Analytical Scientist

Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSAM), headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, and Bridgestone Europe, Middle East and Africa (BSEMEA), headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, operate collectively as a Bridgestone West strategic region. This region services the strategic business needs of teams across the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa. BSAM and BSEMEA are subsidiaries of Bridgestone Corporation, globally headquartered in Japan. Bridgestone and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand products and solutions to address the needs of a broad range of customers and industries.

Note: A preferred candidate has been identified for this role. This position is part of the Materials Chemical Lab at the Bridgestone Americas Material Laboratories, located at the Americas Technology Center in Akron, OH. The Analytical Scientist will work in a fast-paced and collaborative environment, focused on scientific research, test method development and testing of new products, and advanced materials. The successful candidate will be responsible for supporting day-to-day operations of an analytical laboratory that conducts rubber and raw material testing for product development.

• Adheres to safety, quality and lab cleanup standards and contributes to continuous improvement initiatives for these standards as assigned.
• Contributes towards the chemical characterization of new rubber compounds and rubber materials as well as non-rubber materials for tire applications based on business needs.
• Performs routine, semi-routine testing and some non-standard/developmental analyses to support new product development, raw material evaluations, plant technical issues, complaint investigations.
• Devises research methods, prepares technical specifications, and specifies laboratory test equipment and processes.
• Analyzes test results and communicates them effectively in summary reports and presentations.

• Assists in making recommendations concerning acquisition, implementation and use of new technological equipment, systems, infrastructure and materials.
• Maintain and troubleshoot existing equipment and validate testing protocols
• Builds and maintains strong collaborative partnerships with internal customers and stakeholders.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Required:

• A demonstrated technical understanding of general analytical/physical chemistry techniques, instrumentation, and theory, and their application for solving problems.
• Experience working in an industrial or academic analytical/chemical testing laboratory.
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work on teams and with customers.
• Experience in troubleshooting, maintaining, and calibrating laboratory equipment and analytical instruments.

Preferred:

• A basic knowledge of tire and rubber chemistry, formulation, and production, polymers, and/or field failure analysis experience is desired.
• Experience working on cross-functional team initiatives and contributing to technical projects.