R&D Analytical Chemist

This position will be posted for a minimum of 3 days and will remain open until filled or adjusted based on the volume of applicants.

Further your career at Ball, a world leader in manufacturing sustainable aluminum packaging. Achieve extraordinary things when you join our team, and make a difference in your professional development, the community, and around the globe!

Ball is thrilled to receive Newsweek's 2023 Top 100 Global Most Loved Workplace award! As a sustainable product leader, we have over 16,000 global team members. From endlessly recyclable aluminum cans, and cups, to aerosol bottles, our goal is to contribute to a better community, society, and world.

Position Overview:

As a Research & Development (R&D) Analytical Chemist, you are a key member of the R&D Engineering team;   reporting to the Manager, Global Beverage R&D Engineering.  You will contribute to the success of Ball by advancing research and development initiatives, particularly in the areas of material science, aluminum package compatibility, and test method development.    You will manage routine laboratory operations while conducting innovative experiments to support product and material development.

Your Key Areas of Responsibility Include:

• Conduct a broad range of standard and experimental test methods to evaluate aluminum package performance, quality, and compatibility with various materials with minimal oversight.
• Independently lead the design, plan, and execution and documentation of experiments to test hypotheses under controlled conditions, ensuring scientific rigor and accuracy in all studies.
• Take initiative to develop and optimize test protocols and methodologies for new or emerging critical parameters.
• Proactively identify, recommend, and implement improvements in laboratory equipment and procedures to enhance research capabilities and efficiencies aligned with industry best practices.
• Actively engage with and listen to team members, cross functional partners, and customers to proactively seek out ways to support their efforts by identifying and delivering practical solutions.
• Lead collaboration with internal and external Labs including suppliers, universities, contract labs, and industry committees, while managing individual contributions to team projects with minimal direction.
• Perform Gage R&R (Repeatability and Reproducibility) studies to assess and minimize experimental variability, ensuring the reliability of results.
• Wholly responsible for  the routine calibration, maintenance, and troubleshooting of laboratory equipment, including:  Potentiostats, Liquid Chromatography (LC), Gas Chromatography (GC), Mass Spectrometry (MS), Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) systems, and other specialized instruments.
• Proactively ensure compliance with all laboratory safety protocols and take initiative in maintaining a clean, organized, and hazard-free work environment.
• Maintain organized records of all chemical substances, fluids, and compressed gases in strict accordance with safety protocols and regulatory guidelines.

Required Experience and Skills: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, Material Science, or a closely related field.
• 3  or more years’ experience in analytical chemistry, with a focus on electrochemistry, corrosion science, coatings, and surface analysis or similar analysis.
• Working knowledge of safety protocols related to handling chemicals (solvents, acids, bases, and volatile substances) and working with electrical currents.
• Demonstrated Skills:
  • Ability to work independently as well as within a team; with strong self-management skills, organizational skills and effective prioritization of  initiatives in alignment with project goals and organizational priorities.
  • Operating advanced laboratory instrumentation, including: Potentiostats, Liquid Chromatography (LC), Gas Chromatography (GC), Mass Spectrometry (MS), and/or Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) or similar type of equipment.
  • Conducting experimental work with a high level of precision and attention to detail, including data analysis and interpretation.
  • Written and verbal communication, with the ability to effectively document results and communicate complex scientific concepts.
  • Show sound judgment and strong decision making in expanding investigations when warranted, to better serve project requirements. 
  • Proficiency in software programs such as:  Microsoft Teams, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and Excel.

Preferred Experience and Skills:  

• 3 or more years’ experience conducting research technology advancements by performing literature, patent and other information sources search; and demonstrated ability  to condense research into concise descriptions for technical and non-technical team members.
• Packaging materials and their interactions with various environments and substances.
• Working knowledge of statistical methods and familiarity with statistical software such as Minitab, JMP or Tableau.  

Compensation & Benefits

• Hiring Salary Range: $74,600 - $104,160 (Salary to be determined by the applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.).
• This role will be eligible to participate in the annual incentive compensation plan.
• Ball includes a comprehensive benefits structure, Go to our career site and click "Total Rewards" to learn more.
• Onsite Work Environment: This position is based in Westminster, CO and requires regular in-person engagement by working on-site 5 days per week. Travel (up to 10%) and local commute between Ball locations and other possible non-Ball locations may be required. 

When submitting your application to Ball, we encourage you to emphasize your skills, experience, and qualifications that align with the role. Under Colorado, California, Connecticut, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania law, you have the right to exclude or redact age-related details—such as your date of birth, school attendance dates, or graduation dates—from your resume, cover letter, CV, or other supporting documents (e.g., transcripts, certificates). 

Ball Corporation is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We actively encourage applications from everybody. All qualified job applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, aboriginality, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, veteran status, age, political affiliation or any other non-merit characteristic. 

When you join Ball you belong to a team of over 16,000 members worldwide. Our products range from infinitely recyclable aluminum cans, cups to aerosol bottles that enable our customers to contribute to a better world.

Each of us has a deep commitment to diversity and inclusion which is the foundation of our culture of belonging.

Everyone at Ball is making a difference by doing what we love. Because what we create may change, but what we will always make is a difference.

Please note the advertised job title might vary from the job title on the contract due to local job title structure and global HR systems.
No agencies please.

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