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 team at our Kraton Innovation Center located in West Houston.

The Staff Scientist will primarily work independently, planning and conducting work, using own judgment in the evaluation, selection, application and modification of standard techniques and processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to value creation by creatively finding new applications of technology/products using expert knowledge of technology in professional discipline.
• Independently formulate research work and improvement of new and existing processes/ projects.
• Conduct thorough analyses of complex scientific/technical problems and creatively formulate innovations/new concepts
• Guide design of and modifications to experiments and carry out as required by the project.
• Places required orders and requisitions to complete experimental set ups.
• Independently establishes contacts and networks with internal/external customers.
• Independently assess and discuss customer needs, propose and execute proper approaches to problem solving.
• Independently report experimental results to internal/external customers or team members.
• Takes independent actions on more complex and sensitive issues within area of expertise.
• Participation in the definition of own development needs in technical expertise, business, personal skills and application.
• And other duties as assigned to safely perform.

Required Skills

• 7 years relevant experience in related field.
• Expert knowledge of professional discipline that is relevant to a substantial part of the business, obtained by experience and training including Styrenic Block Copolymers, Polymer Structure Property relationship, product formulations, polymer processing, formulating with polymers for composites, coatings, battery electrodes, polymers used in electronic applications, etc.
• Has knowledge of other disciplines as required for the execution of a program/project.  Experience with customer engagement including voice of customer, key success factors, mapping technical requirements to value in use, etc
• Ability to effectively contribute to patent drafting.
• Ability to provide technical input to the evaluation of third party patents.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from employees, senior management, clients, customers and general public.
• Ability to edit reports written by junior staff.
• Ability to present papers at international scientific conferences or seminars that meet with scientific recognition.
• Ability to work closely with internal/external customers and establish strong relationships to drive innovation projects.
• Ability to coach, mentor, or supervise lower-level scientists and technicians.
• Role model in technical approaches including use of design of experiments.
• Ability to effectively facilitate, lead, and organize large projects including project management.
• Must be able to devise new approaches to problems encountered and use a wide application of complex principles, theories and concepts gained from knowledge /experience.

Education, Certifications & Licenses

• PhD or MSc + 9 yrs. relevant experience or BSc + 11 yrs. relevant experience in Chemistry/Physics/Material Science

--------------------------------------------------

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.