Job Title:
Dispersion Scientist / R&D Chemist – Inkjet Textile Formulations
Location:
Waurn Ponds, Victoria |
Department:
R&D |
Reports To:
Textile R&D Manager
About Us:
Xefco is an Australian-owned company that creates innovative textile and coating technologies with a vision to create a more sustainable future for the textile industry. Incorporated in 2018, we have a track record of developing novel technologies that have been adopted by some of the world's leading outdoor apparel and fashion brands.
Xefco has pioneered a novel plasma technology, called Ausora that provides a sustainable dyeing and finishing solution to eliminate water pollution from textile manufacturing. Ausora has been developed through a long-standing research partnership with Deakin University and is set to bring a disruptive manufacturing solution to the textile industry together a broad range of other potential applications.
About the Role:
We are seeking a talented
Dispersion Scientist
or R&D Chemist to join our R&D team and lead the development of advanced inkjet formulations for textile printing. This role is perfect for a chemist or materials scientist who thrives at the intersection of colloidal chemistry, formulation science, and cutting-edge inkjet technology. You'll have the opportunity to work on innovative pigment dispersions, scaling lab concepts into full-scale manufacturing, and directly influencing the next generation of textile printing solutions.
Responsibilities:
· Design and optimise pigment ink formulations for textile inkjet systems, ensuring excellent jetting reliability and fabric compatibility.
· Select and test surfactants, binders, humectants, and other additives to enhance ink stability, adhesion, and overall print quality.
· Control pigment particle size and distribution through advanced milling and dispersion techniques.
· Perform stability testing, including zeta potential, sedimentation, and rheological analysis, to guarantee shelf-life and consistency.
· Validate printhead performance by testing droplet formation, jetting reliability, and long-term nozzle health.
· Assess ink–fabric interactions to ensure vibrant colour, penetration, fastness, and superior textile feel.
· Partner with production teams to scale laboratory-developed inks into reliable manufacturing processes.
· Ensure formulations meet all environmental, regulatory, and textile safety standards.
· Implement robust QC protocols to ensure product consistency from raw materials to finished inks.
· Innovate and develop novel ink formulations which may include pigments, binders, and dispersion technologies, contributing to patents and intellectual property strategies for competitive advantage
· Contribute to innovation through new pigment, binder, and dispersion technologies, including intellectual property development.
Requirements:
· Advanced degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related field (PhD preferred) with 10+ years' industry experience.
· Proven experience in colloidal chemistry, pigment dispersion, and ink formulation.
· Hands-on knowledge of particle size reduction, rheological analysis, and surface chemistry.
· Familiarity with inkjet printing technologies and textile printing processes.
· Strong understanding of environmental and safety compliance in ink chemistry.
Who you are:
· Excellent problem-solving skills, creativity, and ability to work cross-functionally in an R&D-driven environment.
· Be self-driven with ability to seek information and solutions from internal and external sources.
· Behave with professionalism, act in good faith, and with honesty.
· Effectively communicate with a team and project partners.
· Use leadership skills to foster a team environment and manage team resources effectively.
· Keep yourself and others safe when you are at work