Lead Research Associate

Cabot Corporation (NYSE: CBT) is a leading global specialty chemicals and performance materials company headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Our businesses deliver a broad range of products and solutions to customers in every corner of the globe, serving the transportation, infrastructure, environment and consumer industry sectors. We bring the power of innovative chemistry to solve customers' challenges today while preparing them to meet tomorrow’s needs. Our commitment to innovation is driven by a passion to advance our customers' businesses through our deep understanding of their applications and the global trends that impact their operations.

If you do not meet every requirement, or your experience is slightly different that what we have listed, we still encourage you to apply!

Cabot has an exciting opportunity for a Lead Research Associate to join the Inkjet R&D team and contribute to the growth of our business in the rapidly expanding industrial inkjet market.

This role is ideal for a motivated individual who is eager to grow their technical expertise, expand their impact, and develop into a strong individual contributor. Working alongside experienced scientists and engineers, you will gain hands-on experience in product development, process scale-up, process optimization, and commercialization of innovative aqueous pigment dispersions.

We are looking for someone who thrives in laboratory and pilot plant environments, enjoys solving technical challenges, and is excited by opportunities to learn, take ownership, and continuously develop their career.

The Lead Research Associate will be part of the R&D team and work onsite in Billerica, MA. Are you

• Driven to build a successful technical career and make a meaningful impact?

• Curious, coachable, and motivated to continuously learn and grow?

• Excited to be hands-on at the bench and pilot scale?

• Passionate about collaboration, safety, and innovation?

If so, we'd love to hear from you. Join us and take the next step in your professional growth journey!

This role is based at the Billerica, MA location and is onsite 5 days a week.

How You’ll Make an Impact: 

• Works closely with scientists and engineers on complex experiments, using independent judgment on tools, techniques and processes to execute activities. Executes activities with some independence, troubleshooting issues in a timely manner and driving the resolution of problems

• Provides input and follows experimental plan as set by project leader. May prepare logistics, materials and equipment.

• Executes various chemical and physical laboratory tests involving synthesis, processing, characterization and related troubleshooting with attention to observations and learning. Clearly documents work in e-notebook.

• Design and conduct experiments on existing high-throughput, robotics/automated equipment. May use Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) and machine learning engines to assist with experimental planning and data analysis

• Generates and organizes data; responsible for data analysis, understanding and interpretation of results.

• Responsible for organizing and communicating data in a way that is clear and understandable. Properly documents results and summarizes interpretation and conclusion in appropriate reports and presentations.

• Understanding of how lab and pilot equipment/processes work, capable of mechanical and automation updates to equipment.

• Assists in the training of others in areas of testing, compliance, equipment, and safety requirements.

• Adheres to all intellectual property standards throughout area of responsibility.

• Maintains work area in compliance with safety rules and regulations. Participates in scheduled safety meetings and completes safety training requirements. Creates and updates safety documentation for their work area. Participates in safety-focused activities such as seeking out opportunities to advance our safety culture.

• Strictly follows and complies with all SH&E procedures, standards and regulations and constantly strives for Excellence in the fields of sustainability and Safety, Health and preservation of the Environment.

• Supports efforts to implement and maintain the Responsible Care® Management System in line with the requirements of the RC14001® technical specification, as applicable to the site/region.

What You’ll Bring to Cabot:

• Education & Experience Requirements can be one of the following combinations:

  • Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry or relevant fields plus lab or plant experience.

  • Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry or relevant fields with 2+ years of related working experience (i.e. hands-on chemical engineering, chemistry, material sciences, etc).

  • Associates’ degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry or relevant fields with 4+ years of related working experience (i.e. hands-on chemical engineering, chemistry, material sciences, etc).

Understanding and passion for any of the following topics would be ideal:

• Scale-up of products and processes at lab and pilot scales

• Practical experience with equipment installation, modification, and automation

• Experience with pigment dispersion, milling, or grinding processes

• Proficiency in Python or similar programming languages to support data analytics, workflow automation, and advanced process control.

• Strong understanding of laboratory equipment, procedures, methods and safety practices. Knowledge in relevant technical discipline and keep current with state of art in relevant technology.

• Hands on experience and interest in working with process equipment at lab and pilot scale. Knowledge of process safety (hazard assessment, etc.) and capable to ensure safe operation.

• Solid knowledge of statistics as used in data generation, interpretation, and presentations.

• Strong analytical, observation and problem-solving skills. Ability to draw conclusions from experimental work. Ability to classify and organize data in a logical and orderly way as well as plan work to ensure timely completion of assignments.

• Communication & Presentation Skills. Ability to effectively engage in verbal and written communications that are timely, concise, clear, and relevant while delivering with empathy.

• Collaborative attitude and inter-personal skills; willing to share information and resources with peers.

How We’ll Support Your Success:

• The pay range for this role is from $70,400 to $96,800. The actual compensation offered to the successful candidate will depend on the candidate's skill, qualifications, experience and location. In addition, all positions are eligible for health benefits on the first day of employment, 401K savings plans, vision, dental and annual bonus based on company performance.

• Dynamic, Flexible, Hard Working, Team Environment – We are busy, collaborative, growing, and we are doing meaningful work in a diverse team that values different backgrounds and perspectives.

• Growth – Cabot’s purpose is creating materials that improve daily life and enable a more sustainable future. We need great people to execute this vision and are committed to providing training, peer coaching and support to maximize your ability to grow.

• Benefits, Vacation, etc. – We offer a competitive package of benefits. Benefits begin on first day of employment. Cabot Benefits

• Feedback – We are committed to giving and receiving feedback in a direct and open fashion.

• Support – You are part of a team and deserve to feel encouraged and supported. Our technology is the lifeblood of our business and as a key contributor, your work and thoughts will be valued. You will be part of a team that cares about you personally and professionally.

#LI-ONSITE

At Cabot, we bring the power of innovative chemistry and a spirit of partnership with our customers to advance solutions that will enable a sustainable future. Our strength in research and development is a major reason why we have been an industry leader for more than 135 years in products such as reinforcing and specialty carbons, battery materials, aerogel, fumed metal oxides, inkjet colorants, masterbatches and conductive compounds.

Our employees around the world are united by our shared purpose: Creating materials that improve daily life and enable a more sustainable future. Through our corporate strategy, “Creating for Tomorrow,” we are focused on our core strengths to lead in performance and sustainability – today and into the future.

EEO/AA Employer/Vet/Disabled/RC14001
Realizing we function better together than individually, Cabot Corporation is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive culture that embraces our differences and to empower employees to achieve exceptional results, without consideration of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other legally protected categories. This includes providing reasonable accommodation for employees’ and applicants’ disabilities or religious beliefs and practices, in accordance with applicable law.

Cabot is committed to supporting and maintaining a safe and environmentally focused working environment. All employees are expected to uphold this commitment in every position.

Nondiscrimination Policy with Respect to Discussion of Pay
This is to advise that it is the policy of Cabot Corporation not to discharge or in any other manner discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because such employee or applicant has inquired about, discussed, or disclosed the compensation of the employee or applicant or another employee or applicant. This policy, however, shall not apply to instances in which an employee who has access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as part of that employee's essential job functions (such as in payroll or HR) discloses the compensation of such other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to such information, unless that disclosure is in response to a formal complaint or charge, in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing or other action, including an investigation conducted by Cabot, or otherwise as required by law.

Pre-Employment Drug Testing and Background Checks
Cabot is proud to operate as a drug-free workplace. All applicants conditionally offered a position must (a) complete and pass a background check and (b) complete a drug test and receive an acceptable test result. For certain manufacturing, quality and production positions, a pre-employment physical may be required.