R&D Chemist – Coatings & Adhesives Job Listing at Kelly Services in Elgin, IL (Job ID US3594000_BH9931938)

Description

Kelly Science has an immediate opening for a R&D Chemist – Coatings & Adhesives for our growing client near Elgin, IL
Full-time
Mon-Fri
7am-4pm
$55,000 – $65,000/year

Are you a hands-on chemist who loves solving complex formulation puzzles? Do you thrive in a lab environment where your ideas directly shape real-world products? If so, we're looking for you!

We're a dynamic, growth-oriented company specializing in paints, coatings, and adhesives—and we're building something special. We're looking for a chemically curious, results-driven R&D Chemist with 3–5 years of industrial experience to join our team and help develop the next generation of high-performance coatings and adhesive products.

Whether you're currently working in coatings, adhesives, resins, or similar materials, this is a chance to bring your ideas to life and contribute to meaningful product innovation.

What You'll Do

• Formulate and Innovate: Develop and refine waterborne and solvent-based formulations tailored to industrial needs.

• Test and Optimize: Perform physical and performance testing (e.g., viscosity, adhesion, gloss, flexibility, corrosion resistance), interpreting data and making smart adjustments.

• Collaborate Across Teams: Work closely with production, quality, and sales to ensure smooth product transitions from lab to plant—and from idea to market.

• Solve Problems: Investigate product issues or customer complaints and provide practical, effective solutions.

• Keep Records: Maintain organized lab notebooks, formulation logs, and test data with precision and clarity.

What You Bring

• 2–5 years of industrial lab experience (preferably in paints, coatings, or adhesives)

• A degree in Chemistry or a related science field (preferred) — OR equivalent industry experience

• Familiarity with key lab instruments (viscometers, gloss meters, adhesion testers, etc.)

• Strong documentation, analytical, and troubleshooting skills

• Team player mentality with the ability to communicate clearly across departments

Why Join Us?

• Stability with growth – We're investing in long-term innovation and want people who will grow with us.

• Hands-on impact – This is not a job where you'll be lost in a massive R&D department. Your work will be seen and valued.

• Collaborative environment – You'll work with passionate teammates across departments.

• Career path – You'll gain the chance to move into more senior roles as we expand.

Schedule & Work Environment

• Monday–Friday, day shift (standard hours)

• Lab-based with occasional pilot or production floor time

• PPE provided and required per safety standards

Let's Talk

If you're ready to take your formulation skills to the next level in an environment that values both innovation and practicality, we'd love to connect.

Apply now and help us shape the future of coatings and adhesives.

As part of our promise to talent, Kelly supports those who work with us through a variety of benefits, perks, and work-related resources. Kelly offers eligible employees voluntary benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, term life, whole life, accident insurance, critical illness, a legal plan, and short-term disability. As a Kelly employee, you will have access to a retirement savings plan, service bonus and holiday pay plans (earn up to eight paid holidays per benefit year), and a transit spending account. In addition, employees are entitled to earn paid sick leave under the applicable state or local plan. Click here for more information on benefits and perks that may be available to you as a member of the Kelly Talent Community.

Why Kelly® Science & Clinical?

Kelly Science & Clinical is your connection to premier scientific and clinical companies looking to hire industry experts just like you. Our team creates expert talent solutions to solve the world's most critical challenges. Every day, we match science professionals with dream jobs that fit their skills, interests, and career goals—it's the way we think job searching should be. Nearly 100 percent of our science recruiters have a professional background and education in science, so we know a thing or two about the science market and how to get your expertise noticed.

About Kelly

Work changes everything. And at Kelly, we're obsessed with where it can take you. To us, it's about more than simply accepting your next job opportunity. It's the fuel that powers every next step of your life. It's the ripple effect that changes and improves everything for your family, your community, and the world. Which is why, here at Kelly, we are dedicated to providing you with limitless opportunities to enrich your life—just ask the 300,000 people we employ each year.

Kelly is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and we take affirmative action to recruit, employ, and advance qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in the workforce. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to the Kelly Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California's state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment. Kelly participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

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