PhD Chemical Engineer

Founded in 1920, Eastman is a global specialty materials company producing a broad range of products found in everyday items. With the purpose of enhancing the quality of life through material innovation, Eastman collaborates with customers to deliver cutting-edge products and solutions while maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability. The company employs approximately 13,000 people worldwide and operates in over 100 countries, with headquarters in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA. For more information, visit www.eastman.com.

Responsibilities

Please note – This posting is for recent or upcoming PhD graduates to join our team in 2027. PhD graduation date must be in 2026 or anticipated graduation in 2027.

Job Duties/Responsibilities

• Utilize expertise and fundamental knowledge to solve problems and deliver breakthrough processes and/or products
• Design, plan, and execute catalyst evaluation campaigns to measure activity, selectivity, conversion, stability, and deactivation under relevant process conditions
• Develop process concepts and models for the production of new products based on proposed chemistry routes and early laboratory data
• Apply engineering and scientific fundamentals to existing and new areas of interest
• Actively participate and lead multidisciplinary project teams
• Collaborate with laboratory chemists, technicians, technologists, and engineers to execute laboratory and pilot plant experiments
• Work safely and promote a safe work environment
• Identify innovative solutions to improve economic viability of new processes/products
• Effectively communicate ideas and results verbally and in writing with technology, business, and manufacturing stakeholders

Qualifications

• Required Degree: PhD in Chemical Engineering, Heterogeneous Catalysis, Reaction Engineering, or related field
• Fundamental knowledge of polymer and/or small molecule process technology or have a high potential to develop this level of expertise
• Safe execution of all laboratory processes with demonstrated ability to effectively identify hazards associated with processes being explored and take appropriate actions
• Ability to lead and contribute as a member of multidisciplinary teams
• Ability to work independently
• Highly motivated to achieve results and move projects forward at an efficient pace
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to summarize data and effectively present key messages across the technical enterprise, as well as various groups such as marketing, manufacturing, regulatory, QA/QC, supply chain, customer service, sales, and external customers and suppliers
• Desire to engage well with technicians/operators, peers, and management and to collaborate to find innovative solutions