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Head Of Chemistry Jobs (NOW HIRING)

SASHCO INC

Head of Chemistry R&D (47981)

Thornton, CO · On-site

Are you deep in polymer chemistry? Do you like formulation? As the Head of R&D and a Leadership Team member, we need your energy, creativity, and wisdom. Generate successful pathways to team growth ...

Merck Group

Head of Science Operations

Billerica, MA · On-site

Reporting directly to the head of AIDD, this is a senior scientific leadership role with direct ... PhD in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related field * At ...

Starpath Robotics

Head of Talent

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$170 - $260/hr

Head of Talent Position Details Location: Los Angeles (Hawthorne), CA Employment Type: Full-time ... Build sourcing pipelines for specialized aerospace and hardware roles across engineering, chemistry ...

Starpath Robotics Inc.

Head of Talent

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$180 - $240/hr

Head of Talent Position Details Location: Los Angeles (Hawthorne), CA Employment Type: Full-time ... Build sourcing pipelines for specialized aerospace and hardware roles across engineering, chemistry ...

Starpath

Head of Talent

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$140K - $200K/yr

Head of Talent Position Details Location: Los Angeles (Hawthorne), CA Employment Type: Full-time ... Build sourcing pipelines for specialized aerospace and hardware roles across engineering, chemistry ...

Socket.dev

Head of Talent

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$180 - $240/hr

Head of TalentPosition Details Location: Los Angeles (Hawthorne), CA Employment Type: Full-time ... Build sourcing pipelines for specialized aerospace and hardware roles across engineering, chemistry ...

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Head Of Chemistry information

What are the main challenges a head of chemistry faces when leading a diverse research team?

As a Head of Chemistry, one common challenge is balancing the strategic direction of the department with the day-to-day needs of a diverse team of researchers. This role requires fostering collaboration among chemists with varying specializations, ensuring clear communication, and aligning individual projects with organizational goals. Additionally, the Head of Chemistry must stay updated on industry advancements, manage budgets, and ensure compliance with safety and regulatory standards. Effective leadership and adaptability are key to navigating these complex responsibilities.

What is the difference between Head Of Chemistry vs Chemist?

AspectHead Of ChemistryChemist
Required CredentialsAdvanced degree (Master's/PhD), leadership experienceBachelor's or Master's in Chemistry
Work EnvironmentManagement, strategic planning, overseeing teamsLaboratory research, experimentation, analysis
Employer & Industry UsageResearch institutions, pharmaceutical companies, chemical manufacturingResearch labs, manufacturing, quality control
Common Search & ComparisonLeadership, management, strategic rolesTechnical, research-focused roles

The Head Of Chemistry typically holds a leadership position overseeing chemistry teams and strategic projects, requiring advanced degrees and management experience. In contrast, a Chemist focuses on hands-on research and laboratory work, usually with a bachelor's or master's degree. Both roles are integral in the chemical industry but differ in responsibilities, work environment, and career focus.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a head of chemistry, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Head Of Chemistry, you need an advanced degree in chemistry or a related field, a strong background in research, and significant experience in laboratory management. Familiarity with analytical instruments, laboratory information management systems (LIMS), and relevant safety certifications is typically required. Exceptional leadership, communication, and project management skills help in guiding research teams and collaborating with other departments. These skills and qualifications are crucial for ensuring scientific excellence, regulatory compliance, and the successful delivery of research objectives.

What does a head of chemistry do?

A Head of Chemistry leads and manages the chemistry department within an organization, such as a research institution, pharmaceutical company, or educational facility. They oversee research projects, coordinate teams of chemists, and ensure that all laboratory activities comply with safety and regulatory standards. Additionally, they are responsible for budgeting, resource allocation, and often play a key role in strategic planning and collaboration with other departments. Their work ensures that scientific goals are achieved efficiently and that the department remains at the forefront of innovation.

What cities are hiring for Head Of Chemistry jobs?

Cities with the most Head Of Chemistry job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Of Chemistry jobs?

The most popular types of Of Chemistry jobs are:

What states have the most Head Of Chemistry jobs?

States with the most job openings for Head Of Chemistry jobs include:

Head Of Chemistry jobs near you
Infographic showing various Head Of Chemistry job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution.

Senior Director / Vice President, Chemistry Experiment

Lila Sciences

Cambridge, MA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 12 days ago

Job description

Your Impact at LILA

The Head of Chemistry will lead Lila's chemistry organization, establishing the strategic direction and team leadership that enables Chemistry to drive impact across all of Lila's discovery and platform efforts. This leader will build an experimental chemistry function spanning organic and inorganic chemistry, molecules and nanoparticles, discovery and process chemistry, synthetic and analytical methods, and target technologies spanning medicines to industrial chemistry.

The Head of Chemistry will lead Lila's experimental chemistry strategy in conjunction with senior advisors and will work closely with Lila's Product, AI, and Engineering leadership to establish AI-informing and AI-driven experimentation to address humankind's greatest challenges. The successful candidate will cultivate the culture and scientific rigor that define excellence in chemistry at Lila and scale the Chemistry team to tackle the breadth of opportunities afforded by Lila's development of scientific superintelligence.

The Head of Chemistry will report directly to the Chief Autonomous Science Officer, expanding Lila's team of science, engineering, and business leaders.

What You'll Be Building

Organization & Team Leadership

Chemistry Strategy & Innovation

What You'll Need to Succeed

  • PhD in Chemistry or a closely related discipline with 12+ years of experience in chemistry research
  • Demonstrated excellence building and leading high-performing chemistry teams, including hiring, mentoring, and developing scientists across multiple levels.
  • Deep expertise in molecular chemistry: synthetic organic/inorganic and nanochemistry, retrosynthesis, route design, and practical execution of complex multistep syntheses.
  • Experience in process chemistry, formulation development, and analytical chemistry.
  • Ability to evaluate synthetic feasibility alongside innovation potential to prioritize molecules and chemical series effectively.
  • Experience defining chemistry strategy and priorities with a passion for cross-functional collaboration
  • Experience working effectively in highly interdisciplinary environments spanning chemistry, materials science, biology, automation, and computational sciences.
  • Track record of scientific leadership, program delivery, and translating discoveries to commercializable solutions.
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; ability to translate chemistry depth into strategic clarity for diverse audiences.
  • Demonstrated ability to build inclusive, high-trust team cultures that attract and retain top talent in competitive chemistry markets.

Bonus Points For

  • Experience working in AI-enabled discovery environments or integrating computational design and machine learning insights into chemistry workflows.
  • Experience building and scaling automated, robotics-enabled, or high-throughput chemistry platforms for molecular synthesis and optimization.
  • Experience translating chemistry needs into platform requirements, including instrumentation selection, workflow design, and integration with automated systems.
  • Broad understanding of molecular design principles across therapeutics and other small-molecule innovation areas.
  • Experience operating in fast-paced, technology-driven environments where scientific creativity, speed, and cross-functional execution are critical.
  • Prior leadership experience at a growth-stage chemistry, biotech, or other deep-tech company.

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