Senior Scientist

The Senior Scientist is responsible for leading and conducting scientific research including generating ideas, designing experiments, collecting, and interpreting data, and providing strategic insights to ensure that NGC maintains leadership in the building products market.

This role carries a focus on joint compounds, plaster, and related wet-applied and finishing systems.
We welcome candidates whose depth comes from adjacent paste- and slurry-based formulation fields — such as cement-based mortars and finishing systems, paints and coatings, adhesives and sealants, concrete admixtures, or other calcium sulfate / gypsum products — and who are eager to channel that expertise into joint compound and plaster.

They will play a key role in the identification and improvement of current processes and products as well as introduction and scale-up of new products/technologies that would be valuable to NGC. The incumbent shall work closely with the manufacturing team, vendors, and other allied partners to provide detailed analysis of existing products with a focus on performance improvement and sustainability. The ability to communicate and collaborate effectively and adherence to NGC core values during daily work is imperative.

• Generate, lead, and conduct impactful research that expands the existing technology envelope, with particular emphasis on joint compound and plaster formulation, rheology, and performance.
• Plan and design scientifically rigorous experiments; collect, analyze, and interpret data providing conclusions, highlighting risks, issues, and opportunities.
• Contribute to innovation and development of new products, technologies, laboratory techniques and test methods and foster information sharing.
• Develop and/or adapt test methods to quantify physical properties of new or existing products. Supervise witnessed test programs and edit the reports for technical accuracy.
• Collaborate with various functions across the organization to achieve project objectives.
• Stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and scientific literature; establish a detailed knowledge of competitive products and systems, their performance characteristics, and strengths and weaknesses compared to NGC — including the competitive joint compound, plaster, paints, and coatings landscape. This includes attending relevant industry trade shows (Coatings show, etc.) to stay close to emerging technology and materials.
• Effectively communicate technical activities, results, guidance, and support (both verbally and in writing) to all levels within the company and outside the company when required.
• Lead and mentor junior staff by providing training and supporting their professional development.
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory and safety requirements.
• Ensure strategic alignment to Pro Form’s business unit objectives when it comes to current and future innovation needs and prioritization — working together with the business unit to develop a robust innovation pipeline that is sustainable.
• Drive the path from ideation to commercialization — knowing and understanding process or equipment limitations. Work with the business unit to develop the capital or technical discipline needed to accomplish this.
• Serve on technical committees as needed (example — Drywall Finishing Council).
• Embrace and integrate AI tools to solve formulation or innovation needs in the drywall finishing space to accelerate time from conception to implementation.

Competitive Salary, with a general salary range of $ to $ or higher depending on education and experience.

Relocation assistance eligible.

• Comprehensive benefits to include:
• Medical
• Vision
• 401(k) with employer match
• Retirement Account
• Fertility Services
• Adoption Assistance
• Paid Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Life Insurance
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
• Flexible spending accounts
• Wellness Program with medical premium incentives

National Gypsum Company, headquartered in Charlotte, NC, is the exclusive service provider of reliable, high-performance building products marketed under the Gold Bond®, Pro Form® and PermaBASE®…