Surfactant Applications Research Chemist

Purpose of Job

Support applications-focused research and development activities at the Lake Charles site, with emphasis on surfactant-based systems, in alignment with global business strategies and objectives to ensure profitable growth. Develop, formulate, and test new surfactant-based and specialty chemical products for use for instance in across Pulp & Paper applications. Demonstrate the value of existing and experimental Sasol products, particularly alcohols and surfactants, in relevant markets to support specialty chemical sales. Provide technical support at conferences and customer meetings as needed. 

Key Accountabilities

• Supports research projects that address the technical objectives of the research group including Pulp & Paper and applications testing in a variety of different end use markets that use surfactants and alcohols. 
• With support from the manager, develops and executes technical projects which are aligned with the needs of the assigned application area. 
• Leads significant technical initiatives within research group and handles multiple projects simultaneously.
• Demonstrates feasibility of technical solutions to key problems/issues known within research group and project teams.
• Competent regarding key instrumentation and standard techniques commonly used in the assigned laboratory and reliably executes more complex procedures.
• Responsible for safety setting up and conducting laboratory experiments independently. Properly maintaining Sasol equipment and for the generation and communications of reliable properly documenbted data. 
• Documents results in electronic laboratory notebook, research reports and presents key finding in group meetings and departmental seminars.
• Attends, networks and presents at key conferences.
• Interacts with customers, manager and group members, and routinely interacts with other research groups in the local laboratory. 
• Develops and maintains relationships with key stakeholders within research group, LC R&D department, global R&D departments, sales and marketing.
• Responsible for understanding Sasol's procedures for securing intellectual property; responsible for appropriately recording laboratory results for use in developing intellectual property.
• Ability to travel as needed

Formal Education

Ph.D. in Chemistry (preferred) or Masters/Bachelors in chemistry or other physical science

Working Experience

PhD  or  (Masters with 5 years experience -  Bachelor with 10 years experience) 

Required Personal and Professional Skills

• Hands-on experience, ideally including surfactant systems, alcohols and derivatives.
• Familiar with working in the laboratory
• Strong commitment to safety
• Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc) and ability to work on instruments with computer interface
• Effective interpersonal skills to work with internal and external customers
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• R&D Project management experience required: Plan, initiate, and run projects to conclusion with necessary interaction with R&D, Marketing and Sales, and customers
• Solutions driven
• Customer focused