Job Description:

• 1) Conducts research to determine composition, properties, behavior, utilization, development, treatments, and processing methods of wood and wood products: Analyzes physical, chemical, and biological properties of wood.

• 2) Studies methods of curing wood to determine best and most economical procedure.

• 3) Develops and improves methods of seasoning, preservation, and treating wood with substances to increase resistance to wear, fire, fungi, insects, and marine borers.

• 4) Conducts tests to determine ability of wood adhesives to withstand water, oil penetration, temperature extremes, and stability, strength, hardness and crystallinity of wood under variety of conditions.

• 5) Evaluates and improves effectiveness of industrial equipment and production processes.

• 6) Investigates processes for converting wood into commodities, such as alcohol, veneer, plywood, wood plastics, and other uses.

• 7) Determines best type of wood for specific application, and investigates methods of turning waste wood materials into useful products.

• 8) May specialize in research, quality control, marketing and sales, materials engineering, management or administration, manufacturing, production, or process development.