Application Scientist

Covia is a leading supplier of minerals and material solutions to the industrial and energy markets. Covia’s rich legacy includes many achievements across industries and capital success through partnership. Our ability to deliver the right product, to the right place, at the right time, is unmatched. Just as strong is our commitment to building partnerships that help our customers succeed.

Quality and innovation are at the foundation of Covia; but our real strength is our people. Covia employs a diverse and highly skilled team of professionals to convert natural minerals into engineered solutions for our customers. Every member of our team has a valuable opportunity to help shape our future and make a positive impact on the world around us through our commitment to the locations where we live and work.

COVIA IS COMMITTED TO EMBRACING AND PROMOTING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION (D&I) WHERE WE WORK, WITH WHOM WE DO BUSINESS, AND WHERE WE LIVE. We strive to create an inclusive culture where diversity is valued and respected and where all feel included and engaged. We are intentional in our efforts to bring Team Members together and create opportunities to contribute their unique skills, experiences, and perspectives in the pursuit of Covia’s business growth objectives. Enabling all Team Members to perform at their best while being themselves is fundamental to the Clearly Covia Values and Culture.

Covia is looking for a dynamic Polymers Application Scientist who will have a positive impact on the Applications Development Team in the Charlotte, NC. As a Polymers Application Scientist, you will lead the application development of Covia’s industrial minerals in the Polymers markets through formulation design, evaluation, and engagement with customers.

The successful incumbent will have the following Key Accountabilities:

• Lead the exploration of new application development of Covia’s industrial minerals in the Polymers markets. Work hand-in-hand with mineral specialist to create value-added solutions for end-customers
• Lead innovation projects from idea inception to commercialization from the technical side
• Work cross-functionally with sales, marketing, operation and project management to ensure seamless transition of projects in the stage-gate process. Provide training and technical assistance to other functions as needed
• Support the platform director to develop IP strategy in the polymers space. Conduct annual IP landscape study, stay up to date to competitive IP
• Support existing polymers customers. Coordinate comparative testing & evaluation of competitive products in the polymers markets. Serve as a resource for customer problem resolving and technical support
• Lead the design, installation, commissioning, and on-going maintenance of the Polymers laboratory
• Supervise lab technicians. Ensure a safe working environment. Implement 5s standard
• Represent Covia in forums and conferences within specific area of application expertise

The successful incumbent will have the following Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Polymer Science, Polymer Engineering, Material Science, Chemical Engineering, or Chemistry with minimum 10 years’ experience in the relevant industry, or Master /Ph. D degree with 5 years of industrial experience
• Demonstrated expertise and relevant industrial experience in various thermal plastics polymer systems (polyolefin, PVC, TPE, etc.) are required. Experience with elastomers a plus.
• Hands-on experience with polymer compounding, extrusion, blown film, sheets, and/or injection molding
• Well networked in the industry with polymers suppliers, compounders, and converters
• Deep understanding of structure-property relationship regarding paint, coatings and polymers formulations with pigments, fillers, curing agents, activators etc.
• Hands-on ability to execute analytical / laboratory procedures, maintain applicable equipment / systems, familiarity with ASTM procedures/protocols.
• Experience with project management and stage-gate process is preferred

Benefits:

• Excellent Healthcare Benefits – medical, vision, dental
• 401K with company matching
• Vacation Paid Holidays
• Disability, Life / AD&D, and Long-Term Care Insurances
• Employee Assistance Program

At Covia, we strive for and support a diverse workforce as we firmly believe this lays the foundation of our success. Our compelling culture supports inclusion, individuality and respect within the workplace. We are committed to providing employment opportunities to the most qualified candidate based on work-related factors and without regard to non-work-related factors including race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or veteran status.

The organization offers competitive salaries, advancement opportunities, and a full range of benefits.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

IND2

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)