Application Scientist Coatings & Inks

This is the role Senior technical lead for water based coatings and inks across the EMEA region with primary responsibility for EU customers, regulations and market development. Drive product development, scale up and application science for industrial and decorative water based systems; act as the principal technical resource for customers, sales and internal stakeholders. Champion materials science driven solutions that accelerate commercialization and adoption of Eastman water based technologies.This postion is based in the Eastman European Technolgy Center in Ghent - Zwijnaarde (Belgium) and requires regular on-site presence.Key Responsibilities AreProduct development & scale up Lead formulation development of water borne resins, pigment dispersions and full-system coatings/inks for industrial and decorative applications. Plan and execute lab to pilot scale transfers; ensure reproducible manufacturing and commercial readiness. Use DoE and data driven approaches to optimize performance, cost and sustainability metrics. Application science & testing Design and run application specific test programs: rheology, film formation, drying/cure kinetics, adhesion, hardness, chemical/abrasion resistance, gloss, color/opacity, weathering. Correlate laboratory metrics with real world performance on substrates and processes common in EMEA/EU markets. Customer engagement & technical leadership Serve as senior technical contact for key accounts across EMEA (EU focus): run customer trials, on site troubleshooting, specification support and pilot plant activities. Translate customer requirements into technical proposals, sample programs and commercialization plans. Cross functional collaboration Work closely with Sales, Product Management, Regulatory, Quality and Manufacturing to shape product roadmaps and ensure compliance with EU regulations (e.g., VOC limits, biocide rules, CLP/REACH considerations). Provide technical input to marketing, tender responses and commercial contracts. Documentation, training & knowledge transfer Produce clear technical reports, specification sheets, application guides and training materials tailored for internal teams and customers. Deliver technical workshops and training across regions and support sales enablement. Continuous improvement & innovation Identify opportunities for cost reduction, sustainability improvements and IP generation. Standardize test methods, improve lab workflows and implement best practices for reproducibility and safety.This is what you bring Degree in Materials Science, Polymer Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or closely related discipline; advanced degree (MSc/PhD) preferred. Minimum 5 years hands on product development experience with water based coatings and/or inks for industrial and decorative markets. Proven track record of formulation development, pilot scale up and successful customer trials/commercialization. Strong materials science understanding of film formation, polymer substrate interactions and colloidal systems. Practical experience with key characterization techniques: rheology, particle sizing, gloss, adhesion, hardness, accelerated weathering, and dry/cure monitoring. Prior experience supporting EU customers and familiarity with EU regulatory landscape (VOC, REACH, CLP, biocide/ preservative constraints). Excellent problem solving, root cause analysis and experimental design (DoE/statistics). Strong verbal and written communication; ability to present technical content to diverse audiences. Commercial awareness and ability to translate technical outcomes into customer value and business opportunities. Project management skills; ability to lead cross functional, multi site projects. Comfortable with travel across EMEA (typical 30–50%, flexible based on business needs). Multilingual: English required; proficiency in one or more European languages (Dutch, French, German, Spanish or Italian) highly desirable. Familiarity with sustainability drivers (low VOC, bio based content, circularity) is an advantage.Why choose Eastman?It’s about growth and your long-term success. At Eastman, your career path can take many routes—each offering growth opportunities, competitive salary and benefits, and a globally growing work environment. Eastman fosters a culture of diversity steeped in teamwork and employee involvement, a place where dedicated individuals turn great ideas into materials that make a difference in everyday life. We support and encourage one another and believe that leveraging diversity in our thoughts and experiences allows us to excel in business.