Sr. Scientist

INVISTA is seeking a Sr. Scientist to join our Katy Technology Center team. This role will support both product development and process development initiatives through hands-on experimental research, analytical testing, process optimization, and scale-up activities. The successful candidate will combine experimental design and technical leadership with strong laboratory execution, analytical capabilities, and operational excellence to advance research objectives from concept through larger-scale implementation.

This hourly role follows a 9/80 schedule, offering a balanced work arrangement with every other Friday off.

Our team is focused on transforming laboratory concepts into larger-scale experimental processes. The group includes scientists and experimental technologists supporting bench-scale, pilot-scale, and semi-works activities. Team members conduct experimental research, build and operate experimental systems, perform analytical testing, evaluate process performance, and develop new technologies. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with scientists, technologists, business leaders, and specialty groups across the organization while working primarily from the Texas Technology Center.

• Design, plan, and execute laboratory and pilot-scale experiments supporting product and process development efforts.
• Conduct hands-on experimental work involving wet chemistry and air-sensitive or air-free chemistry techniques, including manipulation of air- and moisture-sensitive materials using Schlenk line and/or glove box techniques.
• Support the development, operation, optimization, troubleshooting, and maintenance of laboratory, pre-pilot, pilot-scale, and semi-works equipment and processes.
• Construct, modify, troubleshoot, and maintain experimental systems and apparatus, including reaction vessels, columns, autoclaves, heat exchange systems, pumps, and related equipment.
• Perform sample preparation, separation, derivatization, quantitative analysis, and analytical testing using techniques such as GC, LC/HPLC, NMR, and related laboratory instrumentation.
• Maintain thorough documentation of experimental work, including procedures, operating instructions, experimental records, statistical analyses, interpretation of results, technical reports, and recommendations for achieving research objectives.
• Develop and document detailed procedures that support the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of experimental equipment and systems.
• Apply design of experiments (DOE) methodologies and advanced experimental planning techniques to improve research effectiveness and generate actionable insights.
• Analyze, interpret, summarize, and communicate experimental results, including recommendations for future work and the value created through research activities.
• Partner with scientists, technologists, business leaders, and technical teams across multiple locations to advance research objectives.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to colleagues while helping develop team capabilities.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to environmental, health, and safety responsibilities, including adherence to safe work practices for handling hazardous, flammable, corrosive, and toxic materials and operation of experimental equipment and systems.
• Work in laboratory, pilot-scale, and semi-works environments while utilizing required PPE, including safety glasses, goggles, fire-resistant clothing, respirators, breathing air, hearing protection, and other task-specific protective equipment.
• Perform physical activities associated with laboratory and pilot-scale operations, including lifting up to 50 pounds.

• 5+ years of experience in an R&D environment.
• Demonstrated experience conducting hands-on experimental research and analytical testing.
• Experience interpreting analytical data and experimental results.
• Experience operating, troubleshooting, and maintaining laboratory-scale experimental equipment and instrumentation.
• Experience with laboratory sample preparation, analytical method execution, and documentation of experimental work.
• Demonstrated ability to safely handle hazardous chemicals and operate experimental systems in accordance with established safety practices.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Chemical Engineering, or another relevant scientific discipline.
• Experience building, modifying, troubleshooting, and maintaining experimental systems and equipment.
• Experience applying design of experiments methodologies and advanced experimental planning techniques.
• Experience developing operating procedures and technical documentation for laboratory and pilot-scale equipment.
• Familiarity with industrial research environments that bridge laboratory development and commercial-scale processes.
• Experience communicating technical findings and recommendations to diverse technical and business stakeholders.

This role is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.