Principal Lab Scientist

About the role

The Amcor R&D Lab delivers chemical and materials testing in support of technology research, product development, regulatory compliance, and customer needs across North America and globally. The Lab Scientist owns key analytical instrumentation, leads method development, manages data interpretation and communication, and coordinates testing support across AFNA, Core R&D, and other business units. The role also drives best-practice sharing across the global network and contributes to lab safety initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Develop expertise and perform testing across a broad range of analytical instruments.
• Conduct chemical and polymer analysis to characterize raw materials and support R&D, customers, and industry/regulatory partners.
• Lead method development, protocol creation, statistical validation, and documentation of analytical test methods.
• Prepare and communicate comprehensive lab reports and interpret data for internal and external stakeholders.
• Serve as technical expert and equipment owner for HPLC, ICP, GC-MS and additional instruments as needed.
• Oversee instrument maintenance, troubleshooting, and vendor coordination.
• Identify opportunities to improve lab capabilities, methods, efficiency, and service quality.
• Correlate analytical results to end-use performance and understand method/instrument limitations.
• Support purchasing of supplies and new lab equipment in collaboration with procurement.
• Participate in industry groups, external labs, and customer interactions to advance analytical capability.
• Develop research proposals aligned with business needs and evaluate new instrumentation.
• Create orientation materials and conduct onboarding for new R&D employees and co-ops.
• Support EHS activities including risk assessments, hazardous chemical inventory/disposal, and NMAP hazard reviews.

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, or Engineering with 5+ years related experience; or bachelor’s degree with 15+ years industry experience.
• Background in related fields such as polymer processing, inks, adhesives, or materials.
• Demonstrated experience in method development and statistical tools (e.g., DOE, Gage R&R).
• Proficiency with HPLC, ICP, and GC-MS.
• Strong knowledge of polymers, processing, and packaging terminology.

What We Value

• Safety Leadership: Models safe behaviors and strengthens safety culture.
• Customer Focus: Prioritizes effectively and communicates clearly with lab customers and R&D partners.
• Results Orientation: Delivers accurate, thorough, and timely results; identifies alternate analytical strategies when needed.
• Collaboration: Builds strong networks and engages with internal/external experts to solve analytical challenges.
• Innovation: Publishes or shares research on method development and analytical techniques.

What You Bring

• Graduate degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, or Engineering with 5+ years related experience; or bachelor’s degree with 15+ years industry experience.
• Background in related fields such as polymer processing, inks, adhesives, or materials.
• Demonstrated experience in method development and statistical tools (e.g., DOE, Gage R&R).
• Proficiency with HPLC, ICP, and GC-MS.
• Strong knowledge of polymers, processing, and packaging terminology.

Our Expectations

• We Expect Our People To Be Guided By The Amcor Way And Demonstrate Our Values Every Day To Enable The Business To Win.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Equal Opportunity Employer/Minorities/Females/Disabled/Veterans/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision plans.
• Flexible time off, starting at 80 hours paid time per year for full-time salaried employees.
• Company-paid holidays starting at 8 days per year and may vary by location.
• Wellbeing program & Employee Assistance Program.
• Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account.
• Life insurance, AD&D, short-term & long-term disability, and voluntary benefits.
• Paid Parental Leave.
• Retail Savings Plan with company match.
• Tuition Reimbursement (dependent upon approval).
• Discretionary annual bonus program (initial eligibility dependent upon hire date).