CPD Researcher

Basic Function

The Commercial Product Development (CPD) Researcher provides fundamental technical subject matter expertise in polymer structure-property relationships, catalyst, polymerization and process knowhow as well as general manufacturing support to our polyethylene, polypropylene and especially Catalloy resin production sites in support of business directed goals.  The primary role is to lead the development of new products and the introduction of polymer technologies aimed at enhancing LyondellBasell’s leadership position in targeted markets.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Works cross functionally to manage medium term product and polymerization process development / improvement projects from initiation, through qualification, to subsequent commercialization in support of business directed objectives.
• Supports the commercial scale-up of new / improved products and polymer technologies to achieve business objectives.
• Provides support to manufacturing plants including process improvement initiatives and other activities aimed at operational excellence and continuous improvement.
• Defines polymer composition of new resins and predicts resin performance in targeted conversion processes, markets and end use applications.
• Recognized as a technical subject matter expert in polymer structure, property and technology process relationships and focused on resin development and design.
• Leads efforts to ensure product development programs have proper linkage between catalyst architecture, polymer microstructure and key product properties desired in the marketplace and that products adhere to Product Stewardship and Regulatory requirements. 
• Provides resin targets to catalyst development and other technology development teams and supports the planning and executing of pilot plant and commercial test runs for developmental products.
• Identifies business critical product / application / innovation opportunities and conducts scouting research and design of experiments to develop proof of concept, with the intent of establishing technical and commercial feasibility.
• Verifies customer needs, linking these to critical product attributes, while also recommending product performance targets and prototyping potential product solutions at target customers.

Primary Internal and External Touch Points

• Customers: Technical Management and Engineers, Manufacturing Management and Engineers, Quality Assurance Engineers and Line Operators 
• Industry Associations and Regulatory Bodies: Legislators, Standards Groups and other Industry experts 
• Internal: Marketing Managers, Asset Managers, Account Representatives, Applications Development and Technical Service Engineers, R&D Researchers, Manufacturing and Production Engineers, Line Operators, Lab Technicians, Product Safety Consultants, Specifications Management Consultants, Inventory Planners, others

Min. Qualifications

• Strong technological orientation, results oriented, project management, innovation, creativity, good oral and written communication skills, teamwork, leadership, problem solving and decision making skills are essential for this position.  Up to twenty five percent travel, mostly within the US and occasionally to Europe, is expected.
• The position requires a PhD in any one of the following: Polymer Science and Engineering, Plastics or Polymer Engineering, Chemical Engineering and Material Science and Engineering.  The position also requires a strong demonstration of resin characterization methods, product performance testing and polymer processing technologies.  Relevant industry experience is preferred (0-5 years or more).
   

Preferred Qualifications

Competencies