Research Chemist I

At L.B. Foster, our culture reflects our passion for integrity, accountability and safety.  We have a long history of providing a safe workplace for our employees, striving to be good stewards for the environment and establishing strong and respectful relationships with our customer and communities.  These fundamentals have provided the foundation upon which we have managed our business for more than a century.

We continue to strengthen our culture with a focus on SPIRIT.  Within the company lies a spirit of teamwork and innovation that drives a culture around continuous improvement and high performance.

As a purpose-driven business, L.B. Foster looks to combine financial success with social and environmental responsibility.  By integrating purpose into our business model, strategies and operations we strive to create a more sustainable, equitable and prosperous world. 

We innovate to solve the worlds most complex infrastructure problems. 

• Rail Solutions our end-to-end critical engineering solutions fulfill an essential role in maintaining the safe and reliable operation of railroad networks around the world.
• Infrastructure Solutions – we are experts in the design, manufacture and deployment of advanced technologies that positively impact the built environment.

To learn more about our innovation to solve global infrastructure challenges, visit https://www.lbfoster.com/en

Research Chemist I works collaboratively and independently within the consumable products group. This role provides a general technical support for commercial consumable products and engages in a variety of R&D activities revolving heavily around formulations. Supervision of other team members, such as COOP students or laboratory technicians, may be required.

• →Provide technical support for commercial consumable products, such as friction modifiers, greases, lubricants, and solid sticks.
• →Support new product development activities through a stage gate process to deliver against technical targets/project scope.
• →Engage in a variety of R&D activities including but not limited to scientific research, product formulation, researching and requesting samples of raw materials, analytical testing, performance testing, scale up manufacturing testing, data analysis and interpretation, accurate record keeping, and communication of results.
• →Exhibit innovation and identify new approaches to broaden and expand the functionality and performance of company’s consumable products.
• →Responsible for all aspects of lab organization, safety, group meeting program, etc with respect to their assigned projects.
• →Training & development of personnel working within their projects regarding health and safety, lab equipment, SOP’s, and chemistry background of the products.
• →Responsible (along with other team members) for manufacturing quality control of all consumable products, including manufacturing audits and regular communication with toll manufacturers.
• →Design and implement changes in laboratory or manufacturing processes and procedures to improve safety, costs, and efficiency.
• →Support laboratory 5S, EHS, maintenance and calibration of all lab instrumentation, and continuous improvement activities.

• B.Sc. or M.Sc. in Chemistry or potentially related physical sciences
• Some experience in planning and conducting R&D projects, good to have.
• Some experience in conducting projects that includes university projects, COOP projects.
• COOP and/or other job experience (1-2 years)
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office

• Strong ability to plan and deliver technical work.
• Strong goal setting, planning and prioritizing skills.
• Proficient communication, interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Excellent time management skills and the ability to produce quality work within tight timeframes.
• Ability to travel as required to other sites, manufacturers, and field trials.

• Priority on work/life balance and schedule flexibility
• 100% tuition reimbursement
• Flexible work culture and environment
• Career development and advancement opportunities