Chemical Engineer Research And Development Jobs in Alabama

Position Summary

The R&D Laboratory Chemist is responsible for conducting laboratory testing, experimental research, analytical characterization, and process-development activities in support of research and development, product development, process optimization, and quality initiatives.

The position involves hands-on laboratory work with raw materials, intermediate products, and finished products, including sample preparation, chemical processing, instrumental analysis, data evaluation, troubleshooting, and technical reporting. The Chemist will work closely with R&D, Process Engineering, Operations, Quality, and external laboratories to support development programs and resolve technical issues.

For a graphite/materials laboratory, the role will specifically support the characterization and development of graphite materials, including particle-size modification, purification, coating, carbonization, and evaluation of physical and chemical properties.

Key Responsibilities

1. Research and Development

• Plan and conduct laboratory experiments supporting product and process development.
• Perform bench-scale studies to evaluate processing conditions, raw materials, and process modifications.
• Support development and optimization of graphite processing operations, including purification, coating, carbonization, screening, and related processes.
• Evaluate the effects of process conditions on product properties and performance.
• Develop experimental plans and assist with Design of Experiments (DOE) when appropriate.
• Identify technical problems, investigate root causes, and recommend corrective or improvement actions.
• Support scale-up of successful laboratory processes to pilot and production operations.
• Maintain detailed and traceable experimental records.

2. Laboratory Testing and Characterization

Perform or coordinate analytical and physical characterization of raw materials, intermediates, and finished products, including:

• Particle size distribution (PSD)
• BET specific surface area
• Tap and bulk density
• Moisture content
• Ash and fixed-carbon analysis
• ICP-OES elemental analysis
• X-ray diffraction (XRD)
• pH and conductivity
• Other physical and chemical characterization methods as required

Review analytical results for accuracy, consistency, and technical significance.

3. Sample Preparation and Chemical Processing

• Prepare samples for analytical testing and R&D experiments.
• Perform microwave acid digestion and other chemical sample-preparation procedures.
• Prepare acids, bases, standards, calibration solutions, and other laboratory reagents.
• Conduct laboratory-scale purification, leaching, washing, filtration, drying, heat-treatment, and related experiments.
• Conduct laboratory-scale pitch mixing, carbonization, and related experiments.
• Handle graphite and chemical reagents in accordance with established safety procedures.
• Maintain proper sample identification, labeling, storage, and traceability.

4. Data Analysis and Technical Reporting

• Analyze experimental and analytical data using Excel and other appropriate software.

• Perform statistical evaluation of laboratory results when required.
• Prepare tables, graphs, control charts, and technical summaries.
• Interpret relationships between processing conditions and material properties.
• Prepare laboratory reports, R&D reports, technical memoranda, and presentations.
• Clearly document experimental objectives, procedures, observations, results, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Maintain organized electronic and hard-copy laboratory records.

5. Quality Assurance and Laboratory Systems

• Follow established laboratory quality-control procedures.
• Use standards, blanks, duplicates, reference materials, and control samples as required.
• Review QC data and identify results requiring investigation or retesting.
• Maintain laboratory documentation and sample traceability.
• Participate in internal laboratory audits and corrective/preventive action activities.
• Support development and implementation of laboratory quality systems consistent with ISO 17025 principles where applicable.
• Assist with laboratory information management and electronic data-recording systems.

6. Laboratory Safety

• Follow all Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) requirements.
• Properly handle acids, bases, solvents, powders, and other laboratory chemicals.
• Follow appropriate procedures when operating furnaces, microwave digestion equipment, XRD systems, and other laboratory equipment.
• Maintain Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and appropriate chemical labeling.
• Use required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Participate in laboratory safety inspections and hazard assessments.
• Properly segregate, label, store, and dispose of laboratory wastes.
• Immediately report unsafe conditions, equipment problems, spills, and incidents.

Education and Experience

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Metallurgy, Mineral Processing, or a closely related scientific discipline.
• Laboratory experience involving chemical analysis, materials characterization, or process-development testing.
• Experience with laboratory sample preparation and wet-chemistry techniques.
• Ability to accurately document laboratory procedures and experimental results.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and general laboratory data management.

Preferred

• Master's degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Metallurgy, Mineral Processing, or related field.
• 2-5 years of industrial or R&D laboratory experience.
• Experience working with graphite, carbon materials, battery materials, minerals, or other advanced materials.
• Experience with ICP-OES, XRD, BET, PSD, SEM, or similar analytical techniques.
• Experience with laboratory-scale mineral processing or chemical purification.
• Experience developing SOPs and laboratory test methods.
• Familiarity with ISO 17025 or similar laboratory quality-management systems.

Knowledge and Skills

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Strong laboratory and experimental skills.
• Understanding of analytical chemistry and materials characterization.
• Ability to independently plan and execute laboratory experiments.
• Strong troubleshooting and root-cause-analysis skills.
• Ability to recognize questionable analytical results and investigate potential causes.
• Understanding of laboratory QA/QC practices.
• Strong attention to detail and data integrity.
• Ability to organize and manage multiple samples and projects simultaneously.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate technical results to scientists, engineers, management, and operations personnel.
• Ability to work independently while effectively collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.

Physical and Work Requirements

• Ability to work safely in a chemical and materials laboratory environment.
• Ability to wear required PPE, including safety glasses, laboratory coats, gloves, and respiratory protection when required.
• Ability to handle laboratory chemicals and powdered materials.
• Ability to lift and move laboratory samples and containers up to approximately 25-50 lb., as permitted by company safety requirements.
• Ability to perform laboratory work involving standing, sample preparation, equipment operation, and repetitive measurements.
• Occasional work outside normal laboratory hours may be required to support time-dependent experiments or equipment operation.

Westwater Resources and its subsidiaries are an Equal Opportunity Employer- and a drug - free workplace.