Jotun MEIA FZ-LLC, the regional hub for global coatings leader Jotun in the Middle East, India, and Africa with 130+ employees, is actively seeking an experienced R&D Senior Chemist to drive innovation in protective coatings and binder systems. This is an exceptional opportunity for a senior chemist passionate about research and development. As R&D Senior Chemist, you’ll own and drive assigned products, assets, and projects end-to-end including formulation, testing, validation, and documentation; independently execute projects and coordinate larger tasks; support compliance with internationally accepted performance and certification requirements; contribute to defining new global and regional innovation projects with sustainability focus; coach junior chemists and technicians; ensure strict HSEQ adherence; and provide technical recommendations based on robust, data-driven development work and knowledge transfer.
About Jotun MEIA FZ-LLC — Global Coatings Innovation Leader
Organization: Jotun MEIA FZ-LLC — Regional hub for Jotun Group in MEIA region
Parent Company: Jotun Group — Global leader in coating solutions with 10,200+ employees
Specialization: Protective coatings, binder systems, coating formulation, innovation
Geographic Focus: Middle East, India, Africa (MEIA) region with 18 legal entities
Mission: Providing meaningful, challenging work through innovation, efficiency, and profitability
R&D Senior Chemist Role — Research Innovation & Product Development
Department: Research & Development, Innovation Center
Primary Focus: Coatings formulation, testing, product development, innovation
Scope: End-to-end project ownership from formulation to market release
Mission: Advancing Jotun’s coating innovation and technical competence
R&D Senior Chemist Position Overview
The R&D Senior Chemist position at Jotun MEIA FZ-LLC represents a senior technical leadership role driving coating innovation and product development across protective coatings, binder systems, and advanced formulations. You’ll be responsible for developing and maintaining products through systematic preparation, testing, and evaluation of coatings, binders, and raw materials while playing an active role in supporting R&D strategy and strengthening technical competence across the organization. Your responsibilities include owning and driving assigned products, assets, projects, tasks, and global transfers end-to-end with planning, formulation, testing, validation, and documentation; independently executing projects and coordinating larger tasks to meet timelines and quality targets while providing technical recommendations based on data; supporting compliance with internationally accepted performance and certification requirements through robust test planning, execution, and interpretation; contributing to defining and initiating new global and regional innovation projects with strong focus on sustainability-driven developments; coaching junior chemists and technicians ensuring knowledge transfer and competence building; and ensuring strict adherence to HSEQ requirements and governance.
As R&D Senior Chemist, you’ll develop formulations optimizing protective coatings performance, conduct performance validation including weathering testing and corrosion resistance assessment, execute accelerated testing programs, support sustainability innovation initiatives, mentor junior research staff, maintain comprehensive technical documentation, collaborate cross-functionally with production and quality teams, ensure compliance with international test methods and standards, identify process improvements in formulation and testing methodologies, and support strategic R&D initiatives supporting market growth. Your expertise combines deep coatings formulation knowledge with performance testing expertise, requiring understanding of binder systems, curing chemistries, and internationally accepted test methods. With a Master’s degree and 10+ years experience (or Bachelor’s with 12+ years, or PhD with 5+ years), strong coatings formulation knowledge, and proven ability to manage projects independently, this position offers excellent opportunity for senior chemistry professionals seeking roles combining technical expertise, product development leadership, and innovation in global coatings industry.
Why This Role Matters: As R&D Senior Chemist at Jotun, you drive protective coatings innovation advancing global markets, develop sustainable coating solutions addressing environmental needs, lead technical teams and knowledge transfer building organizational capability, support compliance with international performance standards, advance senior chemistry career with global coatings leader, work on cutting-edge formulation and testing methodologies, contribute to Jotun’s innovation strategy, and impact millions of coating applications across MEIA region and globally.
