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Catalyst Chemist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Susteon

Catalysis Scientist

Morrisville, NC · On-site

PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or Materials Science with 4+ years of heterogeneous catalyst R&D experience. MS with 8+ years of directly relevant industrial or national-lab experience also ...

Pajarito Powder

R&D Chem Tech

Albuquerque, NM · On-site

$18.50 - $22/hr

... in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific field * 1-3 years of laboratory experience (academic or industry) preferred * Familiarity with standard lab equipment and catalyst ...

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How much do catalyst chemist jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 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.

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

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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 81% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 13% Contract. Highlights an 94% In-person, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $64,466 per year, or $31 per hour.

Postdoctoral Fellow - Photo Chemistry

Indiana University Academic Positions

Bloomington, IN • Hybrid

$50K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 19 hours ago

Job description

Position Details
Title Postdoctoral Fellow - Photo Chemistry Appointment Status Non-Tenure Track Department IU Bloomington Chemistry Location Bloomington Position Summary
The Department of Chemistry in the College of Arts + Sciences at Indiana University, consists of a well-rounded research community with cutting-edge expertise in a wide variety of modern disciplines including analytical chemistry, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry, materials chemistry, and biochemistry.
The Zaleski Lab in the Department of Chemistry at Indiana University is accepting applications for a postdoctoral research position. The position involves the design and synthesis of hybrid molecular and nanomaterial catalysts (see here for recent work: ACS Appl. Bio. Mater.https://doi.org/10.1021/acsabm.6c00169; Chem. Sci. 2025, 16, 255; ACS Catal. 2020, 10, 5, 3349-3359, Accts. Chem. Res. 2019, 52, 1957. The desired start date is July 1, 2026, although this is flexible in order to accommodate the needs of outstanding candidates.
The successful applicant will use a deep understanding of synthetic and photochemical transformations including laser characterization methods. Motivated applicants with a Ph.D. in any area of chemistry will be considered. A candidate with a strong background in catalyst synthesis and materials design is ideally suited for the project. We seek to employ someone with demonstrable experience materials characterization, photochemistry and spectroscopy.
The Zaleski Lab is a dynamic multidisciplinary laboratory environment. The successful applicant will play an integral role within our growing team and will emerge with a skill set that is equally relevant to academia and industry. Trainees receive regular guidance and feedback to ensure progress is made toward their career goals, whatever those may be. Trainees are also afforded the scheduling flexibility needed to maintain an appropriate work life balance and a safe laboratory environment.
Responsibilities:

1. Manage own academic research and administrative activities. This involves small scale project management and coordinating multiple aspects of work to meet deadlines.
2. Adapt existing, and develop new, scientific techniques and experimental protocols to achieve research objectives.
3. Use specialist scientific equipment in a laboratory environment.
4. Assist in setting up a new research laboratory at IU (e.g. setting up Schlenk lines, ordering equipment etc.)
5. Contribute ideas for new research projects.
6. Undertake comprehensive and systematic literature reviews and write up the results for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
7. Collaborate in the preparation of scientific reports and journal articles and occasionally present papers and posters.
8. Act as a source of information and advice to other members of the group on scientific protocols and experimental techniques.
9. Represent the research group at external meetings/seminars, either with other members of the group or alone.
10. Carry out collaborative projects with colleagues in partner institutions, and research groups.
Basic Qualifications
Required Qualifications:

Ph.D. in Chemistry at time of appointment.
Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with organometallic synthesis and relevant analytical techniques (NMR, SXRD, mass-spectrometry etc.) is essential. The preferred candidate will have a deep understanding of the chemistry of the main group elements.
Department Contact for Questions
Questions regarding the position or application process can be directed to: Prof. Jeff Zaleski, Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, 800 E. Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, IN 47405, zaleski@indiana.edu.
Additional Qualifications Salary and Rank $50,000/Postdoctoral Fellow Special Instructions
The initial appointment for this position will be for 12 months. Additional 12-month extension will be available based on performance. A competitive salary along with a benefits package will be offered.
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, CV, 5-page maximum research proposal, and contact information for three references to http://indiana.peopleadmin.com/postings/33331. Applications will be reviewed upon receipt.
"Indiana University is an equal employment and affirmative action employer and a provider of ADA services and prohibits discrimination in hiring. See Indiana University Notice of Non-Discrimination here which includes contact information.

For Best Consideration Date 06/10/2026 Expected Start Date 07/01/2026 Posting Number IU-101573-2026

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