Research Technologist

At GAF, we cover more than buildings. We cover each other. No matter what role, tenure, or track, under this roof you are empowered to be there for your teammates, your customers, and especially your community. We define the future while leading the present and own our opportunities. We protect what matters most.

We are seeking a highly skilled and hands‑on Research Technologist to lead the operational, mechanical, and experimental activities in our Research & Development facility. If you are an insatiably curious problem‑solver who loves to design and build lab equipment to prove concepts, troubleshoot complex systems, and drive groundbreaking R&D, this is the role for you.

• Reports on experimental data and is able to interpret results. Provides results in distilled formats and can explain to a broad range of functional stakeholders.
• Responsible for trial preparation, sample generation, testing including equipment set up, operation, and troubleshooting.
• Manages sections of the R&D labs, ensures all calibration and maintenance is done correctly, establishes safety procedures.
• Develops new and complex lab procedures for producing material and testing samples.
• Proactively searches for improvements and better methods. Monitors process conditions, makes real‑time control system adjustments, and identifies opportunities for plant and process optimization.
• Has a strong practical knowledge of several key product lines; prepares written reports on projects.
• Participates in cross‑functional teams and may represent R&D on smaller projects.
• With guidance from a professional level Scientist/Engineer who defines the broader problem to solve, the technologist independently delivers successful results.
• Works from a broad direction and manages own resources and time.
• Leads a phase or key part of work by performing experiment design, planning, and execution.
• Operates all instruments and equipment used by the immediate team. Is also an expert in most other equipment and processes used within R&D.
• Acts as the key experimental resource for the R&D team; manages tasks in support of department goals and laboratory inventory, including procurement of specialized hardware, chemical reagents, and process gases.
• Often may be a team leader and/or represent R&D at project meetings.
• Awareness and knowledge of equipment capabilities in other labs.
• Trains plant and other personnel in new techniques.
• Provides input on new equipment and instrumentation.
• Generates samples using advanced equipment. Manages the safe handling, heating, and processing of highly viscous materials (such as asphalt/bitumen), including the transfer of hot fluids and operation of heavy‑duty pumps, high‑shear mixers, calorimeters, and industrial chillers.
• Designs experiments, analyses data, and plans and executes projects. Collects, records, and analyzes experimental data using advanced data acquisition software and Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS). Maintains meticulous records of equipment maintenance, calibration logs, and experimental procedures.
• Guides activities of other technicians.
• Impact of actions is significant to the project team and is recognized by relevant cross‑functional stakeholders as an experimental expert. Collaborates closely with Principal Investigators (PIs), scientists, and process engineers to design experimental matrices and translate research goals into physical lab setups.
• May be an engaged member of a project team led by another functional area (e.g., quality, marketing) bringing general expertise and work product to that effort.
• Interacts with plant technical staff on project work.
• May occasionally work through other technicians.
• Identifies and implements new concepts to improve efficiency of projects.
• Applies creativity to revise/improve complex experimental processes and procedures.
• May lead a workstream on a product/process development project.
• Networks within R&D and working groups.
• Contributes to product design and/or process optimization.
• Develops and makes presentations internal to GAF that enable critical project decisions.
• Presents information in an organized, clear, and meaningful way.
• Communicates…