Senior Research Chemist

Who We Are

Johns Manville is a leading manufacturer and marketer of premium-quality insulation and commercial roofing, along with glass fibers and nonwovens for commercial, industrial and residential applications. Our products are used in a wide variety of industries including building products, aerospace, automotive and transportation, filtration, commercial interiors, waterproofing and wind energy.

A proud member of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies, we serve customers in more than 80 countries around the globe. We are committed to delivering positive and powerful experiences, because we are successful only when our employees and customers thrive. We are passionate, we care about people, we perform at a superior level, and we protect others and our environments.

Pay Range

$103,700.00-$142,600.00 Annual

This is the base salary pay range that an applicant can expect to make upon hire.   Pay within this range will vary based upon relevant experience, skills, and education among other factors. In addition, this position is eligible for an incentive bonus. 

Position Overview:

The purpose of the Senior Research Chemist's role is to engage in laboratory research, development, or characterization to develop new or improved products and processes and provide technological services to JM businesses. The Senior Research Chemist will be responsible for leading/participating in technical projects to engage in scientific research supporting JM businesses and provides technological services to meet customer or operational needs.

Your Day-to-Day:

• Perform laboratory synthesis, experimentation, or methods development through independent application of standard principles or refinement of established procedures
• Generate valuable intellectual property for JM
• Create and maintain a vibrant idea vault for projects and aggressively patent commercialize ideas
• Lead or participate in cross-functional teams to execute technical projects
• Travel to manufacturing plants to apply technical expertise to a variety of product or process development projects
• Present concepts, research plans, project updates and accomplishments internally to peers and senior management team or externally to customers and others
• Provide internal technical service to operations when product issues and customer complaints arise for existing and new products
• Use statistical tools, such as Six-Sigma, to design experiments and analyze data
• Use material characterization techniques to collect property and process data; and develop structure/process/property relationships
• Keep abreast of market intelligence on competitor's technology and product platforms and feedback into RD group and business team
• May be required to perform other related duties as assigned

What You Bring to the Team:

• Bachelor's degree in polymer science, chemistry, materials science or related technical field with a minimum of 5 years of research and development experience in synthesis, product development, analysis and research implementation Master's degree or PhD preferred
• Knowledge in polymer chemistry, polymer physics, or material science
• Experience with Six Sigma Design of Experiments (DOE), and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)
• Extensive knowledge of chemical analysis and mechanical evaluation utilizing spectroscopy, thermal or mechanical methods
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of chemical reactions and techniques for chemical synthesis and identification
• Expertise in good laboratory practices in regards to all aspects of quality assurance program and ability to operate within these general practices
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• Proven project management skills
• Strong presentation skills
• Excellent leadership skills
• Proven statistical and analytical skills and quality improvement ability
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment
• Ability to interface at all levels of the organization, both internally and externally
• Experience working directly with production operations and business partners
• Proven ability to lead cross functional project teams and to meet aggressive program deliverables
• Proven ability to use multi-disciplinary approach to problem solving
• Plant trial experience preferred
• Moderate travel required (11 - 29 days per year)
• Work environment is typical of a research laboratory. When working in a plant, may be exposed to environmental conditions of cold, heat, high noise levels, moving mechanical parts, heights, dust/mist/gas/fumes, extensive walking or climbing, etc.

Please Keep in Mind

If you do not meet 100% of these requirements, we at JM still want to hear from you. So, if you are interested in the role, we encourage you to apply so we can learn how your skills and talents can contribute to our team.

Benefits

Johns Manville (JM) offers a wide range of benefits to employees. Some are subsidized by the company and others are fully employee-paid. Health benefits include a choice of comprehensive medical plans, a dental plan, vision plan, wellness program and critical illness insurance. JM sponsors a 401(k) plan which includes a sizeable company match. JM offers paid vacation and also provides paid sick and parental leave for eligible employees.

Additionally, Johns Manville provides basic life Insurance, short-term and long-term disability coverage, an employee assistance program, and business travel accident coverage. Supplemental life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment insurance are available as well. The company also offers a variety of tax saving accounts; health spending account, traditional flexible spending account, and a dependent care spending account. JM also offers a tuition reimbursement program for undergraduate and certain graduate programs.

Diversity & Inclusion

Johns Manville believes diversity and inclusion in our workplace is critical for the long-term success of our company. We are committed to retaining, developing and attracting a diverse workforce that fosters an inclusive work environment in which all employees are treated with dignity and respect. This is the right thing to do for our employees, our company and our communities. Our D&I council is composed of employees from locations across North American & Europe who meet regularly and work to promote and foster an environment of inclusion. Born from our D&I council is our network of employee resource groups (ERGs) that are focused on supporting diverse communities in the workplace. Review more about our diversity & inclusion initiatives on JM’s Career page.

Incumbent must be physically able to perform essential job functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing.