Job Summary

The PSA Additives Scientist supports global business growth within the Adhesives & Sealants segment by designing, developing, and optimizing rheology and adhesion modifiers for pressure‑sensitive adhesive (PSA) systems. This role is primarily responsible for developing clay‑based, smectite/hectorite, and hybrid additive technologies for water‑borne and solvent‑borne PSA formulations. The scientist drives projects from laboratory concept through pilot‑scale validation, generating robust technical data to support product performance, customer success, and new business opportunities. The position requires strong hands‑on laboratory skills, deep understanding of rheology and adhesive performance, and the ability to translate experimental results into scalable, customer‑relevant solutions.

Job Description

Responsibilities

Formulation & Development

• Design, formulate, and optimize rheology and adhesion additives for PSA systems, including clay‑based and hybrid chemistries.
• Plan and execute Design of Experiments (DOE) to tune viscosity, flow behavior, coating performance, and final adhesive properties such as peel, tack, and shear.
• Support project execution using structured Project Management tools (e.g., Stage‑Gate process, timelines, and cost awareness) to plan, track, and communicate activities.

Testing & Characterization

• Perform material and formulation characterization using viscosity measurements, rotational and oscillatory rhinometry, DMA, peel/tack testing, and accelerated aging methods.
• Interpret data to establish structure–property–performance relationships relevant to PSA applications.

Scale‑Up & Quality Support

• Support transition of successful laboratory formulations to pilot and commercial production.
• Troubleshoot process variables to ensure consistency, reproducibility, and compliance with quality and regulatory requirements.

Technical Service & Problem Solving

• Provide hands‑on technical support to internal teams and customers, including formulation guidance, performance benchmarking, and root‑cause analysis of application issues.
• Generate technical data packages to support customer evaluations and commercial adoption.
• Actively support new business opportunities (NBOs) by generating application‑relevant data in collaboration with Global Key Account Management (GKAM) and key customers.

Documentation & Communication

• Maintain accurate and compliant documentation including ELN entries, SOPs, analytical procedures, batch records, and technical reports.
• Present project updates, data analysis, and technical recommendations to cross‑functional stakeholders across R&D, sales, marketing, production, and leadership.
• Support and contribute to technical training for sales, technical sales, customers, and distributors.