Professional Development Program - Chemical Engineering and Chemistry

Seeking December 2026 graduates to start full-time employment in January 2027! This is an approximately 18-month program featuring three unique rotations for entry-level professionals or recent graduates. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without the need for current or future visa sponsorship.

About the role

DuBois Chemicals is seeking entry-level professionals or recent graduates to build a high-impact career in Research & Development and Operations organizations. The Graduate Chemistry Professional Development Associate Program is a structured, multi-disciplinary early-career position designed to develop the next generation of technical experts. Participants will complete multiple rotational assignments across key functional areas including Product Development, Analytical Laboratory Services, Raw Material Management, and Operations, depending on business needs and the participant's desired career path. Rotations at an off-site location for laboratory or operational assignments may also be included.

This is an on-site role, working at DuBois' Corporate headquarters located in Sharonville, OH.

Responsibilities

• Product Development / Research
  • Assist with generating new product ideas, feasibility studies, and development of chemistries for assigned application areas
  • Support planning, execution, and documentation of laboratory research projects
  • Maintain accurate laboratory notebooks and ensure proper handling of confidential information
  • Participate in new product development processes, commercialization activities, and review of BOM and SDS documentation
  • Help identify and implement test procedures and methods for product performance monitoring
  • Contribute to competitive product evaluations and raw material qualification efforts
  • Participate in scale-up activities, production batching observations, and troubleshooting off-spec materials
• Analytical Laboratory
  • Perform analytical testing on internal and customer samples using established laboratory methods
  • Meet testing turnaround time expectations and departmental metrics
  • Maintain records related to equipment calibration, certification, and maintenance
  • Support chemical, elemental, microbiological, or molecular analysis as appropriate
  • Prepare samples for third-party laboratory testing and OEM submissions
  • Assist with analytical method development and data interpretation
  • Compile and summarize analytical data for internal stakeholders
• Raw Material Management
  • Assist with evaluation of alternate raw materials to improve cost, performance, or supply continuity
  • Support sourcing and qualification of new raw materials in collaboration with R&D and Supply Chain
  • Maintain documentation and data tracking related to raw material changes
• Operations / Manufacturing
  • Observe and support manufacturing and blending operations to understand production processes
  • Assist with scale-up of new formulations and manufacturing troubleshooting
  • Participate in continuous improvement initiatives related to process optimization and operational efficiency
  • Derive actionable insights by partnering with associates in Buying, Scheduling, and Production areas
• Optional Rotation: Off-Site Laboratory Assignment
  • Participate in a rotation at a partner or satellite location
  • Support local research, analytical, or application testing activities and/or production

Requirements

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills
• Demonstrated interest in laboratory work, applied science, or product development
• Ability to work effectively both independently and in cross-functional teams
• Willingness to travel for rotations, training, or customer support activities as needed

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biology, Materials Science, or a related scientific discipline.