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Phd Chemist Jobs in Rochester, MN (NOW HIRING)

Phd Chemist information

See Rochester, MN salary details

$17

$31

$53

How much do phd chemist jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for phd chemist in Rochester, MN is $31.50, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.42 and $36.15 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a PhD chemist do?

A PhD Chemist conducts advanced research in chemistry, often working in laboratories to develop new materials, analyze substances, or solve complex chemical problems. They design and execute experiments, publish their findings in scientific journals, and may also teach or mentor students. PhD Chemists can work in academia, industry, government, or research institutions, contributing to innovations in fields like pharmaceuticals, materials science, and environmental science.

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

To thrive as a PhD Chemist, you need advanced knowledge in chemistry, strong analytical skills, and a doctoral degree in chemistry or a related field. Familiarity with laboratory instrumentation, chemical analysis software, and data interpretation tools like NMR, HPLC, and mass spectrometry is typically required. Exceptional problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help distinguish top performers in this role. These competencies are crucial for driving innovation, ensuring precise research outcomes, and collaborating successfully within scientific teams.

What are some common challenges PhD chemists face when transitioning from academia to industry roles?

PhD Chemists often encounter challenges such as adapting to faster-paced project timelines and collaborative, cross-functional teams in industry settings. Unlike academia, where research can be more exploratory, industry projects are typically goal-oriented with clear deliverables and commercial applications. Navigating intellectual property concerns, understanding regulatory requirements, and learning to communicate complex scientific concepts to non-technical stakeholders are also key adjustments. However, these challenges present valuable opportunities for skill growth and career advancement.

What is the difference between Phd Chemist vs Chemist?

AspectPhd ChemistChemist
Required CredentialsPhD in Chemistry or related fieldBachelor's or Master's in Chemistry or related field
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, academia, R&D departmentsIndustrial labs, manufacturing, quality control
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, government agencies, research institutionsPharmaceutical, chemical manufacturing, consumer goods

In summary, a Phd Chemist typically holds a doctoral degree and focuses on advanced research and development, often in academia or specialized industries. A Chemist usually has a bachelor's or master's degree and works in practical applications like product development, quality control, or manufacturing. Both roles are essential in the chemistry industry but differ mainly in education level and job focus.

What job categories do people searching Phd Chemist jobs in Rochester, MN look for?

The top searched job categories for Phd Chemist jobs in Rochester, MN are:

What cities near Rochester, MN are hiring for Phd Chemist jobs?

Cities near Rochester, MN with the most Phd Chemist job openings:

Infographic showing various Phd Chemist job openings in Rochester, MN as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $65,529 per year, or $31.5 per hour.

AI Training Specialist - Cheminformatics

micro1 AI

Rochester, MN • Remote

$80 - $110/hr

Part-time

Posted 28 days ago


Job description

Role Title: Computational Biology & Cheminformatics Expert


Role Type: Contractor


Location: Remote


micro1 is engaging Computational Biology & Cheminformatics Experts to contribute their expertise to a customer’s computational drug discovery project. In this role, you'll apply your expertise to help train next-generation AI systems. Your work will shape how models learn, reason, and perform through high-quality, real-world input. No prior experience in AI is required — your domain knowledge is what matters.


Scope of Work

  1. Analyze and interpret small-molecule and drug discovery datasets using advanced computational biology, bioinformatics, and cheminformatics methods.
  2. Curate, annotate, and validate chemical and biological datasets (e.g., ChEMBL, PubChem, DrugBank) to support AI-driven discovery platforms.
  3. Evaluate compound-target interactions, ADMET properties, and lead optimization strategies by integrating chemical, biological, and clinical data sources.
  4. Provide expert insights on structure-activity and structure-property relationships (SAR/SPR), medicinal chemistry approaches, and experimental design considerations.
  5. Build and implement code-based benchmark tasks (e.g., terminal/CLI-based environments) that reflect realistic computational drug discovery scenarios.
  6. Develop reproducible environments (e.g., using Docker) and automated testing pipelines to ensure task correctness and solvability.
  7. Assess and review AI-generated outputs for scientific rigor, accuracy, and practical relevance, delivering detailed written feedback and recommendations.


Preferred Qualifications

  1. Advanced expertise in Computational Biology, Cheminformatics, Medicinal Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related fields; advanced degree (PhD, MSc, PharmD) highly valued but not strictly required.
  2. Strong coding proficiency in Python (beyond analysis scripts), with hands-on experience building tools, pipelines, or testable code; familiarity with Git, GitHub, and Docker.
  3. Extensive experience with cheminformatics toolkits and platforms such as RDKit, KNIME, Schrödinger, OpenEye, or MOE.
  4. Proven track record in small-molecule drug discovery, SAR/QSAR evaluation, ADMET prediction, or virtual screening workflows.
  5. Comfort working with public chemical and bioactivity databases and integrating diverse datasets for scientific analysis.
  6. Demonstrated ability to clearly communicate complex chemical and biological concepts in written feedback and reports.
  7. Experience participating in multidisciplinary and/or remote projects; familiarity with AI-assisted coding tools is a plus.