The Chemist in Innovation R&D is responsible for leading proof of concept (POC) projects that explore new materials, technologies, and methods to enable product differentiation and profitability within the Performance Coatings Group (PCG). This role serves as a technical bridge between emerging innovations and the business units, ensuring that validated concepts are effectively communicated, transferred, and adopted by the divisions.
The position requires strong experimental design capability, cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to translate early stage findings into actionable recommendations for product development teams across PCG.
Job duties include contact with other employees and access confidential and proprietary information and/or other items of value, and such access may be supervised or unsupervised. The Company therefore has determined that a review of criminal history is necessary to protect the business and its operations and reputation and is necessary to protect the safety of the Company’s staff, employees, and business relationships.

This role will be located at Sherwin-Williams Morikis Global Technology Center located at 6745 Miller Road, Brecksville, OH 44141.

• BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be legally authorized to work in the country for which you are applying for employment (without now or in the future needing sponsorship for employment work visa and/or permanent residence status).

• Bachelor’s degree in Organic chemistry, Polymer chemistry, Material Science.

• Must be at least 18 years of age.

• 3+ years of experience in industrial coating formulation, application, and testing

• Proven understanding of polymer structure and property relationships

• Experience with Project Management and delivering presentations.

• Proven understanding of coating chemistry/crosslinking reactions and curing mechanisms

• PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• PhD in Organic chemistry, Polymer chemistry, Material Science

• 2+ years of coating experience in Automotive, Protective & Marine, Industrial Wood, General Industrial, Coil, or Packaging

• Knowledge and experience with analytical and materials science tools

• DFSS and DOE

Travel Requirements: 10%

This position is not eligible for sponsorship for work authorization now or in the future, including conversion to H-1B visa.

Successful candidate will be required to sign an Employee Restrictive Covenant Agreement where permitted by law.

Lead Proof of Concept Projects:

• Drive the execution of POC projects from concept to recommendation stage.
• Evaluate the fit, performance, and feasibility of new materials, technologies, and methods originating from:
  o Emerging technology sources
  o Supplier innovations
  o Internal polymer development
  o Raw material risk reduction initiatives
• Generate data driven conclusions that help determine next steps for PCG divisions.

Conduct Applied Research to Solve Division Challenges:

• Engage with R&D teams across all global PCG divisions to understand technical pain points and unmet needs.
• Design and execute experiments that address these challenges and deliver meaningful insights.

Collaborate with Analytical & Materials Science Teams:

• Partner closely with analytical chemistry and materials science groups to support POC project characterization.
• Leverage their expertise to develop deeper understanding of material behaviors and recommend performance driven solutions to divisions.

Communicate Findings and Transfer Knowledge:

• Develop clear, comprehensive technical summaries, presentations, and recommendations.
• Lead knowledge transfer and training activities as POC work transitions into division-led development projects.
• Ensure divisions have the information, data, and guidance needed for successful scaleup.

Intellectual Property Development:

• Identify novel concepts, compositions, or process innovations generated during POC projects.
• Work with Legal/IP teams to file appropriate patents or defensive publications.