Sr Scientist, Critical Materials
Role Purpose
This role serves as a key synthetic chemist supporting Corning’s strategic efforts in Critical Materials, including pharmaceutical intermediates, energetic materials, and critical minerals. The position centers on innovation in material synthesis and extraction using AFR technology as a core enabling platform, with responsibilities spanning synthetic route design, process development, data generation, IP support, and cross-functional project leadership and execution.
Key Responsibilities
Designing novel molecules and reaction pathways to enable efficient synthesis and processing of target materials across batch and flow platforms.
Developing, optimizing, and scaling chemical processes, including reaction screening, condition optimization, troubleshooting, and translation from lab-scale to pilot or production-relevant systems.
Driving innovation in critical minerals extraction, leveraging fundamental chemistry principles to improve yield, selectivity, cost-efficiency, and process robustness.
Collaborating with cross-functional teams, including materials characterization, engineering, and project management, to deliver integrated solutions and meet project objectives.
Ensuring safe and effective laboratory operations, including contributing to the development and continuous improvement of safety practices, protocols, and compliant experimental workflows.
Monitoring scientific and technological trends in synthetic chemistry, process chemistry, and related fields (including flow chemistry) to identify and drive new opportunities for innovation and business impact.
Collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and documenting experimental data to support technical decision-making, intellectual property generation, and patent filings.
Travel Requirements / Work Hours
Up to 10 % in North America
40 hours / week; flex time as needed
Experiences/Education - Required
PhD degree in Polymer or Organic Chemistry is required.
Familiarity with analytical techniques such as NMR, GC-MS, UPLC, and FTIR.
Experience in critical mineral extraction is highly preferred.
US citizen or permanent resident is highly preferred.
Desired Skills
Demonstrated experience with batch synthesis of small organic molecules and/or polymers, including synthesis, purifications, and characterizations; experience in scale-up is highly preferred.
Excellent documentation and data analysis skills for intellectual property and reporting.
Effective communication skills, including the ability to interact with customers and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.
Experience working in a fast-paced project environment to meet deadlines.
Pay
The range for this position is $87,079.00 - $119,734.00 assuming full time status. Starting pay for the successful applicant is dependent on a variety of job-related factors, including but not limited to geographic location, market demands, experience, training, and education.
Benefits
Company-wide bonuses and long-term incentives align with key business results and ensure you are rewarded when the company performs well.
100% company-paid pension benefit with fixed contributions that grow throughout your career.
Medical, dental, vision, paid parental leave, family building support, fitness, company-paid life insurance, disability, disease management programs, paid time off, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support you and your family.
Recognition program to celebrate successes and reward colleagues who make exceptional contributions.
Equal Employment Opportunity
We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected status. We consider requests for reasonable accommodations in accordance with applicable laws. Individuals with disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs may request reasonable accommodations to participate in the application or interview process, perform essential job functions, or access other benefits and privileges of employment.