Scientist, Adhesives

About Us

Elementis is a global specialty chemical company, with 1,300 employees operating 17 manufacturing sites across the globe. At Elementis, we bring a distinctive combination of expertise, innovation, and teamwork to every formulation challenge. We create high-value specialty additives that enhance the performance of our customers' products and make a positive change in the world. Combining our leading positions in the science of materials flow, surface modification, and formulation with access to unique natural materials, Elementis delivers unique chemistry, sustainable solutions to customers in a wide range of markets, including cosmetics, anti-perspirants, decorative and industrial coatings, automotive and ceramics.

Job Description Summary

The PSA Additives Scientist supports global business growth within the Adhesives & Sealants segment by designing, developing, and optimizing rheology and adhesion modifiers for pressure‑sensitive adhesive (PSA) systems.
This role is primarily responsible for developing clay‑based, smectite/hectorite, and hybrid additive technologies for water‑borne and solvent‑borne PSA formulations. The scientist drives projects from laboratory concept through pilot‑scale validation, generating robust technical data to support product performance, customer success, and new business opportunities.
The position requires strong hands‑on laboratory skills, deep understanding of rheology and adhesive performance, and the ability to translate experimental results into scalable, customer‑relevant solutions.

Job Description

Responsibilities

Formulation & Development

• Design, formulate, and optimize rheology and adhesion additives for PSA systems, including clay‑based and hybrid chemistries.
• Plan and execute Design of Experiments (DOE) to tune viscosity, flow behavior, coating performance, and final adhesive properties such as peel, tack, and shear.
• Support project execution using structured Project Management tools (e.g., Stage‑Gate process, timelines, and cost awareness) to plan, track, and communicate activities.

Testing & Characterization

• Perform material and formulation characterization using viscosity measurements, rotational and oscillatory rhinometry, DMA, peel/tack testing, and accelerated aging methods.
• Interpret data to establish structure–property–performance relationships relevant to PSA applications.

Scale‑Up & Quality Support

• Support transition of successful laboratory formulations to pilot and commercial production.
• Troubleshoot process variables to ensure consistency, reproducibility, and compliance with quality and regulatory requirements.

Technical Service & Problem Solving

• Provide hands‑on technical support to internal teams and customers, including formulation guidance, performance benchmarking, and root‑cause analysis of application issues.
• Generate technical data packages to support customer evaluations and commercial adoption.
• Actively support new business opportunities (NBOs) by generating application‑relevant data in collaboration with Global Key Account Management (GKAM) and key customers.

Documentation & Communication

• Maintain accurate and compliant documentation including ELN entries, SOPs, analytical procedures, batch records, and technical reports.
• Present project updates, data analysis, and technical recommendations to cross‑functional stakeholders across R&D, sales, marketing, production, and leadership.
• Support and contribute to technical training for sales, technical sales, customers, and distributors.

Decision Making

• Define experimental methodologies and formulation strategies within assigned projects.

• Recommend technical directions and development priorities.

• Higher‑level approval required for non‑budgeted expenditures.

Job Competencies

• Building collaborative relationships: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Customer focus: Drive product development and opportunities for future business through insight and understanding of customer needs.
• Cultivates innovation: By promoting an innovative mindset, foster a culture of creativity and exploration within the team, encouraging them to think outside the box and generate novel ideas, and drive continuous improvement in products, processes and technologies.  
• Plan and align: Planning and aligning to execute is essential for managing multiple projects effectively. It enables you to allocate resources, ensure research activities are synchronized with project timelines, execute projects with precision, maximize productivity and achieve desired outcomes.    
• Communicates effectively: Utilizing different modes of communication to understand and translate customer needs into future products and applications.  Harnessing the collective expertise of the team, customers, and external research partners to develop innovative solutions.

Additional Job Description

Technical Knowledge and Skills

• Strong understanding of rheology, viscosity control, and flow behavior in PSA and coating systems
• Hands‑on expertise in adhesive performance testing (peel, tack, shear)
• Proficiency in DOE and statistical tools (e.g., Minitab, JMP)
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and data‑interpretation skills
• Strong laboratory practices, including solid handling, dispersion of clays, and operation of analytical instruments

Position Requirements

Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science, or related discipline. Ph.D. preferred.

Experience: 3–5 years of hands‑on experience in additive development, PSA formulation, or adhesive systems.

IT Skills: Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Teams; familiarity with ELN systems preferred.

Language Skills: Fluency in written and spoken English.

Working Arrangements: On site, based in Porto, Portugal .

Travel Required: Up to 10%.