Development Chemist (at Gelest Inc.)

Job Summary

Gelest, Inc., part of the Mitsubishi Chemical Group, is seeking a Development Chemist to join our team in Morrisville, PA. This role focuses on contributing to the delivery of innovative specialty chemical solutions globally through the design, development, and optimization of chemical processes.

About the Role

The Development Chemist will be responsible for synthesizing organic reactions, evaluating chemical routes, optimizing processes, and troubleshooting. They will also scale laboratory processes to pilot and full-scale production, ensuring compliance with safety, quality, and regulatory standards.

Responsibilities

• Design and perform laboratory experiments involving synthetic organic reactions, route evaluation, optimization, and troubleshooting.
• Generate and analyze process data to identify improvement opportunities.
• Scale laboratory processes to pilot and full production, ensuring robust transfer of technology and clear documentation.
• Utilize analytical techniques (GC, NMR, FTIR, MS) to characterize materials, monitor reactions, and assess process performance.
• Document experiments, observations, and recommended improvements in lab notebooks and technical reports.
• Support process hazard assessments, safety reviews, and compliance with environmental, health, and safety regulations.
• Maintain awareness of industry developments, new technologies, and specialty chemical manufacturing best practices.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• 1-3+ years of experience in specialty chemical synthesis, chemical process development, or scale-up preferred.
• Hands-on experience with laboratory techniques and equipment preferred.
• Background in synthetic organic chemistry, including multi-step synthesis and reaction mechanism understanding is preferred.
• Experience with process development, including reaction kinetics, heat, and mass transfer, mixing, and scale-up considerations is preferred.
• Hands-on experience with analytical instrumentation (GC, NMR, FTIR, MS) is preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, including technical reporting.
• Commitment to maintaining a safe and compliant work environment.
• Must be able to wear required PPE (safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hat; respirators as needed).
• Must be able to climb ladders and stairs to collect samples and observe processes.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds and operate a forklift.
• Must be able to work 2nd shift: Four (4) 10-hour shifts, Monday–Thursday, 12:30 PM – 11:00 PM.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of industry developments, new technologies, and specialty chemical manufacturing best practices.
• Ability to maintain a safe and compliant work environment.
• Committed to continuous learning and professional development.

Skills

• Hands-on experience with laboratory techniques and equipment.
• Experience with process development, including reaction kinetics, heat, and mass transfer, mixing, and scale-up considerations.
• Hands-on experience with analytical instrumentation (GC, NMR, FTIR, MS).
• Excellent written and verbal communication, including technical reporting.
• Commitment to maintaining a safe and compliant work environment.

Benefits

Gelest offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Generous paid time off
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and optional supplemental plans for employees and their families
• 401(k) with a competitive company match
• Company-paid Life Insurance, AD&D, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability
• Eligibility for an annual performance bonus
• Company-provided uniforms, work boots, and PPE

Pay

The salary range for this position is $27.00 (entry level) - $35.00 per hour. Factors such as scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, job-related skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and business considerations may influence base pay offered. This salary will be subject to a geographic adjustment (according to a specific city and state), if an authorization is granted to work outside of the location listed in this posting.