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Inductive Bio

Medicinal Chemist

New York, NY · On-site

$210K - $250K/yr

Inductive Bio is an AI medicinal chemistry partner .We build virtual labs that help drug discovery ... 21M ARPA-H CATALYST award to develop next-generation toxicity models. We are seeking an ...

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How much do catalyst chemist jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for catalyst chemist in the United States is $30.99, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.04 and $35.58 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a catalyst chemist?

Catalyst chemists are scientists who specialize in designing, developing, and optimizing chemical catalysts—substances that speed up chemical reactions without being consumed in the process. They work in laboratories to study how catalysts function and apply their knowledge to improve industrial processes, such as refining fuels, creating pharmaceuticals, or producing environmentally friendly materials. Catalyst chemists often collaborate with engineers and other scientists to develop innovative solutions that make chemical reactions more efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a catalyst chemist?

To thrive as a Catalyst Chemist, you need a strong background in chemistry or chemical engineering, typically with a bachelor's or advanced degree, and expertise in catalysis and reaction mechanisms. Familiarity with analytical instruments such as gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, and specialized software for chemical modeling is often required. Critical thinking, strong problem-solving abilities, and effective collaboration skills help Catalyst Chemists excel in research and development environments. These skills ensure the safe and efficient development of catalysts that improve chemical processes and drive innovation in various industries.

What are some of the typical challenges faced by catalyst chemists when developing new catalysts for industrial applications?

Catalyst Chemists often encounter challenges such as optimizing catalyst performance for specific reactions, ensuring stability and selectivity under industrial conditions, and scaling up laboratory results to full production levels. Balancing activity, cost, and environmental impact while adhering to strict safety protocols is also a common hurdle. These challenges require close collaboration with process engineers, analytical chemists, and production teams to iterate and refine catalyst formulations for real-world use.

What is the difference between Catalyst Chemist vs Chemical Engineer?

AspectCatalyst ChemistChemical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Chemistry or Chemical ScienceBachelor's or Master's in Chemical Engineering
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, R&D departments, catalyst development facilitiesManufacturing plants, process design, plant operations
Industry UsageFocus on catalyst formulation, testing, and optimizationDesigning and optimizing chemical processes and plant systems
Common Search/ComparisonOften compared for roles in research and developmentCompared for process design and plant management roles

While both Catalyst Chemists and Chemical Engineers work within the chemical industry, Catalyst Chemists primarily focus on developing and testing catalysts in research settings. Chemical Engineers, on the other hand, design and optimize chemical processes for large-scale production. Understanding these differences helps job seekers identify the right career path based on their skills and interests.

More about Catalyst Chemist jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Catalyst Chemist jobs?

The most popular types of Catalyst Chemist jobs are:

What states have the most Catalyst Chemist jobs?

States with the most job openings for Catalyst Chemist jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Catalyst Chemist jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Catalyst Chemist jobs are:

Catalyst Chemist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Catalyst Chemist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 82% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 79% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $64,466 per year, or $31 per hour.

Researcher - Polyolefin Catalyst Development

Braskem

Pittsburgh, PA • Hybrid

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

New

Job description

Department: Innovation & Technology

Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Travel Involved: Less than 10%

Job Type: Hybrid 

Description:

Braskem is looking for a highly motivated Researcher to join the U.S. Polyolefin Catalysis team at the Innovation and Technology Center in Pittsburgh. The role involves contributing to the discovery, development, and scale-up of heterogeneous polyolefin catalysts, translating business needs into innovative or improved catalyst solutions. Preference will be given to candidates with a strong background in Ziegler-Natta catalyst development and polymerization reaction engineering.

The candidate will work with the Global Catalysis team to understand business requirements and develop new catalyst programs to support product innovation, boost performance, or enhance existing technologies. Responsibilities include conducting freedom-to-operate (FTO) and technology landscape assessments to identify opportunities and inform catalyst discovery strategies.

The role requires hands-on catalyst synthesis, planning polymerization experiments, evaluating catalyst performance, and analyzing polymerization results and characterization data to understand structure-performance relationships and guide further development. Additionally, the researcher will assist in catalyst scale-up and technology transfer from laboratory to pilot and industrial stages, collaborating with global research, engineering, analytical, pilot, manufacturing, and external partners.

Key Responsibilities Include: 
  • Demonstrate an uncompromising commitment to Braskem's safety with strong knowledge of safe laboratory practices, including proper handling of hazardous, air-sensitive, and pyrophoric chemicals, chemical storage, waste disposal, and SDS requirements.
  • Participate in project teams conducting catalyst research and develop and implement comprehensive technical project plans.
  • Plan and initiate independent research programs in support of business and technology goals.
  • Identify catalyst technology opportunities based on business needs and contribute to the development of new catalyst concepts and research programs.
  • Conduct literature, patent, technology landscape, and Freedom to Operate (FTO) analyses to support catalyst discovery, guide technology development, and identify potential intellectual property opportunities.
  • Take full ownership of hands-on catalyst synthesis, including developing synthesis plans, safely handling catalyst precursors and reagents, executing catalyst preparation procedures, troubleshooting synthesis challenges, and maintaining accurate experimental records.
  • Plan polymerization experiments, evaluate catalyst performance, and analyze polymerization results together with catalyst and polymer characterization data to guide further catalyst development.
  • Support catalyst technology scale-up and technology transfer from laboratory development through pilot and manufacturing implementation, including technical troubleshooting as needed.
  • Maintain current knowledge of heterogeneous catalysis, polyolefin catalyst technologies, polymerization science, and relevant scientific and technical developments.
  • Build and expand Braskem's core catalyst technology through new scientific discovery, external collaboration, and development of intellectual property.
  • Transfer technical knowledge through presentations, technical reports, and day-to-day collaboration with fellow researchers, chemists, engineers, and technicians.
  • Train and mentor fellow researchers, chemists, and technicians in catalyst preparation, laboratory techniques, data interpretation, and safe experimental practices.
  • Work effectively as a collaborative team member within the U.S. and Global Catalysis teams.
  • Demonstrate excellent written and oral communication skills
Requirements:
  • The ideal candidate holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or Polymer Science with some postdoctoral or industrial experience in catalyst synthesis, discovery, and development.
  • Experience in Ziegler-Natta catalyst synthesis for polyethylene and polypropylene is preferred.
  • The candidate should possess strong hands-on skills in synthetic chemistry, catalyst preparation, reaction planning, troubleshooting, and handling hazardous chemicals, including inert-atmosphere techniques.
  • A solid understanding of heterogeneous catalysis, catalyst characterization, and structure-performance relationships is essential.
  • Skills in olefin polymerization, reaction engineering, problem-solving, teamwork, and excellent communication are also required.
Preferred Skills, Education, and Experience: 
  • Ph.D. in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science
  • Less than 10 years of post-Ph.D. industrial and/or postdoctoral experience in catalyst synthesis, discovery, and development.
  • Strong preference for candidates with experience in Ziegler-Natta catalyst synthesis and development for polyethylene and/or polypropylene
  • Strong safety mindset
  • Strong focus on mentoring
  • Track record of working in a team environment
  • Strong technical/problem solving aptitude
  • Initiative, a drive for results, and ability to solve complex problems by identifying and enrolling appropriate resources
  • Must be team- and results-oriented with the ability to lead and implement new technology improvements.
  • Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills

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