R&D Chemist

Solstice Consulting Group is seeking an experienced Research and Development (R&D) Chemist for our client located in Houston, Texas. This role is an in-office position located in East Houston on a 9/80 work schedule.

- Bachelors Degree in Chemical Engineering or Chemistry and 5+ years experience required

- 3+ years laboratory experience in a manufacturing environment required

- Base salary of $90k - $120k DOE plus bonus opportunity and excellent benefits

The R&D Chemist is a hands-on laboratory position using knowledge and experience in organic chemistry to test new processes, separations, or improvements for existing processes. A demonstrated track record of lab-based chemistry experience in synthesis/reactions and purification is required. Process optimization and/or scale-up experience is highly desired, along with hydrogenation experience.

Role Responsibilities:

- Practices good laboratory oversight including inventory management and documentation.

- Works safely and leads efforts in maintaining a safe, organized working environment.

- Ability to independently conduct sophisticated hazard reviews based on SDS, desired chemistry, and safety documents.

- Detailed knowledge of organic chemistry reactions and mechanisms.

- Integration of chemical concepts with laboratory data to explain results and create predictions.

- Construction and modification of sophisticated laboratory setups for synthetic reactions and distillations.

- Records, organizes, and performs complex analyses of data from laboratory experiments.

- Creates accurate, thorough, detailed laboratory reports that include all technical and analytical information.

- Searches scientific literature and intellectual property databases to find solutions to broadly defined problems.

- Proactively identifies opportunities for process improvements and proposes solutions.

- Performs maintenance on laboratory equipment such as: GCs, titrators, vacuum pumps, liquid pumps, flash point, boiling point range, and thermal testing apparatus.

- Intermediate mechanical skills, familiarity with hand tools, and mechanical troubleshooting experience are highly desired.

- Basic experience with process modeling and ability to learn details of distillation and reaction modeling.

- Ability and willingness to help supervise and teach younger chemists.

- Ability to clearly present data and results to broader audiences in written and verbal formats. Presentation skills are a plus.

- Currently hold or have the ability to obtain a TWIC Card.

Requirements:

- Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering and 3+ years of relevant laboratory experience in a manufacturing environment required. Advanced degree a plus.

- Detailed knowledge of organic chemistry and analytical techniques for analyzing organic mixtures is essential. Familiarity with commodity chemical production is highly desired.

- Fundamental knowledge in thermodynamics, distillation, and separations.

- Excellent mechanical skills to properly handle, maintain, and repair laboratory equipment.

- Hands-on experience with complex laboratory apparatus such as reactors, distillation columns, and vacuum systems.

- In-depth knowledge of general laboratory practices and wet chemical procedures, with a focus on organic reactions.

- Solid experience and familiarity with MS Office applications, especially Word and Excel.

- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

- Ability to effectively plan lab experiments and execute work in a way that supports multiple business priorities