R&D Researcher I

Description

Summary

The role of the R&D Researcher I is to assist with conducting research, design, development and testing of products for existing and new opportunities, implement work plans, in a timely, safe and scientifically sound manner, and provide support to other members of the R&D team and the other Chemet departments. This position is on-site at our East Helena, Montana plant. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Have a solid understanding of the chemistry concepts, various laboratory equipment, and chemical principles involved in the products that the company makes and sells.
• Assists with developing ideas for products and collaborating with R&D team from product development through to fruition.
• Assists with creating detailed plans with various teams (including engineering) to assist with product development and production.
• Assist with managing quality issues during development/production and ensure ISO compliance.
• Assist with managing and maintaining production equipment.
• Perform lab and plant manufacturing and analysis duties when developing new products or processes. Accurately measure process and product variables and record data.
• Accurately and clearly communicate results of test work in appropriate formats to target audiences, both technical and non-technical.
• Interface with other company departments, customers, vendors, and individual plant personnel as needed to complete projects.
• Assist other research and development personnel as assigned.
• Perform shop duties, including fabrication, basic electrical, maintenance, and parts specification.
• Maintain a clean and organized work area.
• Prepare, package, analyse and ship samples.
• Complete special research, reports and analysis as required.
• Assist with design of marketing materials.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

A strong chemical and technical background, with a BS degree preferred, along with 3-5 years of experience in an industrial production, product development or laboratory setting.

Requirements

COMPETENCIES/KSA’S:

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Ability to be precise and accurate in recording data measurements when doing experiments; analysis of the results must be accurate and well documented, preferably in some form of written report for senior management.

ORAL COMMUNICATION

Ability to express yourself clearly in oral communication, whether face-to-face or by phone or video. Ability to ensure the right information is shared in an appropriate and timely way with the right people. The ability to listen in order to understand and not to reply is essential.

WRITTEN COMMUNICATON

Ability to express yourself clearly in written communication and ensures that the right information is shared in an appropriate and timely way with the right people. The ability to use Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlooks is essential. 

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Knowledge and understanding that contact with external customers is only done via the Sales team. The Sales team are R&D’s primary internal customers and responding promptly to Sales requests is a priority. Other departments (Engineering, Production, QC, Accounts, etc....) are also R&D’s internal customers whose requirements must be met in a timely fashion. 

INFORMATION GATHERING

Knowledge of where to find past work carried out by Chemet's R&D personnel is required, along with knowing how best to find relevant information (e.g., papers and patents) from the internet for R&D projects.

ANALYTICAL THINKING AND INNOVATION PROCESS KNOW-HOW

Ability to consistently look for innovative ways to streamline processes and improve work quality, with the ability to self-evaluate and continuously look for ways to become more effective.

PROBLEM SOLVING

The ability to come up with innovative solutions to problems that are encountered in R&D projects is a basic requirement for all R&D personnel. Most often this is best done in consultation with other team members and including the Sales team.

ABILITY TO SAFELY USE VARIOUS LABORATORY EQUIPMENT

Use the HRP analysis system when starting any new laboratory job. Ability to demonstrate practical work and readily apply DIY skills in maintaining and operating laboratory equipment. Knowledge of operating a forklift safely is encouraged. 

INTERPRETATIONS OF SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE

Ability to find reliable and valid scientific information that pertains to the R&D project currently being worked on using multiple channels; ability to keep up to date with any new developments which will require regular reading of relevant scientific journals and magazines; ability to attend conferences along with training courses to develop the competence to interpret scientific literature and to understand what is of importance and what is not. 

LEGAL AND REGULATORY KNOWLEDGE

Most of Chemet's products are regulated, either in the USA or globally, and as such it is essential that R&D personnel know about the limitations that these regulations pose for product development work. This also includes a knowledge of the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) requirements for Chemet's products, which can differ from customer to customer.

COMPUTER APPLICATION SKILLS

Windows; Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand while conducting laboratory and physical tests on materials; walk; sit; operate a computer keyboard, mouse, telephone and also to weigh and handle samples of products; reach with hands and arms to operate equipment; climb onto forklifts; stoop or crouch to access production or laboratory equipment; talk or hear on the phone to receive and convey instructions to and from company personnel. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and color vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; high precarious places to maintain equipment; fumes and/or airborne particles of copper or zinc dust; toxic or caustic chemicals; outside weather conditions; extreme cold; extreme heat; risk of electrical shock; and explosives. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.