Research Associate - Materials Chemistry

Client Overview:
Our client is a growing materials innovation company that is currently expanding its commercialization and production operations efforts. They are currently looking to add a Research Associate - Materials Chemistry to their team.

Salary/Hourly Rate:
$28/hr - $38/hr (Based on relevant experience)

Position Overview:
The Research Associate - Materials Chemistry will support hands-on testing, development, and scale-up of advanced materials. This individual will prepare chemical solutions, conduct material-treatment trials, adjust variables such as pH, concentration, temperature, and processing time, and evaluate how these changes affect material properties and performance. The ideal candidate will have a strong foundation in organic and wet chemistry, sharp observational skills, and the ability to apply scientific reasoning.

Responsibilities of the Research Associate - Materials Chemistry:

• Conduct wet-chemistry and material-processing experiments using aqueous formulations, polymers, dyes, softening agents, acids, bases, and other treatment components.
• Prepare, weigh, mix, and add chemical ingredients according to established formulations and experimental procedures.
• Monitor and adjust variables such as pH, temperature, chemical concentration, processing time, mixing conditions, and order of addition.
• Apply knowledge of acid-base chemistry and chemical interactions to support troubleshooting and process adjustments.
• Operate and calibrate laboratory equipment, including pH meters, IR instrumentation, mixers, and other material-processing equipment.
• Evaluate samples for differences in color, softness, texture, flexibility, uniformity, and overall performance.
• Identify subtle changes between samples and clearly explain how processing conditions may have influenced the results.
• Accurately document formulations, batch details, processing conditions, observations, and test results.
• Support product-development trials, sample preparation, pilot runs, process optimization, and scale-up activities.
• Maintain clean and organized laboratory areas while following chemical-handling, PPE, environmental, and safety requirements.
• Collaborate with Technical, Quality, Operations, and Product Development teams.

Required Experience/Skills for the Research Associate - Materials Chemistry:

• 1 - 2 years of relevant laboratory or industry experience preferred; recent master's graduates with substantial hands-on research experience are encouraged to apply.
• Strong foundation in organic chemistry and wet-chemistry principles, including acid-base interactions and pH-dependent material behavior.
• Experience preparing chemical solutions, adjusting pH, mixing formulations, and following multistep experimental procedures.
• Strong observational skills and the ability to recognize, describe, and document subtle differences between material samples.
• Detail-oriented, collaborative, proactive, and able to work independently in a laboratory environment.

Preferred Experience/Skills for the Research Associate - Materials Chemistry:

• Familiarity with IR analysis and the calibration and use of pH meters is strongly preferred.

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor's or master's degree in Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Materials Science, Polymer Science, or Chemical Engineering is required.

Benefits:

• Atrium Care Package available, upon eligibility (including healthcare plans, discount programs, and paid time off).

Job Wrapping ID: #LI-AJ3

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EOE/M/F/D/V/SO

Position ID: 404946