Staff Scientist

Make a +Difference at Kraton!

At Kraton, we make a Positive Difference, and we are looking for individuals who are also looking to make a difference in their jobs, for our customers and to the world.  We are looking to hire a key member of our R&D Application Development team at our Amsterdam location.

As a member of our team, you will have the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research and development projects, collaborate with talented professionals, and make a significant impact on the advancement of our innovative products. Kraton is dedicated to creating sustainable solutions that address the evolving needs of our customers. With a strong commitment to innovation, we develop and manufacture a diverse range of high-performance polymers. Our products find applications in industries such as medical, automotive, consumer durables, recycling, personal care, and more.

If you are a passionate and results-driven scientist seeking a challenging and rewarding opportunity, we invite you to join our team at Kraton!

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to Kraton Polymer’s ambition to be a sustainable and leading producer of thermoplastic elastomers.
• Creatively find new applications of current technology/products using expert knowledge of polymer and materials science. 
• Independently formulate research work to develop next generation polymer products and concepts.
• Guide design of and modifications to experiments and carry out as required by the project. Supervise colleagues within projects. 
• Take responsibility on experimental setup and innovate lab facilities where appropriate.
• Establish contacts and networks with internal/external customers and innovation partners including academia. 
• Engage with customers and assess their needs, propose and execute approaches to solve their challenges.
• Independently report experimental results to internal/external customers or team members.
• Participate in the definition of personal and organizational development needs in technical expertise, business, personal skills and application.

Required Skills

• PhD in science / engineering with a strong focus on the polymer expertise.
• Minimum 5 years of industrial experience (the seniority of the role will be aligned with the relevant experience).
• Experience with either thermoplastic processing or rubber processing is strongly preferred.
• Experience with regulatory approval processes for medical/pharmaceutical materials is a plus. 
• A track record as innovator, supported by academic and/or patent publications.
• Ability to work closely with internal/external customers and establish strong relationships to drive innovation projects.
• Ability to effectively contribute to patent drafting and patents evaluation.
• Ability to coach, mentor, or supervise co-workers.
• Ability to technically lead projects. Project management certification is a plus. 
• Role model in safety.

Education, Certifications & Licenses

• PhD + 5 years relevant industrial experience

What we Offer

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Opportunity to work with a talented and diverse team of professionals in the field.
• Continuous learning and development opportunities to enhance your skills.
• A supportive work environment that values teamwork and collaboration.
• A chance to make a real positive difference in the industry, working on sustainable solutions. 

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The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this classification.  Statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required for this position.

Kraton’s internal talent acquisition team manages our recruiting efforts and from time to time works with pre-selected/pre-approved external staffing agencies. We do NOT accept unsolicited resumes or candidate referrals from recruiters and/or agencies who are not pre-selected/pre-approved.

Kraton is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.