Associate Research Specialist in Global R&D Characterization

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About you and this role

We have an exciting opening for an Associate Research Specialist in the R&D Characterization Group in Terneuzen, The Netherlands.

The R&D Characterization Group is a characterization and analytical process group under the Global R&D Characterization organization in the Plastics & Specialty Plastics Hydrocarbons (P&SPH) business which characterizes polyethylene films to support manufacturing plants and clients, R&D projects, technical service studies, and process improvements.

The Global R&D Characterization laboratory in Terneuzen provides characterization and testing support to internal and external clients in the areas of rheology, analytical, separations, sensory and process analytical. In this role you will work closely with technicians, research scientists, engineers and group leader to continuously give support for the business and focus on improving the technical capabilities of the laboratory. It is expected from you to take ownership of the laboratory’s data and data quality and find ways to improve the efficiency of our work processes. Problem solving and team-work skills are crucial for executing routing test procedures, implementation of new capabilities and bringing in the development of new technologies.

As Associate Research Specialist, you develop and implement technical solutions through hands-on experimentation and problem-solving for research problems that are well defined in multiple technology areas in R&D characterization. You receive instruction, guidance and direction from more senior level roles. The role requires conceptual knowledge of theories, practices, and procedures within job discipline. Furthermore, you perform routine assignments and solve standard problems using existing procedures. You apply general knowledge of business developed through education or past experience. You analyze information and standard practices to make judgments.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on assigned projects using working knowledge of scientific principles, theory and experimental design within different scientific disciplines.
• Implement technical solutions through hands-on experimentation/problem-solving for research problems that are well defined within project areas.
• Generate sound research data, interpretation of results, and data handling.
• Consistently apply the Scientific Method in the planning and execution of experimental plans and problem solving. Formulate hypotheses and develop experimental plans to test hypotheses.
• Collaborate effectively across the department; present research project updates and demonstrate capability to influence audience with effective presentation skills.
• Communicate and appropriately documents work in the form of internal reports/presentations. Draft and submit patent disclosures as appropriate.
• Brings ideas for new changes to implement in the current work processes and/or facilitates the ideation of new projects or topics.
• Using established procedures (typically ASTM or ISO), be knowledgeable on separations science, rheology, analytical or process analytical testing of polymers.
• Create or maintain plans and document related to innovation in characterization techniques, products and sustainability.
• Conduct non-routine testing on complex requests from clients, testing during developing new methods or techniques and supports routine tests in different labs in R&D Characterization labs.
• Having good laboratory skills, ability to learn new testing methods, flexibility to adapt tasks to meet client and lab needs and capabilities, and be able to work in a fast-paced environment.  
• Lead initiatives to improve the overall lab performance and delivery of results to clients.
• Conduct Research & Development projects either independently or under the direction of a Research Scientist, fellow or department leader.
• Train new employees to start experiments to understand, communicate and continuously improve the capability of our methods and laboratory.
• Routinely contribute to documentation as approp