Senior Scientist – Hectorite Materials

Senior Scientist, Hectorite Materials

The Senior Scientist, Hectorite Materials, leads the development of next-generation Hectorite products and related clay-based technologies. This role applies advanced expertise in organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, and materials science to drive innovation, solve complex technical challenges, and support strategic business objectives.

Responsibilities

1. Strategic Opportunity & Portfolio Development for new Hectorite Products

• Identify emerging technologies, market trends, customer needs, and review competitive developments to uncover new growth opportunities for Hectorite.
• Evaluate the technical feasibility, business potential, and strategic fit of new Hectorite growth opportunities / concepts and recommend research programs, technology platforms, and innovation initiatives.
• Collaborate with commercial, marketing, and business development teams to define value propositions and support Hectorite innovation portfolio decisions.
• Contribute technical expertise to long-term technology roadmaps and business growth strategies.

2. Research, Innovation & Technology Development

• Lead and execute research and development activities focused on Hectorite materials and related clay technologies, from concept generation through laboratory validation and scale-up.
• Develop innovative Hectorite based material solutions through synthesis, modification, and characterization, applying expertise in chemistry and materials science.
• Establish structure-property-performance relationships to create differentiated technologies and improve product performance.
• Solve complex technical challenges and identify scientific approaches that advance the organization's technology portfolio.
• Generate and protect intellectual property through inventions, patents, technical publications, and knowledge creation.

3. Project Leadership & Business Execution

• Lead multiple research projects, establishing objectives, experimental plans, resource requirements, timelines, and success criteria.
• Drive projects through defined development milestones while balancing technical risks, customer requirements, and business objectives.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to ensure effective execution and successful transition of technologies into product development and commercialization.
• Communicate technical findings, risks, opportunities, and recommendations to stakeholders and leadership to support decision-making.
• Represent the organization in technical interactions with customers, suppliers, academic institutions, and external partners.

Additional Job Description

Technical Knowledge and Skills

1. Strong knowledge of organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, materials science, colloidal systems, and structure-property-performance relationships.

2. Demonstrated experience in the synthesis, modification, characterization, and application development of Hectorite, clay minerals, specialty additives, or related material systems.

3. Proficiency in the use and interpretation of advanced material characterization techniques, including XRD, SEM, TEM, rheology, particle size analysis, thermal analysis, spectroscopy, and surface characterization methods.

4. Strong experimental design, data analysis, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to draw actionable conclusions from complex technical data.

5. Experience developing innovative materials and translating laboratory findings into commercially relevant products and technologies.

6. Knowledge of product development processes, scale-up activities, technology transfer, and commercialization pathways.

7. Understanding of intellectual property processes, including invention disclosures, patent applications, and technology protection strategies.

8. Ability to evaluate emerging technologies, market trends, customer needs, and application opportunities to support innovation and business growth.

9. Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results within established timelines.

10. Effective written, verbal, and presentation communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.

11. Ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams involving R&D, Marketing, Business Development, Manufacturing, Operations, and Commercial organizations.

12. Strong attention to detail, scientific rigor, and commitment to laboratory safety, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence.

13. Self-motivated, results-oriented individual with the ability to work independently, exercise sound technical judgment, and thrive in a dynamic research environment.

Position Requirements

1. Ph.D. in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science, or a related scientific discipline preferred.

2. M.S. degree with significant relevant industrial research experience may be considered.

3. Typically 5-10+ years of industrial R&D experience in advanced materials, specialty chemicals,…