Research Scientist

POSITION SUMMARY

TPC Group is seeking a Senior Research Scientist with significant experience in Organic Chemistry to contribute to the design, synthesis, characterization, and application development of novel organic molecules and intermediates that create differentiated performance in fuel and lubricant additives, adhesives, sealants, coatings, polymer modification (CASE), and metalworking fluids.

This role is part of a collaborative R&D team that bridges fundamental chemistry and real-world applications, translating molecular innovation into measurable performance benefits in end-use systems. The successful candidate will have a natural curiosity while being a hands‑on laboratory scientist with strong analytical and materials characterization skills, a passion for understanding how chemistry drives product performance, and the ability to work across functions to bring ideas from concept to commercialization.

Demonstrated creativity and proactive approaches to identifying and creating value is a must. The successful candidate will demonstrate being a change agent and one who works with a sense of urgency, who is excited about problem solving and implementing technical developments.

• Participate in the design, synthesis, and optimization of new organic molecules and intermediates targeted toward improved performance in specific end‑use applications.
• Develop laboratory methods and experimental programs that simulate real‑world application environments.
• Establish clear structure‑property‑performance relationships to guide molecule and process design.

• Understand the application of materials characterization to characterize materials.
• Apply rheological analysis (as well as other characterization methods) to characterize materials, formulations and end‑use systems.
• Translate laboratory and characterization data into actionable insights that predict or validate application performance.

• Evaluate synthesized materials in relevant end‑use systems (e.g., fuels, lubricants, coatings, adhesives, polymers) to quantify performance benefits.
• Collaborate with formulation chemists, application scientists, and business teams to align research with market and customer needs.
• Provide technical data, structure‑function interpretation, and performance rationale to support product development and commercialization.

• Work with appropriate engineering team(s) to transition successful chemistries from the laboratory to pilot and production scale.
• Use Design of Experiments (DoE) and data‑driven methodologies to optimize process conditions and ensure reproducibility.
• Understand and apply engineering principles to facilitate practical, scalable solutions.

• Safety and working in an employee‑led safety organization. Participates in laboratory safety activities and leads lab‑based management of changes.
• Design and execute safe and efficient lab experimentation using the highest standards using the scientific method.
• Data development utilizing lab‑scale systems though hands‑on operation of equipment/analytical and complete data workup in spreadsheets.
• Build and maintain lab testing facilities for project needs. Improve and modify to meet testing needs. Troubleshoot analytically, develop methods and complete data analysis.
• Manage portfolio of development projects and provide project leadership in area of responsibility.
• Communicates to steering teams and business teams for strategic decisions. Deliver presentations or reports that distill complex ideas into clear results and proposals; communicate appropriately to influence internal and external audiences, including senior management.
• Operates with significant independence from experimental planning/modeling through data presentation.
• Stay abreast of developments in their field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
• Awareness and participation in intellectual property development and identification of threats.
• Documents…