Application Development Scientist

Eastman is seeking an experienced Application Development Scientist to support the Coatings business within its Technology organization in India. This role will focus on the development, formulation, testing, optimization, and commercialization of innovative ink and packaging solutions for film- and paper-based flexible packaging applications. India is a dynamic and rapidly evolving market for specialty chemicals, packaging, printing, and sustainable materials. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work with leading customers, printers, converters, packaging manufacturers, and brand owners while contributing to the growth of advanced packaging solutions in India and, where appropriate, broader regional markets. This is a customer-facing, technically influential role that combines laboratory development, application engineering, technical service, market insight, and business collaboration. It offers meaningful opportunities to grow as a subject matter expert, customer-facing technical leader, and contributor to new product and business development initiatives.

Description

The Application Development Scientist will provide technical leadership in ink formulation, printing processes, packaging substrates, coatings, converting operations, and sustainable barrier technologies. The individual will develop and implement solutions that address customer requirements related to performance, regulatory compliance, product safety, cost, manufacturability, and sustainability. The role will collaborate closely with Technology, Marketing, Sales, Business Development, Regulatory, Technical Service, and other internal teams. External collaboration will include customers, printers, converters, packaging manufacturers, brand owners, and other participants across the packaging value chain. Knowledge of solvent-based ink systems, paper-based packaging, flexible packaging structures, and sustainable packaging technologies will be highly valuable. Key Responsibilities

Provide technical leadership in ink properties, formulation design, raw materials, printing processes, packaging substrates, converting operations, performance testing, and application requirements. Lead customer-facing projects involving the design, development, optimization, scale-up, and commercialization of ink materials and formulations. Develop and optimize film- and paper-based flexible packaging solutions, including multilayer structures incorporating paper substrates, coatings, inks, adhesives, and sustainable barrier materials. Apply knowledge of inkjet, flexographic and gravure printing, lamination, metallization, coating, filling, and sealing processes to resolve technical challenges and improve packaging performance. Characterize paper and polymeric substrates, coatings, barrier properties, print performance, adhesion, durability, chemical resistance, appearance, and other critical packaging attributes. Design and execute laboratory experiments, establish performance testing programs, interpret results, and provide data-driven recommendations. Develop and maintain packaging and ink specifications, test methods, technical reports, product documentation, and regulatory or compliance-related information. Engage customers and the broader packaging value chain to understand unmet needs, identify opportunities, and prioritize development activities aligned with business strategy. Communicate technical value propositions clearly and credibly and influence customer decision makers to adopt new ink and packaging solutions. Provide technical support during customer trials, plant evaluations, troubleshooting activities, and product commercialization. Monitor industry trends, emerging technologies, competitive developments, customer requirements, and regulatory changes related to inks, flexible packaging, paper substrates, sustainability, and product safety. Collaborate with Marketing, Sales, Business