Research & Development Scientist - Starch

World Centric is a leading manufacturer of compostable food service packaging. This position will be located in our new site at Metro Atlanta. We are looking for a Research Scientist to develop starch-based products primarily for food packaging.

Responsibilities

• Research and develop novel starch-based food packaging products
• ·Conduct research independently (from the conception and planning to execution of a research idea) and also function as a part of team
• Organize and co-ordinate the lab to manufacturing process
• Maintain and expand the knowledge of starch-based materials development in an interdisciplinary field
• Keep up with scientific and patent literature and apply these to research
• Communicate ideas, results, opportunities and recommendations to internal stakeholders
• Communicate findings for IP development and transfer solutions to production together with engineers and scientists
• Manage general laboratory maintenance and logistics

Requirements

Experience Requirements

• Experience with structure-property-function relationship of starches
• Experience with chemical modifications of starches and characterization of these
• Experience with native starches, modified starches, thermoplastic starches, starch composites and blends, applications of these in paper products
• Experience with starch processing techniques and equipment - extrusion, compression molding, injection molding, thermoforming, jet-cooking, pressure reactors, film casting etc.
• Experience with relevant testing and analytical methods
• Experience with applied research to produce products and materials for market sales
• Experience working with process engineers and manufacturing engineers to scale up lab processes to pilot and full-scale production.

Qualifications

• ·PhD in Chemistry, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science, Material Science or other relevant qualifications with 4+ years of experience is preferred.
• Preparation of reports, patents and manuscripts
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Hands on and resourceful in accessing information, materials, chemicals, equipment needed for research.
• Ability to work in a team, give and receive feedback