Research Scientist (Organic Chemistry) - Specialty Chemicals Job

JOB DIMENSIONS

R&D position within the Thiochemicals laboratory in King of Prussia, PA.  Planning, managing, and executing laboratory work to drive our innovation projects.

KEY ACTIVITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Arkema Thiochemicals Division provides organosulfur products (thiols/mercaptans, sulfides, disulfides, polysulfides, sulfonyls) for applications in electronics manufacturing, polymer and monomer processing and manufacturing, agrochemicals, oilfield, petroleum refining, mining, and natural gas odorization.  For the successful candidate, this position offers exciting exploration of a large variety of chemistries, applications and processes, along with the high impact within a very successful business.

The Research Scientist is expected to independently execute lab activities, drawing from his or her deep technical expertise and experience.  The role will drive new product and application development through project team leadership, hands-on contributions to laboratory work, direct customer interactions and support, and collaboration with the global Thiochemical team.

A successful candidate will have demonstrated abilities to

-           Develop, execute, and lead research related to small organic compound synthesis in multiple efforts directed at technical and commercial applications of innovative technologies within a stage-gate protocol.  This may include internal or external development of new product/processes/applications at Arkema facilities, external sites, or customers. (65%)

-           Provide technical leadership for cross-functional development teams involving internal and external business, scientific, and engineering collaborators. (25%)

-           Follow external developments in select technologies, develop and prove out new project proposals and intellectual property. (10%)

CONTEXT AND ENVIRONMENT

-           To be most effective, the candidate will need to lead research projects, perform hands-on laboratory work, and manage day-to-day laboratory operations involving the safe handling of hazardous chemicals, acting on broad direction from supervisor. 

-           Key attributes for a successful candidate will include technical expertise, strong communication and organization skills, strong scientific curiosity seeking out new information and phenomena, and the ability to rapidly assimilate and act on that information, high initiative, and ability to adapt to changing targets. 

-           Travel on company business as needed but not expected to exceed 15%

-           Supports the site HES policy and complies with all regulatory and internal requirements

REQUIRED EDUCATION/QUALIFICATIONS /WORK EXPERIENCE

Ph.D. in Chemistry with 3-15 years’ industrial/post-doc experience with strong hands-on knowledge/experience in small organic molecule synthesis and purification with demonstrated record of success as shown by patents, publications, or scale-up/commercialization of new products/processes.  Additional critical attributes are excellent verbal and written communication skills and a strong desire to initiate/lead collaborations.  Strong pluses would include knowledge of organosulfur chemistry and applications (thiols/mercaptans, sulfides, disulfides, sulfonyls), catalytic and photochemical chemistries, and successful development, scale-up and commercialization of new chemical products and manufacturing processes.

DEMONSTRATED COMPETENCIES

-           A record of success in small molecule/organic chemical synthesis, separation, and characterization (various analytical techniques), ideally including scale-up to pilot- and commercial-scale production.

-           Strong pluses would include knowledge of organosulfur chemistry and applications (thiols, mercaptans, sulfides, disulfides, sulfonyls), homo/heterogenous catalysis and photo/radical chemistry.

-           Organize, report and give initial analysis of data and suggestions for future experiments based on results