Position OverviewThe pMDI Research Scientist leads high-impact laboratory research that advances polymeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (pMDI) technologies for engineered wood and related adhesive applications. This role combines deep materials and adhesive science with artificial intelligence, data science, and experimental modeling to generate new predictive models that accelerate discovery and optimize resin performance, manufacturing cost, and mill productivity. The position drives formulation and application-development work across resin chemistry, aqueous suspension and emulsion behavior, curing kinetics, wood-substrate interaction, and process-performance relationships, translating scientific insight into scalable product and process solutions that improve performance, safety, sustainability, and commercial value.
Job Responsibilities- Lead laboratory research on pMDI resin systems, including neat resin, aqueous suspensions, emulsions, and related binder technologies for wood composite applications such as OSB, MDF, particleboard, and adjacent materials.
- Design and execute experiments that link formulation, processing, and substrate variables to adhesive performance, including moisture, press time, resin loading, viscosity, emulsion stability, penetration behavior, and wood-furnish characteristics.
- Integrate artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced analytics with laboratory research to generate predictive models that optimize bond performance, process efficiency, raw-material usage, and total cost in wood-mill operations.
- Develop structure-property-process understanding for pMDI systems using analytical, thermal, rheological, microscopy, and mechanical testing methods.
- Interpret laboratory and pilot data to define performance windows, identify root causes, and uncover opportunities for product and process optimization.
- Translate research findings into practical recommendations for scale-up, plant trials, manufacturing implementation, and customer-facing technical support.
- Partner cross-functionally with R&D, process engineering, manufacturing, commercial teams, and external stakeholders to align innovation priorities with business strategy and mill-performance goals.
- Document experimental methods, model outputs, conclusions, and next steps in technical reports, presentations, and project updates while maintaining high standards for laboratory safety, environmental stewardship, and compliance.
Key Responsibilites- Plan, prioritize, and execute hands-on laboratory programs focused on pMDI formulation, application, and performance improvement.
- Investigate curing mechanisms and reaction pathways involving isocyanate chemistry, water interactions, and wood-surface functionality.
- Develop and optimize aqueous pMDI suspension or emulsion systems with attention to stability, viscosity growth, processing windows, and final bond performance.
- Build and refine AI- and data-driven models using laboratory, pilot, and manufacturing data to predict adhesive behavior, optimize formulations, and improve mill throughput, quality, and cost performance.
- Evaluate bonding performance using relevant test methods such as internal bond, dimensional stability, pull-off, lap-shear, and other application-specific metrics.
- Characterize material behavior using techniques such as viscosity measurement, thermal analysis, microscopy, spectroscopy, surface analysis, and imaging methods to understand penetration, wetting, and interfacial interactions.
- Apply rigorous data analysis, statistical methods, and design of experiments to convert complex findings into clear technical conclusions and actionable recommendations.
- Partner with manufacturing and process teams to define trial plans, critical variables, risk-mitigation actions, and scale-up pathways for implementation in wood-mill environments.
- Prepare technical summaries and present results to leadership, project teams, and commercial partners with decision-support insights grounded in both scientific and model-based evidence.
- Monitor scientific, patent, regulatory, and competitive developments in pMDI, wood adhesives, AI-enabled materials research, and formaldehyde-free binder technologies to inform innovation strategy.
- Contribute to intellectual property generation, technical publications, and knowledge capture as appropriate.
- Support troubleshooting of product or process issues by identifying root causes and proposing corrective actions in collaboration with internal and external partners.
Qualifications and ExperienceRequired- Ph.D. in Polymer Science, Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Wood Science, Data-Enabled Materials Research, or a closely related technical discipline; or M.S. with significant directly relevant industrial research experience.
- 10+ years of experience in polymer, adhesive, isocyanate, polyurethane, or related reactive resin research and development.
- Demonstrated expertise in structure-property relationships, formulation science, laboratory experimentation, and translating data into practical product and process insight.
- Experience applying statistical analysis, design of experiments, modeling, and/or artificial intelligence tools to research, development, or manufacturing optimization problems.
- Hands-on experience with material characterization and performance testing relevant to reactive resin systems.
- Strong technical writing, problem-solving, and communication skills with the ability to influence technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Working knowledge of laboratory safety practices and chemical handling requirements for reactive materials.
Preferred- Industrial experience with pMDI or related isocyanate technologies in wood composites, coatings, adhesives, binders, or composite materials.
- Knowledge of wood composite manufacturing processes, including OSB, MDF, plywood, or particleboard production.
- Experience with aqueous suspension or emulsion systems, rheology, wetting and penetration studies, and curing kinetics.
- Experience developing predictive models or applying machine learning, multivariate analysis, or digital experimentation tools in laboratory or manufacturing environments.
- Familiarity with scale-up from lab to pilot or plant environments and supporting customer or mill trials.
- Track record of invention disclosure, patent support, technical publication, or proprietary know-how generation.
- Understanding of sustainability drivers, formaldehyde-free technologies, and evolving market and regulatory requirements in engineered wood applications.
Key Competencies- Deep technical expertise in polymer and reactive resin chemistry
- Scientific curiosity and innovation mindset
- Strong experimental design and analytical rigor
- Problem solving and root-cause analysis
- Ability to translate technical complexity into actionable recommendations
- Project management and prioritization
- Cross-functional collaboration and influence
- Clear written and verbal communication
- Attention to detail and disciplined documentation
- Commitment to safety, compliance, and continuous improvement
Key Performance Indicators- Achievement of project milestones, technical deliverables, and development timelines
- Quality, reproducibility, and statistical rigor of experimental work
- Number and impact of formulation, process, or performance improvements advanced to pilot or commercial evaluation
- Success rate of scale-up recommendations and plant or customer trial outcomes
- Strength of technical documentation, presentations, and knowledge transfer
- Contribution to intellectual property, invention disclosures, publications, or proprietary know-how
- Effectiveness in solving technical issues and reducing development risk
- Collaboration effectiveness with R&D, operations, commercial teams, and external partners
- Adherence to safety, environmental, and compliance expectations
- Contribution to strategic innovation goals in pMDI and formaldehyde-free adhesive technologies
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