Senior Scientist - Dispersion

JOB TITLE: Senior Scientist - Dispersion

About Axalta Coating Systems

Axalta Coating Systems is a global leader in the coatings industry, providing innovative, sustainable solutions for automotive, industrial, and refinish applications. With a commitment to research and development, we strive to enhance performance, durability, and aesthetics across a wide range of coating products.

Job Summary

We are seeking a Pigment Dispersion Scientist to join our dynamic R&D team. This individual will be responsible for developing and optimizing pigment dispersion formulations, processes, and technologies to enhance the performance of our coatings. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in chemistry, material science, or chemical engineering with a focus on pigments, dispersions, and coatings. This role involves leading formulation programs and collaborating with cross-functional teams to advance our coatings technology. Additionally, the scientist will work closely with laboratory technicians, guiding experimental designs and ensuring quality control in pigment dispersion studies.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage formulation programs and related R&D projects focused on pigment dispersions.
• Formulate and develop pigment dispersions for use in coatings, ensuring optimal stability, color strength, and performance.
• Investigate new pigment dispersion technologies and raw materials to enhance formulation efficiency.
• Characterize and evaluate dispersions using rheological, particle size, and stability testing methods.
• Optimize dispersion processes to improve efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness.
• Lead project teams that build new product platforms and formulating practices using innovative materials developed internally and/or through external partners.
• Translate customer ‘wants’ and product performance gaps into technical product specifications, defining critical tests to relate coating properties to end-use performance criteria.
• Work collaboratively with cross-functional teams including R&D, manufacturing, application specialists, and quality control.
• Troubleshoot dispersion-related issues in existing and new formulations.
• Stay up to date with industry trends, technologies, and regulatory requirements.
• Summarize and present findings to management, suppliers, and external customers.
• Understand and contribute to expanding Axalta’s intellectual property estate through innovation.
• Assist in the design of experiments, conduct experiments independently, and collect, summarize, and present data.
• Provide technical guidance to laboratory technicians, ensuring proper execution of experiments and maintenance of lab equipment.
• Ensure a safe working environment, including proper handling, categorization, and disposal of chemicals.

Qualifications:

• BS, MA, or Ph.D. in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field.
• Minimum 3+ years of experience in pigment dispersion formulation, coatings development or coatings-related experience. Minimum 5 years of hands-on technical experience will be considered in lieu of an advanced degree.
• Strong knowledge of pigment chemistry, surfactants, and dispersion mechanisms.
• Familiarity with dispersion equipment (e.g., bead mills, high-shear mixers) and characterization techniques (e.g., rheology, particle size analysis, spectroscopy) is desirable.
• Familiarity with coatings applications in automotive, industrial, or architectural sectors is a plus.
• Supervisory experience leading technicians is desirable.
• Knowledge of spraying, printing, and other coating application processes.
• Capable of adapting in a rapidly evolving market with loosely defined objectives.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Project management experience and familiarity with the Stage-Gate process is a plus.
• Excellent written & oral communication skills for internal and customer audiences.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, TEAMS, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Willingness and ability to travel (<10% of working time).
• Share Axalta’s values of integrity, critical thinking, effort, and efficiency.

Our Company:

Axalta has remained at the forefront of the coatings industry by continually investing in innovative solutions. We engineer technologies that protect customers’ products – whether they are battling heat, light, corrosion, abrasion, moisture, or chemicals – and add dimension and beauty with colorful finishes. We have a vast and ever-evolving portfolio of brands primed to play an important part in everything from modernizing infrastructure around the world to enabling the next gen