R&D Scientist

Vibrantz Technologies is a leading global provider of specialty chemicals and materials, dedicated to bringing color, performance, and vibrancy to life. With a wide range of applications and products, our company serves over 11,000 customers worldwide.

This position is part of the Research & Development (R&D) Department within the Advanced Materials business unit of Vibrantz Technologies, a subsidiary of Vibrantz Surface Technology. The Department is responsible for developing new products, providing technical service to customers, qualifying alternate raw materials, and supporting operations.

The R&D Scientist will perform hands-on research, develop, and improve products from product conception to scale-up for surface finishing polishing. The product will be used for semiconductor and substrate polishing customers. This position will take project leadership roles, interfacing with the sales/marketing group and customers to define project goals, ensuring these goals are commercially and scientifically viable, and developing experimental plans and test methods to evaluate the performance of developmental products.

1. Develop abrasive modification methods to improve polishing performance of substrates (PLP/SiC) and CMP slurry.
2. Construct polishing slurry formulas with engineered abrasives and establish relation models with additives and chemicals.
3. Use analytical software to efficiently execute conceptual design and predict the best solution.
4. Prepare and share technical findings with customers and the R&D group. Maintain records of work conducted, provide regular updates, and share them in R&D department meetings.
5. Support implementation of new processes at Vibrantz's operating plants.
6. Participate in annual surface finishing conferences and seminars.
7. Follow safety rules and practices. Participate in R&D, corporate, and plant safety activities.

The ideal candidate will have a BA/BS degree and a minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience. The ability to operate in a self-directed manner and make independent decisions is required. The candidate should be able to work well in a team environment and lead product development efforts to successfully complete assigned product development projects. Strong oral and written English communication skills are required. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications is also necessary.

A Doctor's degree in chemistry or chemical engineering, and material science with demonstrated knowledge in chemistry and/or chemical engineering, and colloidal particle modification chemistry would be a plus. Understanding of solution chemistry effects on abrasive, substrate, and deposit films would also be beneficial. Experience with DOE design statistic software is an advantage. Work experience in lab or industrial process engineering of semiconductor-related fields, specifically chemical mechanical polishing or surface finishing treatments, is also advantageous.