R&D Chemist

Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, Monument Chemical serves the specialty chemicals industry - and produces a variety of solvents, intermediates, specialty fuels, and other specialty products, as well as offers industry-leading Custom Manufacturing services. At Monument, you'll find careers in several engineering and skilled trades roles and disciplines. Working together like a family, our teams drive continual improvement in quality, cost, lead time, flexibility, and customer service. Whether you are a recent graduate or a seasoned professional, we offer a diverse range of opportunities where you will be challenged and encouraged to grow.

The R&D Chemist analyses feed stock samples and evaluates chemical reactions and distillation processes in pilot plant units for internal and external customers.

Essential Functions

• Reports To: R&D Director
• Accurate analysis of feedstock samples, incl. GC, GCMS, FTIR, AA & Wet Chem.
• Able to conduct risk reviews based on SDS's, desired chemistry and safety info from the public domain.
• Able to use / modify process simulation software to design reactions & distillation processes.
• Setup of lab distillation columns or chemical reactors in configurations based on simulated process design
• Intensive cooperation and communication with the Supervisor in the unit start-up and operation phase.
• Maintenance of product quality by intensive unit supervision and handling.
• Identifies opportunities for process improvements.
• Writes laboratory reports including all technical and analytical information
• Practice of good laboratory hygiene and housekeeping.
• Follows safety rules
• Part of projects, collaboration with other business function team members
• The role could cover/rotate within all Monument Chemical sites in the Houston area.

• Additional duties and responsibilities as assigned, including but not limited to continuously growing in alignment with the Company's core values, competencies, and skills.

Education Qualifications

• Required Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering with deep knowledge in organic chemistry
• Preferred Master's Degree in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering with deep knowledge in organic chemistry
  

Experience Qualifications

• Preferred 3+ years of laboratory experience in a chemical manufacturing environment

Skills and Abilities

• Possess fundamental knowledge in distillation as well as thermodynamics and kinetics of chemical reactions.
• Able to integrate chemical reactions into the distillation process
• Able to investigate batch and continuous hydrogenation reactions
• Able to select catalysts by performance tests
• Possess good manual skills to properly handle the necessary equipment.
• Possess knowledge of routine chemical and general laboratory practices with a reasonable knowledge of gas chromatography.
• Possess good writing skills in order to write and present laboratory results.
• Possess the ability to work effectively in a highly productive and responsible way in order that lab test results are sufficient for a scale up procedure.
• Possess good interpersonal skills concerning cooperation and communication with team members and customers.
• Good project management skills

Licenses and Certifications

• Evidence of process simulation training Required

Working Conditions/Physical Demands

• Walking. Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long periods of time, up to 12 hours per day.
• Sitting. Working from a seated position for up to 12 hours per day.
• Climbing. Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, ramps and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms one to two times per day.
• Balancing. Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling and walking, standing or crouching on narrow or slippery surfaces.
• Stooping. Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist.
• Kneeling. Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.
• Crouching. Bending the body downward and forward by bending legs and spine.
• Reaching. Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
• Pushing. Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force, exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 15 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force consistently to move objects forward, downward or outward.
• Pulling. Using upper extremities to exert up to 25 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 15