Research Scientist I

Oil-Dri Corporation of America is a leading manufacturer and supplier of specialty sorbent products for consumer and business-to-business markets that has been voted as a Top 100 workplaces in the Chicago Tribune. Oil-Dri’s products are sold in the pet care, animal health, fluids purification, agricultural, sports field, industrial and automotive markets. Oil-Dri controls millions of tons of specialty mineral reserves, including calcium bentonite, attapulgite, and diatomaceous shale. The company’s mines and manufacturing facilities are located in Georgia, Mississippi, Illinois, and California. Oil-Dri is a family-controlled and operated organization that emphasizes honesty, integrity, and accountability. The company is dedicated to fulfilling its mission to Create Value From Sorbent Minerals.

Job Summary

An individual in this on-site position in our Pet Care division performs complex, non-conventional research assignments, requiring the application of non-standard scientific techniques. He/she is a fully qualified professional who, operating with limited supervision, is expected to recognize and recommend potential ideas within his/her area of expertise. While this role is primarily lab-based, the individual must be able to travel up to 10% of the time.

Essential Functions

• Conducts independent research and/or development work on major research projects
• Provides oral and written reports of project progress to upper management
• Expected to play an increasingly active role in supporting existing products as well as contributing to the creation of new products
• Performs complex, non-conventional research assignments, requiring the application of non-standard chemistry techniques
• Plans, designs, and implements research projects under the framework of a loosely defined idea or problem
• Demonstrates an ability to draw non-obvious conclusions and make recommendations for new or modified research projects
• Provides solutions to complex problems requiring innovation in methodology 
• Expected to recognize and recommend new ideas of commercial importance within his/her area of expertise
• Provides support to Manufacturing and Sales & Marketing during product improvement/ new product introduction
• Helps set goals and objectives for projects
• Maintains a high level of competence through an up-to-date awareness of emerging technologies

Education

• Minimum of B.S. degree in Chemistry with minimum of 2 years experience in R&D / New Product Development / Product Formulation

Qualifications

• Highly motivated contributor to departmental and company objectives
• Record of providing solutions to complex problems where little precedent exists through the use of ingenuity, creativity, and scientific skills
• Demonstrated capacity for independent, innovative, proactive approach to research and/or process improvement, but comfortable working in a team environment
• Capacity for making major decisions in the creation, planning, execution, and interpretation of research projects
• Comfortable with diverse responsibilities and multiple project assignments
• Ability to quickly master complex equipment, instruments, and techniques
• Expected to possess good working knowledge of research principles, theories, and techniques, with specialization in at least one field
• Ability to write reports and effectively transmit oral results
• Mastery of word processing, spreadsheets, and graphics
• Good math skills, including algebra and statistics
• Ability to work under limited supervision
• Ability to lift up to 30 lbs.

Oil-Dri is committed to providing equal opportunity for all teammates and qualified candidates without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, mental or physical disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Accordingly, all employment decisions and personnel actions or programs such as hiring, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, transfers, reductions in workforce, and training, etc. will be consistent with the principle of equal employment opportunity.