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Catalyst Chemistry 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 ...

Susteon

Lab Technician

Morrisville, NC · On-site

$17.75 - $23.50/hr

... chemistry out of the lab and into the field. If you want to build the materials behind the next ... Prepare and synthesize heterogeneous catalyst samples under scientific direction, including ...

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How much do catalyst chemistry jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for catalyst chemistry in the United States is $22.26, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.27 and $24.52 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is catalyst chemistry?

Catalyst chemistry is the branch of chemistry that focuses on the study and application of catalysts—substances that increase the rate of chemical reactions without being consumed in the process. This field explores how catalysts work, how they can be designed or improved, and their roles in industrial processes, environmental protection, and energy production. Catalyst chemistry is essential in developing efficient manufacturing processes for chemicals, fuels, and pharmaceuticals, and it plays a vital role in sustainable and green chemistry initiatives.

What are some common challenges faced by chemists working in catalyst chemistry, and how can they be addressed?

Chemists in catalyst chemistry often encounter challenges such as optimizing catalyst performance, scaling up reactions from the lab to industrial settings, and ensuring reproducibility of results. These tasks require a strong understanding of both theoretical and practical aspects of catalysis, as well as close collaboration with chemical engineers and process development teams. Addressing these challenges often involves staying current with the latest research, leveraging advanced analytical techniques, and participating in interdisciplinary problem-solving sessions to develop innovative and efficient catalytic processes.

What is the difference between Catalyst Chemistry vs Chemical Engineering?

AspectCatalyst ChemistryChemical Engineering
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related fields; specialization in catalysis often preferredBachelor's or Master's in Chemical Engineering; focus on process design and optimization
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, R&D departments, industrial laboratoriesManufacturing plants, process design facilities, industrial settings
Industry UsageDeveloping and testing catalysts, research, and developmentDesigning chemical processes, plant operations, and process optimization

While Catalyst Chemistry focuses on developing and understanding catalysts at a molecular level, Chemical Engineering involves designing and managing chemical processes and plants. Both roles require strong chemistry knowledge, but Catalyst Chemists are more research-oriented, whereas Chemical Engineers focus on process implementation and scale-up.

What does a catalyst do in chemistry?

A catalyst in chemistry is a substance that speeds up a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process. Catalyst chemists often work with reaction mechanisms, laboratory equipment, and safety protocols to develop and optimize catalytic processes for industrial applications.

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, particularly in catalysis, reaction mechanisms, and analytical techniques, usually supported by an advanced degree in chemistry or chemical engineering. Familiarity with laboratory instrumentation such as gas chromatography, spectroscopy, and computational modeling software is essential, and certifications in lab safety or specialized analytical methods can be valuable. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication skills set exceptional candidates apart. These skills and qualifications are crucial for designing efficient catalysts, ensuring accurate experimental results, and collaborating on innovative solutions in research and industry.
More about Catalyst Chemistry jobs
What cities are hiring for Catalyst Chemistry jobs? Cities with the most Catalyst Chemistry job openings:
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Catalyst Chemistry jobs near you
Infographic showing various Catalyst Chemistry job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 70% Full Time, 24% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 16% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $46,292 per year, or $22.3 per hour.

Postdoctoral Research Associate - Isayev Lab

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 11 days ago

Carnegie Mellon University rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 24 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

67th of 617 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Description
The Isayev Lab at Carnegie Mellon University invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher to lead projects at the interface of computational chemistry, machine learning, reaction mechanism elucidation, and automated molecular discovery. The position is ideal for a candidate who wants to turn deep mechanistic understanding into predictive models and closed-loop discovery workflows.
Our lab develops and applies machine learning methods for computational chemistry, materials science, and molecular discovery, including transferable neural network potentials, generative molecular design, and experiment-automation workflows. The postdoc will work in a collaborative CMU environment spanning computational chemistry, AI, automated experimentation, polymer chemistry, and catalysis.
Research directions may include:
Developing automated DFT / ML workflows for mechanistic studies of photoredox, organometallic, and radical catalytic reactions.
Building predictive models that connect quantum-chemical descriptors, catalyst structure, substrate scope, selectivity, and reaction performance.
Applying AIMNet2 and related ML/QM methods to accelerate conformer search, reaction-path exploration, catalyst screening, and high-throughput mechanistic modeling.
Designing closed-loop computational-experimental campaigns for transition metal catalysis, polymer synthesis, and related catalytic transformations.
Creating reusable, open, well-documented software workflows for reaction data generation, curation, featurization, and model deployment.
Collaborating with experimental groups at CMU and external partners to convert mechanistic hypotheses into experimentally testable predictions.
Qualifications
Desired background:
Ph.D. in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, or a related field.
Strong experience in computational reaction mechanisms, especially DFT studies of organic, organometallic, photoredox, radical, or homogeneous catalytic systems.
Fluency with Python and modern scientific computing workflows; experience with Git, HPC clusters, SLURM, Gaussian, ORCA, Q-Chem, xTB, RDKit, ASE, or related tools is highly valued.
Interest in machine learning, statistical modeling, active learning, descriptor development, or data-driven reaction prediction.
Ability to work closely with experimental collaborators and communicate mechanistic insight clearly.
Application Instructions
Applications, including a cover letter and a curriculum vitae indicating your interest and relevant training should be submitted electronically via Interfolio.

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