Key Responsibilities & R&D Chemist Duties
Product Ownership & Project Management
- Own and drive assigned products, assets, and projects end-to-end
- Manage project planning, formulation, testing, validation, and documentation
- Independently execute projects meeting timelines and quality targets
- Coordinate larger tasks and global transfers
- Provide technical recommendations based on data-driven development
- Support project initiation and strategic development
Coatings Formulation & Development
- Develop formulations optimizing protective coatings performance
- Work with binder systems and curing chemistry expertise
- Create innovative coating solutions addressing market needs
- Support sustainable coating development initiatives
- Formulate solutions meeting performance specifications
- Evaluate raw materials for coating applications
Performance Testing & Validation
- Conduct performance validation including weathering testing
- Execute corrosion resistance and accelerated testing programs
- Support compliance with internationally accepted test methods and standards
- Plan and execute robust test protocols
- Interpret test results and performance data
- Document testing procedures and validation results
Innovation & Sustainability Focus
- Contribute to defining new global and regional innovation projects
- Focus on sustainability-driven coating developments
- Support market growth through innovative solutions
- Identify emerging technologies and applications
- Support environmental sustainability in formulation
- Drive innovation supporting competitive advantage
Team Leadership & Knowledge Transfer
- Coach junior chemists and technicians
- Ensure knowledge transfer and competence building
- Mentor research team members
- Support training on formulation and testing procedures
- Build organizational technical capability
- Lead by example in research excellence
HSEQ & Compliance Management
- Ensure strict adherence to HSEQ requirements and governance
- Maintain raw materials documentation and compliance
- Document formulations and testing protocols
- Ensure test result documentation completeness
- Support regulatory compliance and certifications
- Maintain health, safety, and environmental standards
Qualifications & Requirements
Educational Requirements
- Master’s degree with minimum 10 years relevant experience, OR
- Bachelor’s degree with minimum 12 years relevant experience, OR
- PhD with minimum 5 years relevant experience
Professional Experience
- Extensive coatings formulation experience in protective coatings
- Background in binder systems and curing chemistry
- Performance validation and testing methodology expertise
- Experience with internationally accepted test methods and standards
- Proven ability to manage projects independently
Technical Knowledge & Skills
- Strong coatings formulation knowledge in protective coatings
- Expertise in binder systems and curing chemistries
- Understanding of performance validation methodologies
- Knowledge of weathering and corrosion testing
- Proficiency with accelerated testing procedures
- Understanding of international performance standards
Professional Competencies
- Demonstrated ability to manage tasks and projects independently
- Strong structured approach and follow-up capability
- Excellent problem-solving and analytical thinking
- Leadership capability and team coaching ability
- Strong communication skills (verbal and written English proficiency)
- Data-driven decision-making approach
Career Development & Growth Opportunities
Professional Advancement
- R&D Senior Chemist role with global coatings leader Jotun
- Opportunity to advance to Research Manager or Technical Director positions
- Career development across multiple disciplines and geographies
- Leadership of larger innovation programs and initiatives
Learning & Benefits
- Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package
- Continuous learning opportunities through on-the-job training
- In-house learning programs and professional development
- Career development across Jotun’s global organization
- Leaders focusing on engaging and enabling teams
About Jotun — Global Coatings Innovation & Excellence
Jotun represents a global leader in coating solutions with more than 10,200 employees representing 90 nationalities across continents, demonstrating commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equality. The organization has operated in the MEIA region since 1962, growing to include 18 legal entities focused on achieving success and growth. Jotun’s core values — Loyalty, Care, Respect, and Boldness — guide organizational culture and employee engagement. The company is committed to representing the societies it operates in, promoting equality and zero-tolerance for discrimination, while providing meaningful and challenging work with continued learning and development opportunities.
Career Excellence at Jotun: Join global coatings leader with 10,200+ employees across 90 nationalities, drive protective coatings innovation in MEIA region, advance senior chemistry career with multinational organization, work on cutting-edge formulation and testing, lead technical teams and knowledge transfer, support sustainability-driven developments, access continuous learning and development opportunities, develop career across multiple disciplines and geographies, and contribute to Jotun’s global mission of coating excellence and innovation.
Who Should Apply?
- Senior Chemists: With protective coatings experience
- Research Scientists: From coatings industry backgrounds
- Formulation Specialists: With binder systems expertise
- Product Development Managers: Seeking technical roles
- Materials Scientists: With testing and validation experience
- Innovation Professionals: From chemical industries
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