Are you the kind of person that is always thinking, sketching, seeking, and adjusting? Who needs to understand how things work and then figure out how they can work better? Are you a passionate, tenacious, solver who loves to work with others who share your drive? Are you positive, constructive, and ingenious?
Are you always solving?
Then we’d like to meet you and bet you’d like to meet us.
Ashland has an exciting opportunity for a Sr. Staff Scientist to join our Agrochemical business at our Bridgewater, NJ location. This is a significant role within the Company and the Crop Care R&D function. This position will report to the Crop Care R&D Group Leader
The responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to, the following:
Participate in R&D development and innovation efforts of the Ag Chem business, including the design and development of new products and the improvement of existing Crop Care products.
Represent the Crop Care R&D group in cross-functional teams responsible for developing specialty products leveraging broader Ashland technologies that will fill gaps in the current portfolio and satisfy needs of the marketplace.
Preparation of laboratory-scale liquid and solid formulations
New formulation development and evaluation, including SL, EC, SC, WDG, and OD formulation types with Ashland products
Act as a leader on stability, efficacy and trials associated with agrichemical formulations
Plan and conduct experiments in the lab, making suggestions for improvement and troubleshooting
Maintain laboratory productivity, identifying peak and slack periods and setting up priorities in conjunction with Crop Care R&D Manager.
Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending industry conventions, reviewing professional agrochemical publication, and establishing personal network
Technical service supporting sales marketing and customer visits – perform application studies, create sales tools, answers customer queries via phone or email
Participate and lead new product development and have active involvement in Crop Care R&D Innovation Projects
Preparing technical presentations for internal and external customers at customer sites, scientific conferences, and trade shows
Actively contribute to the organizational goals by taking initiative, executing on goals and focusing on performance and safety
Improve the organization capacity and capabilities through building collaborative relationships, optimizing diverse talent and utilizing positive communications and influence with others
In order to be qualified for this role, you must possess the following:
Minimum MS Degree in Chemistry, Crop Sciences, Biology or related scientific/technical discipline
5-10 years experience in the agrichemical industry
Experience with formulation equipment and general analytical equipment in developing Ag formulations with a knowledge of pesticide formulations and EPA/PMRA/REACH requirements preferred
Strong and effective oral communication skills to be able to clearly present ideas, experiments, and results including presenting technical information, technical report writing, producing customer technical reports is desired
Strong written skills and basic knowledge of scientific writing
Must have a working knowledge of industry manufacturing techniques and capabilities and work with the manufacturing group to optimize the manufacturing process for new formulations
Strong organization and planning skills and experience in planning daily work
Track record of delivering quality results to meet tight timelines
Experience working independently, i.e., to take a project from the idea stage to the scale-up step
A good team player who can cooperate and collaborate with a diverse group by helping and sharing ideas and working together, assisting when others need help
Demonstrated responsible and ethical behavior at all times
The ability to help the company drive greater value through understanding the business, making complex decisions and creating the new and different
Willing and able to travel domestically and international travel as required to support the organization (~10%)
The following skill sets are preferred by the business unit:
PhD Degree in Chemistry, Crop Sciences, Biology or related scientific/technical discipline