Polymer Characterization Scientist – Size Exclusion Chromatographer (Finance)

Ashland Specialty Ingredients, GP

Are you the kind of person that is always thinking, sketching, seeking, and adjusting? Who needs to understand how things work and then figure out how they can work better? Are you a passionate, tenacious, solver who loves to work with others who share your drive? Are you positive, constructive, and ingenious?

Are you always solving?

Then we'd like to meet you and bet you'd like to meet us.

Ashland has an exciting opportunity for a Polymer Characterization Scientist to join our Measurement Science Team in Global R&D at our Wilmington, DE research center. This specialized role focuses on using Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) as a primary tool for analyzing polymers. This involves expertise in method development, sample analysis, data interpretation, and troubleshooting within the realm of SEC. This is a very visible, significant role within the Company and the R&D function. This position will report to the Wilmington measurement science team lead.

The responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• SEC Analysis and Characterization: Conducting a wide variety of SEC analyses to determine the molecular weight distribution, polydispersity, and potentially branching/architecture of polymers.
• SEC Method Development & Validation: Designing, executing, and optimizing SEC methods for various polymer types, ensuring optimal separation and accurate data. Developing and validating methods for different solvents, columns, flow rates, temperatures, and detection methods.
• Data Analysis & Interpretation: Analyzing SEC data to obtain parameters such as number-average molecular weight (Mn), weight-average molecular weight (Mw), and polydispersity index (PDI). Interpreting results to understand the polymer properties and behavior.
• Sample Preparation: Ensuring proper sample preparation procedures to prevent aggregation or degradation of polymers prior to SEC analysis.
• Troubleshooting: Identifying and resolving technical issues related to SEC instrumentation and methodology, including poor resolution, pressure fluctuations, or drifting baselines.
• Collaboration: Working closely with other measurement science and R&D, manufacturing, quality control, and external partners to address chemistry, materials and processing challenges.
• Documentation & Reporting: Maintaining meticulous records, creating detailed technical reports on SEC findings, and potentially preparing presentations for internal and external audiences.
• Staying Current: Keeping abreast of the latest advancements in SEC technology, including hyphenated techniques like SEC-MALS or SEC-NMR, and new column developments.
• Manufacturing troubleshooting and support: leveraging SEC technique for troubleshoot manufacturing and/or quality control challengers to ensure product consistency, quality and performance.

In order to be qualified for this role, the desired skills and experiences are:

• Ph.D. degree in Chemistry, Physics or Chemical Engineering, or MS degree with minimum of 3+ years of relevant experience.
• Thorough understanding of polymer molecular weight determinations, separation science as applied to polymeric materials, working knowledge of light scattering and colligative property measurements.
• Extensive experience with polymer solution thermodynamics and statistical mechanics .
• Proficiency in operating and maintaining SEC instruments, including solvent delivery systems, injectors, columns, and detectors (e.g., RI, UV-Vis, viscometry, and static/dynamic light scattering ).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills for interpreting SEC chromatograms and troubleshooting instrument performance issues.
• Proficiency in data collection, analysis, and interpretation using SEC software.
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) to effectively convey complex technical information to diverse audiences.
• The ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams to achieve research and development goals.
• Familiarity with laboratory safety protocols and regulatory standards, particularly concerning the handling of solvents and chemicals in the lab .

In more than 100 countries, the people of Ashland LLC. (NYSE: ASH) provide the specialty chemicals, technologies and insights to help customers create new and improved products for today and sustainable solutions for tomorrow. Our chemistry is at work every day in a wide variety of markets and applications, including architectural coatings, automotive, construction, energy, personal care and pharmaceutical. Visit www.ashland.com to see the innovations we offer.

At Ashland our vision is to be a leading, global specialty chemicals company whose inspired and engaged employees add value to all we touch. In fact our people, employees, customers and vendors define who we are. They are the driving force behind everything we do.

Not only do we value our customers but we value our employees, and we work to offer them a dynamic and challenging environment. We hold ourselves to high standards at Ashland, and we value integrity and honesty.

Ashland has a history of attracting the best people and keeping them. The reasons are simple: industry competitive salary and benefits, pay-for-performance incentive plans and a diverse work environment where employees feel challenged and valued. People come to Ashland and stay. As a growing Fortune 500 specialty chemicals company, we offer opportunities for development and advancement throughout our global organization. Our values define who we are and what we care about as a company. If you are looking for a relationship with a company instead of simply a job, this may be a great fit.

Ashland is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled/Gender Identity/Sexual Orientation.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. NOTE: We do not accept resumes from external staffing agencies or independent recruiters for any of our openings unless we have a signed recruiting agreement in place to fill a specific position.