas and testing hypotheses.
• Support the development and optimization of polymer structures and synthetic routes, including feasibility assessments and early‑stage scale‑up considerations, while learning from senior scientists and taking initiative to deepen your understanding.
• Participate in technology‑transfer activities by helping identify potential scale‑up risks and contributing chemistry‑based solutions as your experience grows.
• Provide hands‑on support to pilot‑plant or manufacturing teams during new product start‑ups, including assisting with troubleshooting and proactively flagging observations or deviations.
• Contribute to intellectual‑property generation through data packages, invention‑disclosure inputs, and creative problem‑solving.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional partners (applications, marketing, regulatory, analytical, operations) to understand how chemistry connects to product performance, customer needs, and business strategy—supported by rotational exposure across different application fields and product lines.
• Maintain high‑quality laboratory documentation and uphold strong safety and 5S practices, taking initiative to improve workflows and lab organization.
• Prepare clear, concise technical summaries and share results with project teams, building confidence in communicating scientific findings.
• Manage a mix of short‑term experiments and longer‑term research activities with increasing independence, demonstrating proactive ownership of your work and learning path.
• Travel occasionally (~10%).

We believe you bring

Education

Master’s or PhD in Chemistry

Experience

0–5 years of relevant experience

Competencies

Required

• Design and execute laboratory experiments to develop and characterize new polymer or surfactant structures
• Strong understanding of structure–property relationships and their impact on performance
• Support optimization of synthetic routes, including feasibility assessments and early-stage scale-up considerations
• Participate in technology transfer activities and understand how lab-scale chemistry translates to pilot plant and manufacturing environments
• Troubleshoot experimental challenges with guidance from senior scientists
• Collaborate cross-functionally with applications, analytical, marketing, regulatory, and operations teams
• Maintain high-quality laboratory documentation, safety practices, and 5S standards
• Prepare technical summaries and present findings to project teams
• Contribute to invention disclosures and intellectual property development
• Manage both short-term experiments and long-term research programs while developing project management skills
• Willingness to travel occasionally (~10%)

Preferred

• Experience with polysaccharides, siloxanes, silicon-based polymers, or surfactants
• Exposure to pilot plant or manufacturing environments
• Familiarity with structured project frameworks such as Stage Gate

Technical Skills

• Strong foundational knowledge in organic or polymer chemistry
• Hands-on experience with synthesis and characterization techniques including NMR, IR, GPC, GC, LC, MS, microscopy, and wet chemistry
• Ability to analyze data, draw conclusions, and communicate results effectively
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Curiosity, creativity, and interest in understanding how structure influences performance
• Willingness to learn from others and take on new challenges

Compensation Information

The hiring salary range for this position ranges from $88,000 to $125,600, although individuals may eventually progress through the pay scale in this role up to $144,440. Actual compensation will be dependent upon the specific role as well as the individual’s qualifications, experience, skills, and certifications. Hired applicant will be eligible to receive annual bonuses.

Employees (and their families) will be eligible for medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees are also eligible to enroll in our company’s 401k plan. Employees will also receive paid time off and the mandated company holidays throughout the calendar year.

Have we got your interest?
 

This is a permanent, onsite position on a full-time basis, reporting to the Section Manager- Product Chemistry and based in Bridgewater, NJ.  

Please apply via our online recruitment system. We will not accept applications via e-mail. Once it's with us we will review to see if we have a match between your skills and the role! For more information about our hiring process, visit: nouryon.com/careers/how-we-hire/  

We look forward to receiving your application! 

We kindly ask our internal candidates to apply with your Nouryon email via Success Factors. 

About Nouryon

Explore careers and life at Nouryon   

If you’re looking for your next career move, apply today and join Nouryon’s worldwide team in providing essential solutions that our customers use to manufacture everyday products such as personal care, cleaning, paints and coatings, agriculture and food, pharmaceuticals, and building products. Our employees are driven by the wish to make an impact and actively drive positive change. If that describes you, we will gladly make way for your ambitions. From day one we support you with your personal growth, through challenging positions and comprehensive learning and development opportunities, in a dynamic, international, diverse, and proactive working environment.

Visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn.  

#WeAreNouryon #GrowWithUs

We have already chosen our sourcing channels for this recruitment and kindly ask not to be contacted by any advertisement agents, recruitment agencies or staffing companies. 

Nouryon is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

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