Scientist

As the largest pureplay adhesives company in the world, H.B. Fuller’s (NYSE: FUL) innovative, functional coatings, adhesives and sealants enhance the quality, safety and performance of products people use every day. Founded in 1887, with 2023 revenue of $3.5 billion, our mission to Connect What Matters is brought to life by more than 7,000 global team members who collaborate with customers across more than 30 market segments in over 140 countries to develop highly specified solutions that enable customers to bring world-changing innovations to their end markets.

The Scientist has the primary responsibility for conducting research tasks coordinated by more experienced scientists and managers. This position conducts laboratory bench work tasks, physical testing and supports QA and Operations in trouble shooting manufacturing issues. This position is responsible for product development, cost saving initiatives, and production support. This person will be dealing primarily with water based and solvent based adhesives, sealants, and coatings for Building Adhesive Solutions (BAS) including thermal insulation, HVAC, water proofing, and general construction.

Primary Responsibilities

• Research, development and technical service activities.

• Developing solvent based and water-based coatings, adhesives and sealants for the BAS division. 

• Conducting and analyzing experiments on organic and inorganic substances to determine and evaluate their chemical and physical properties and to investigate their applications to industry.

• Carrying out experiments to improve upon or to duplicate materials and substances and engaging in research to identify new processing or production methods.

• Applying and interpreting standard scientific theories, concepts and techniques.

• Completing basic projects independently, drawing conclusions with guidance, and reproducing and articulating results and their meaning, including business impact.

• Supporting product or process demonstrations. 

• Identifying and developing solutions to problems where causal relationships can be identified, and some precedence may exist.

• Documenting test results and making process improvement recommendations.

• Documenting project updates and executing projects using project management methodologies.

• Fulfilling responsibilities as required by the Quality System for the site/business unit.

• Working in a safe and efficient manner.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering and 1 year of professional, industry experience OR Masters Degree in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering

• Demonstrated ability to complete basic projects independently

• Demonstrated understanding and application of business basics, including value propositions

• Good Communication Skills, Collaborative Style, Coachable and bias for action

• Responsive to change and adapts quickly to changing circumstances

• Individually responsible for results and engages in activities and experiences that strengthen contribution to the organization

• Model collaboration and commitment, focuses on team success before individual success

• Focus on customers, creates an experience for customers and provides exceptional value and service

• Demonstrates operational excellence and continually looks for new and better ways to get things done and shows functional and technical proficiency in work

• Demonstrates effective self-management, seeks to understand and act upon improvement opportunities

Preferred Requirements

• Strong background in compounding water based and solvent based coatings, adhesives and sealants and knowledge of fire resistive technology

• Knowledge of application methods for coatings and adhesives including conventional and airless spray equipment, brush and trowel

• Knowledge of the manufacturing equipment and requirements to produce water-based technologies and combustible and flammable solvent-based products

• Familiarity with ASTM Test methods for construction sealants

• Knowledge of general construction concepts

• PC skills - Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams

• Familiarity with Stage Gate and/or Lean Six Sigma

• Ability to utilize basic project management concepts

• Some supervisory experience prioritizing and assigning work

• Ability to solve technical problems and recommend solutions

• Ability to interpret data and develop reports

• Ability to communicate with co-workers to provide and receive direction

This position is not eligible for work visa sponsorship. Applicants must have U.S. work authorization that does not now or in the future require H.B. Fuller sponsorship of a work visa to work for H.B. Fuller.

Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, and geographic location.

The salary for this role is $75,000 - $85,000.

In addition to your salary, H.B. Fuller offers employees a competitive total rewards package including comprehensive benefits, incentive and recognitions programs, health & wellness benefits, 401K contributions, paid time off and paid holidays. Eligibility may vary.

H.B. Fuller is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and proud to have created a collaborative culture where employees around the world are seen, heard, and respected. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, or marital status or status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected classification.

H.B. Fuller does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or staffing firms. To conduct business with H.B. Fuller, a written service agreement must be executed by Human Resources prior to submitting any information relating to a potential candidate. Without a signed service agreement, H.B. Fuller shall not be obligated for payment of any fee or compensation.