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Vantage Specialty Chemicals · 1 day ago

Principal Scientist, Complex Fluids & Surface

Warren, NJ

Full-time

Onsite

Senior Level, Lead/Staff

$130K/yr - $190K/yr

5+ years exp

Vantage Specialty Chemicals is seeking a highly skilled and results-driven Principal Scientist, Complex Fluids & Surfaces to lead a critical enabling platform that advances measurement science and mechanistic understanding across multiple business units. This role involves driving technical excellence and delivering differentiated product solutions for consumer and industrial markets, while leading complex research and development projects with substantial autonomy.

Chemicals

Responsibilities

Assume full technical responsibility for the design, execution, and coordination of major R&D projects and initiatives in colloid and surface science

Plan and lead research addressing novel, complex, or controversial scientific problems with significant impact on product portfolios and long-term business strategies

Act as global technical authority in measurement science, establishing worldwide liaison with internal and external experts to shape the company’s strategic direction

Develop and apply advanced methods in rheology, interfacial and surface analysis, and particle characterization to provide deep mechanistic understanding of complex fluids and formulated products

Collaborate with R&D, process engineering, scale-up, and operations teams to apply measurement science to both product innovation and manufacturing process improvements

Serve as: Individual Contributor – Lead original, high-impact research, often resulting in new methodologies, inventions, or breakthrough innovations. Staff Specialist – Act as the company-wide expert in applying advanced scientific principles to facilities, products, and technologies

Translate measurement science into consumer-technical models linking physical properties of products with consumer experience and perception

Guide the design, commissioning, and operation of laboratories for advanced instrumentation; ensure scientific instrumentation is maintained, calibrated, and continuously improved

Train, mentor, and supervise junior scientists and technical staff in advanced methods and best practices

Evaluate project outcomes, recommend shifts in strategy, and monitor emerging scientific fields to identify new opportunities

Champion adherence to safety, compliance, and quality standards, while fostering an inclusive and collaborative culture of scientific excellence

Qualification

Colloid scienceSurface scienceRheologyMeasurement science techniquesLaboratory designMentoringCommunication skills

Required

Ph.D. in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science, or a related discipline; minimum 5–6 years of relevant industrial R&D experience

Proven track record of technical leadership, innovation, and significant contributions to scientific advancement in complex fluids and surfaces

Extensive hands-on experience with characterization of colloidal and multiphase systems, including viscoelastic surfactant solutions, polymer solutions, emulsions, microemulsions, dispersions, and lamellar liquid crystalline fluids

Expertise in measurement science techniques, with emphasis on rheology for characterizing complex fluids and supporting structure–property and sensory modeling

Strong record of scientific impact through publications, patents, and professional engagement as a subject matter expert

Experience in laboratory design, instrumentation operation, maintenance, and upgrades

Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop junior technical talent

Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience presenting to technical and business audiences

Authorized to work in the United States

Preferred

Familiarity with oscillatory and steady shear methods, viscoelastic behavior, and flow analysis is desirable

Additional experience in tribology, viscometry, surface/interfacial tensiometry, contact angle analysis, foam stability, particle size characterization, and microscopy (PLM, fluorescence, SEM, TEM) is also valued